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This page was last updated at Sunday, November 1, 2009

Fawley Refinery - Conservation volunteers get helping hand

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A long term project to improve and maintain an area of outstanding historic parkland on the river Hamble, has been given a welcome boost thanks to the commitment of one of its volunteers.

 

The Friends of Holly Hill Woodland Park have received a grant of £750 to buy materials, provide training and to help towards insurance costs, from Esso and ExxonMobil Chemical at Fawley in recognition of the time and effort one employee has put into volunteering with the group.

 

The park, which is owned by Fareham Borough Council, has 35 hectares of open space for the enjoyment of the community.

 

The Friends of Holly Hill are all volunteers who work on conservation projects within the park.

 

The money has been donated under a special scheme designed to recognise the efforts of ExxonMobil employees and their families who contribute their time, talent and energy to schools, charities and non-profit making organisations.

 

The scheme not only helps local organisations, but also improves the links between ExxonMobil and the local community.

 

The grant applicant was Simon Batten, who is a mechanical reliability leader at Fawley’s Marine Terminal.

 

He has been involved with the Friends of Holly Hill since it was formed in 2001 and is currently the chairman of the group.

 

Simon said: “Holly Hill is enjoyed by dog walkers, families and schools in the area but as well as being a wonderful public open space, it is also an important haven for wildlife.

 

“The Friends of Holly Hill are out there in all weathers carrying out essential work to ensure visitors get the most of this wonderful resource.”

 

The ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Programme at Fawley, together with its sister scheme for school governors, has so far contributed more than £370,000 to local community projects, since it was started six years ago.

 

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