WHEN Dennis Farrell began volunteering for an environmental group his life changed.

“When I retired I was not making the best use of my time,” says the former maths teacher. “I could not find anything to do so I began looking for voluntary work. I found a lot of it very bureaucratic which was off-putting.”

By chance, Bradford Environmental Education Service (BEES) was working on a project near his wife’s workplace and, from what she saw, she thought that Dennis might enjoy it.

He got in touch and soon found himself at the rear of Thornton Primary School, on the site of the decommissioned railway line. “We were helping to clear vegetation to make a cycle path. I was amazed by the number of volunteers - many were European students living in England for a year. It was lovely to meet them and find out about their countries. I was hooked straight away.”

Since then Dennis, of Shipley, has been involved in tasks including tree pruning, hedge laying, making raised beds and dry stone walling.

“I thoroughly enjoy it. After 28 years in a classroom it has been a complete change,” he says.

BEES has been delivering environmental education services in the district for 35 years. Its work includes a conservation volunteer programme, helping to maintain local areas while giving people interested in nature conservation the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment.

“Anyone aged over 16 can get involved,” says BEES environmental project worker Julia Pearson. “It gives people a chance to learn about their natural environment and help with practical tasks, as well as meeting other people and making friends.”

On Friday a number of people will gather in an orchard on an allotment site in Bradford.

They will help to take part in general spring maintenance tasks such as feeding the trees with compost and mulch and tackling weeds.

The group will also take stock of work that needs doing in the months ahead at the ‘blossom day’ event at Bowling’ Park Community Orchard, which is managed by Bradford Environmental Education Service (BEES), part of Bradford YMCA.

“We will be involved in tasks such as tending trees and relocating compost bins,” says Julia. “It is an open event where anyone can turn up and volunteer to help.”

BEES offer a variety of services to schools, community groups, businesses, ‘friends of’ groups and the public. Organisations approach BEES with projects they may be able to assist with. There is a charge for most of its services, but the cost varies widely depending on the scale of the project

Helped by volunteers, the organisation is next week helping build a bridge over a pond in the grounds of Lower Fields Primary School in Fenby Avenue.

“It will replace an old bridge that has rotted away and will enable children to take part in activities such as pond dipping and environmental education.”

Anyone interested in volunteering - ages of present volunteers range from 20 to 75 - to work with BEES on such projects in the long-term should contact BEES who will organise an introductory meeting.

“The work is varied, according to the season,” says Julia. Most of the projects last around three months.

Summer will see volunteers working in Northcliffe Woods in Shipley, supporting the Friends of Northcliffe.

“We will be helping with conservation work, such as clearing invasive species,” says Julia. The removal of Himalayan balsam is vital to prevent it spreading and killing native plants.

“We are helping to manage sites that are good for wildlife, improve biodiversity and are great for people to visit.”

She adds: “Volunteering gives people a chance to learn skills and to develop their cv. It is also a very social group. We carry out annual surveys among volunteers and the social aspect comes over very strongly.”

The group is working with Bradford Council to clear bracken on Baildon Moor to encourage the growth of underlying moorland plants and increase habitats.

Equipment, including tools, is provided, as are waterproof clothing and light refreshments.

“All we ask of the volunteers is that they turn up,” adds Julia.

For Dennis, volunteering has opened up new chapters in his life: dry stone walling prompted him to enrol on a course at Craven College, to master the art. “Now I am a qualified dry stone waller, and have done work for the National Trust and the Canal & River Trust.”

“My dad was a bricklayer and said he would never want me to build walls, he would be quite surprised,” he adds.

*To volunteer with BEES visit bees-ymca.org.uk T: 1274 371303 E: bees@bradfordymca.org.uk