If you go down to the woods today

Yet another landmark in Harlow's 60th birthday celebrations is the unveiling of a new entrance board at Parndon Wood Nature Reserve, and the planting of some trees - which is also timely as it's currently National Tree Week. I've been asked to do the honours, and to arrive suitably dressed.

Darren, the council's biodiversity manager, is there to greet me, and introduces me to the Harlow Conservation Volunteers, who are on a well-deserved tea break in the conservation centre at the reserve. They tell me all about their work, not just at Parndon Wood, but also at Marshgate Spring, Hawkenbury, and even as far out as Stansted. Their fortnightly Sunday schedule is written up on the whiteboard in the kitchen, and certainly looks varied.

The local press photographer arrives just before one o'clock, and with the help of Julia (nine) and Gemma (five) I unveil the entrance board. It's been made by local art group Creative Space, working with prints done by local children, and is a very attractive and welcoming feature of the entrance to the reserve.

Then it's up to the top of the ridge line between Harlow and Epping, up beyond the top of the crematorium, where the new Sixty Year Wood is being planted to join up Hospital & Risdens Wood with Parndon Wood. Again with Julia and Gemma's help, I plant one of the new trees; then we have a photograph with the conservation volunteers and the new "Harlow 60 Years Wood" nameboard carefully carved by Andrew, one of the conservation volunteers.

On the way down, Darren tells me a little about the history of the wood, including the fact that in the early years of World War II a V2 landed in the wood, leaving a crater. We're also lucky enough to see some of the deer, and Gemma and Julia are excellent guides, telling me about the hides and what you can see from them. The nature reserve also sells charcoal, and can be used for children's birthday parties.

Finally, I meet Sandra, who has come along for the day to try a bit of volunteering to see if it suits her. Who knows, it might be something for you, too?