THE commitment of several long-serving supporters of the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust has been recognised as the organisation celebrates a landmark year.

Thirteen of the trust’s volunteers, who have racked up a combined 360 years of service, took part in a tree-planting ceremony at Tiddesley Wood nature reserve, near Pershore, marking 100 years of the Wildlife Trusts movement.

Among those honoured were Claire Turner, of Hallow, near Worcester, who has played a leading role in managing Monkwood nature reserve, just north of Worcester, since the 1980s and has undertaken many surveys and provided support to colleagues.

Others involved included Ray Bishop, of Malvern Link, a long-standing contributor, especially as an illustrator, to the organisation’s publications; Arthur Cundall, of Pershore, who has been the manager of Tunnel Hill nature reserve, near Evesham, since 1979 and Lynda Reid, also of Pershore, who is the longest-serving volunteer at the trust’s headquarters.

The loyal volunteers will also be receiving special centenary awards at a garden party this summer.

Graham Martin, chairman of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s governing council, said: “These volunteers that we are honouring are an inspiration to us all.

“Volunteering can be hard work and, when you get home covered in bramble scratches from all the scrub you’ve cleared, you sometimes wonder why you do it.

But you only have to talk to any one of our volunteers to discover that it’s very rewarding and, what’s more, you’re putting something back – helping wildlife and helping to give us all a brighter future.”

The trees will form part of a new orchard. For more information about the trust and volunteering, visit worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/volunteer.