Country-loving group up for national award

Reporter: Ken Bennett
Date published: 28 October 2014


A volunteer youth group which appeared on BBC1’s “Countryfile” has been shortlisted for a major national award.

Dovestone Youth Group is in the running to receive a 2014 UK National Parks Volunteer Group award.

The 11 to 19-year-olds meet every Sunday to plan projects and activities at Dovestone Reservoir above Greenfield. They have taken part in a number of conservation projects, including tree planting, pond digging, outdoor pursuits, conservation and research, filming wildlife, environmental clean-ups and the Peak District Youth Award.

The youngsters featured in “Countryfile”, alongside presenter Ellie Harrison, last December.

Ellie spent a day filming the youth group, which had been working for more than a year with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and United Utilities to help protect the reservoir’s wildlife and environment. The project was spotted by the BBC and selected to feature in a Peak District special.

After filming, Ellie said: “The group are really fantastic. Saddleworth is a really special place. It’s superbly stunning, a marvellous environment.”

The winners of the group and project awards will receive a £1,000 bursary to help with future volunteering activity. The winners will be announced in November.