A team of 10 volunteers and two dogs joined Shrewsbury Town Council’s countryside team at Copthorne Park on Wednesday 12 August to help protect the park’s valuable wetland habitat.
The volunteering task brought together the Town Council’s regular volunteers and members of the Friends of Copthorne group, which is made up of local residents who care about the park and the surrounding area.
The volunteers worked alongside the countryside team to remove willow coppices which had developed from shoots growing from the ground and existing trees. Willow is a particularly vigorous species, and if left unchecked, can quickly spread and become established across the area.
The work will reduce the size of the willow and help protect the wetland habitat found in the ditches below. Cutting back the willow allows more light into the area, helping to prevent the habitat from drying out and creating better conditions for the plants, insects and other creatures that depend on it.
The work also helps prevent the willow from encroaching into the hay meadows within Copthorne Park, protecting these important areas of grassland.
Drew Ganley, Countryside Operative for Shrewsbury Town Council, said:
Willow is a fantastic tree for wildlife, but it is also incredibly vigorous and can quickly take over an area if it isn’t managed. By cutting it back, we’re helping to keep the ditches wet and healthy while protecting the hay meadows from being gradually taken over.
It’s great to have our regular volunteers and members of the Friends of Copthorne group working alongside us. This is an important piece of annual maintenance and the support we receive from local people makes a real difference.”
Shrewsbury Town Council carried out similar work at Copthorne Park in 2025, with regular volunteering tasks needed each year to keep on top of the willow growth and maintain the park’s habitats.
The willow cut during the task will also have a second life, with volunteers invited to take some of it home to use for projects such as basket weaving and other DIY crafts.
Steve Priestley, a local resident who volunteered at the event, said:
“It’s been really good to come along and support the Town Council and help look after an area that is enjoyed by so many local people. It’s great to see residents and the countryside team working together, and I’m already looking forward to getting involved in the next volunteering events.”
Shrewsbury Town Council regularly works with volunteers to support the management and improvement of its parks, countryside sites and open spaces.
Anyone interested in volunteering at future events can contact Shrewsbury Town Council by emailing enquiries@shrewsburytowncouncil.gov.uk.
