Siemens team help restore Woodhall Lake

Despite relocating from Bradford to Leeds recently, a team from Siemens Mechanical Drives returned to Woodhall Lake near Calverley to complete a planting and clearing challenge.

The challenge was to plant 1500 wildflower bulbs, the results of which will be enjoyed by next year’s visitors to the lake, as well as to reinstate some steps leading to the lake and to clear footpaths and remove litter. The day of the clear-up brought some very heavy rain, but the team completed their challenge and were thanked by Dan Malster, of Leeds City Council’s Parks and Countryside Ranger Team and the ‘friends of’ Woodhall Lake.

Siemens Mechanical Drives staff volunteer for various community projects around the local area and had committed to the Woodhall work before relocating their nearby Leeds Road factory to larger premises in Leeds earlier in the year. The Woodhall team comprised team leader Dave Pratt, Jane Hobson, Dave Howard, Alan Law, Alan Harrison, Mark Paley, Richard Heaton and Mick Baxter.

Woodhall Lake backs onto the old Siemens factory and is owned by Bradford City Council, leased to Bradford University and managed by Leeds City Council Leisure Services Department. The 0.8 hectare lake and surrounding woodland contains rare examples of black poplar trees. It is used for informal recreation and fishing.

Dave Pratt of Siemens commented on the work their team had carried out: “We managed to clear a lot of footpaths and steps, despite the bad weather that day. We didn’t think we’d manage to plant 1500 wildflower bulbs, but as they say, many hands make light work. We hope people will enjoy the results in the coming months.”

ENDS

PHOTO-CAPTION: The Siemens team beside some reinstated steps at Woodhall Lake

About Siemens Industry Automation & Drive Technologies
Siemens Industry Automation & Drive Technologies employs 2000 people in the UK, working with customers in a wide range of industries from automotive and chemical to aerospace, food and construction. Products supplied by Industry Automation & Drive Technologies include standard products for the manufacturing and process industries and for the electrical installation industry, as well as system solutions and total solutions for industries such as the automation of entire automobile plants.

Siemens was established in the United Kingdom over 160 years ago and employs around 20,000 people in the UK (over 475,000 worldwide), including about 5,000 in the UK manufacturing sector. Last year’s UK revenues were £3.5 billion (just over Euros 87bn worldwide), including £580 million in exports. Siemens provides innovative, high-quality services and solutions to customers in a diverse range of industry sectors, including power, automation and control, information and communication, medical, transportation, lighting, and household. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK.

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