Last month, the Spitfire Doors Team made their way into the great outdoors to one of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust reserves.

Here they learnt about the nature of the place and to get involved with helping the trust.

At the Lovell Quinta Arboretum in Cheshire, the Spitfire Team met three members of the Trust who explained a little about the wildlife around Swettenham.

Also, the type of homes the wildlife needed to maintain the species around the area.

As bronze corporate members of the Trust, Spitfire Doors were invited to take part in kestrel box and willow tit box building activity by the Trust.

The Spitfire Doors Team began by splitting further into two teams; the boys and the girls.

The boys busily dismantled old wooden pallets whilst the girls removed any leftover rusty nails.

Once completed, the boys set set to work designing their grand masterpiece.

Meanwhile, the girls decided to let their artistic side come out by painting a pre-built kestrel box in camouflage colours.

Whilst drying (and the noises of power saws, hammering and head scratching could audibly be heard from the workshop) the girl headed out onto the reserve with the Cheshire Wildlife Trust to learn a little about the work that goes into the Swettenham Reserve.

As well as spotting Wild Orchids, the team discovered there are many different species of wildlife that call Swettenham home.

As well as willow tits and kestrels, the reserve hosts an array of different species of birds.

Something which can be heard as you take a stroll through the picturesque tree-lined corridor to the paths.

A lot of care goes into the maintenance of the reserve, which is evident as you walk amongst the woodlands.

Natural drains are in place to prevent flooding of the paths and the fences are top quality durable posts.

Helpful when shifting livestock from field to field.

Once back at the workshop it was evident that the boys had completed their kestrel box masterpiece.

In what is undoubtedly considered to be the most impressive kestrel box ever created, the boys debuted their hard work to a round of applause.

The next task was to decorate, so everyone picked up a brush and contributed to the final design.

The whole day well enjoyed by both the Spitfire Doors Team and the cheshire Wildlife Trust and we look forwards to continuing our support of the Trusts hard work.

Why we support Cheshire Wildlife Trust

David Richards, Chairman of Spitfire Doors, was looking to support a local charity and the endless work the Cheshire Wildlife Trust do across the county appealed to him as an animal lover:

“I was keen for us to support a local nature charity, to help protect vulnerable animal species and fauna.

The Cheshire Wildlife Trust is totally committed to the cause and they allow our team members to get involved on away day, which broadens their understanding of nature and helps with team building and relaxation.”

How you can get involved

There are plenty of ways you can get involved in helping the progress of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

As well as volunteering at one of their several reserves, you can help the Trust by donating, fundraising or even joining in on wildlife preserving activities, like we did.

To find out more about what you can do to help please visit: http://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/how-you-can-help