DOVES (Darlington Open Spaces Volunteer Environment Scheme). Established in 2017, DOVES had a clear and ambitious mission: They want every green space in Darlington to have a friend.

History of DOVES

Darlington Open Spaces Volunteers Environment Scheme DOVES has changed little from its original intent agreed at the inaugural meeting held 15th June 2017.

The original intent in summary

• Contribute to the maintaining and improving parks, green and open spaces.

• Arrange Public liability insurance 

• Provide Supportive network

• Act as a friendly forum 

• As time passed this was developed into the constitution we have today.

Prior to the DOVES groups were mostly set up with the active support of a team of Council staff, led by Rob George, whose role was to oversee the maintenance of established, statutory Local Nature Reserves and the planning and development of new community woodlands, parks and green corridors – usually in association with, and funded by, new housing developments. Work included Rockwell scheme to de-canalise and naturalise the River Skerne and Maidendale Fishing and Nature Reserve near the new at the time Firthmoor housing estate.

By 2016 all Councils were under extreme financial pressure because of cuts in funding from  Central Government and Rob George’s post could no longer be sustained. On 10th March 2016 Paul Harman organised a Green Conference attended by 36 people, including councillors and representatives of 15 groups. A proposal to set up an incorporated body to manage both green spaces and litter management in Darlington the meeting voted against this with these services remaining with Darlington Borough Council.

The Council later invited an experienced community organiser Susan Antrobus from Tees Valley Wildlife Trust to find a way for volunteers to be supported by the Council when working on green spaces. It was agreed to set up DOVES as a forum and channel for financial support for Public Liability Insurance payments to the groups. The first Chair for the doves was David Preston and for the last four years Paul Harman keeping DOVES together and moving forward.

Brian Graham spoke at the inaugural meeting and still supports DOVES through funding for insurance. Pippa Smaling Parks, Allotments and Countryside Ranger has also supported the DOVES from the start.

DOVES is still committed to finding solutions to the many challenges that face the Council and our voluntary organisations and welcomes support from all in the community. Next year 2027 will be DOVES 10th anniversary.