Friends of Brierdene The Friends of Brierdene

The Friends of Brierdene started their conservation work in October 2006, but the Friends were formed much earlier from a group of local residents interested in try to improve the local area known as the Brierdene.

Our long-term aim is to restore and improve the biodiversity in the Brierdene, with the advice and support from North Tyneside Council. To achieve this Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Environmental Agency and Butterfly Conservation have been consulted on the conservation work.

The Friends of Brierdene have an elected committee which meets monthly, to discuss and plan the conservation work and general running of the group. A nominal membership fee is charged, which covers insurance for the working parties and general running costs of the group.

The groups patron is the BBC presenter Marian Foster, who actively supports us through her gardening programme on BBC Radio Newcastle.

The Friends of Brierdene were the Community Group Award Winners in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle Environment Awards 2008, more details on Major Events Page.

Because of the size of the Brierdene all major projects undertaken require to be grant funded. North Tyneside Council has supported us by supplying some of the trees, meadow seeds, wild flower plugs and skips.
Our major funding has been grants from the BBC Breathing Places Big Lottery Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, North Tyneside Council, AkzoNobel, Northumbrian Water Authority, Community Foundation Grass Roots Grants and the Postcode Lottery Fund.

We are working with various local schools, where we can arrange a day's conservation activities, from hands on work to Bug hunts. We also provide conservation work for the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.

The conservation work in the Brierdene is carried out by volunteers.

If you would like to volunteer, the Friends of Brierdene working parties meet every Wednesday and Saturday from 1000 to 1200.

Just come along to the car park at the Eastern end of the Brierdene and ask for Steve.

For any further details please contact us.