Power workers get their hands dirty

ENERGY workers from Ipswich left their desks behind and got their hands dirty to improve a wildlife habitat in Suffolk.A total of 17 employees from EDF Energy Networks teamed up with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust last week.

ENERGY workers from Ipswich left their desks behind and got their hands dirty to improve a wildlife habitat in Suffolk.

A total of 17 employees from EDF Energy Networks teamed up with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust last week.

During the two-day project, the volunteers spruced up an area of land on the north bank of the River Alde between Snape Maltings and Snape village.

The area provides a mosaic of natural homes to an array of wildlife including water voles, otters and lizards.

John Bushnell, business operations team manager for EDF, said: “It was really hard work and we certainly got our hands dirty. I hope our efforts will benefit both visitors and wildlife in the future.”

The EDF workers, based in Fore Hamlet, improved a pathway which was prone to flooding and cleared overgrown willow and brambles in a field to attract a variety of birds.

And they were even lucky enough to hear the call of a Cetti's warbler and saw a barn owl.

The work is part of EDF Energy's Helping Hands community volunteering scheme, which allows every member of staff at least two days off company time a year to support community and environmental projects.