Volunteer Profile: Kate Dominey

Monday 25th November 2019

Name: Kate Dominey

Which area do you volunteer in?

Garden

When did you first start volunteering at CET?

April 2017

Give an example of a task you might undertake as part of your volunteering

Harvesting produce we had planted earlier in the year, which then goes to the kitchen to be cooked for meals so the children staying at the CET can enjoy and/or be introduced to for the first time – a perfect example of ‘field/farm to fork’ and educating children where food actually comes from i.e. not just from a supermarket shelf, which I think is very important.

What has been your most memorable day at CET and why?

Impossible to select just one memorable day as I enjoy the variety of different tasks during the year, from sowing vegetable seeds to gathering the crops and everything in-between. I do enjoy the bonfires for non-compostable vegetation though! Also, it’s really nice to meet up with the other volunteers.

What is your favourite thing about the CET?

Being part of such a wonderful and worthwhile organisation and that I can play a small but hopefully important role in helping the CET. The staff are so knowledgeable and inspirational that one cannot fail to be amazed and motivated by their broad range of facts.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?

Saving a bee’s life with sugar water! A fact I learnt at the CET and put into practice not long after when a queen bee in my garden at home was clearly struggling and seemed to have almost no life left. I made a tiny solution which, and please excuse the pun, she made a beeline for and appeared to relish …she recovered her strength and eventually flew away.

Where is your favourite place in the world?

It may not be an exotic location but the Highlands of Scotland are wonderful for its dramatic scenery and seeing wildlife; from the impressive large golden eagle to the small and charming red squirrel.

What is your favourite animal and why?

I think it has to be the little Southdown sheep at the CET. Their sweet teddy bear faces are incredibly cute.

What do you love about the outdoors?

Being close to nature and observing the seasons change whilst in the great outdoors is lovely.

What is your favourite memory of being in the outdoors from your childhood?

When I was about 7 to 8 years old, a couple of friends and I would regularly go to a local farm just a short walk away from home. I used to really enjoy this and went as often as possible. We would help the farmer round up his herd of cows for milking. Also collecting the eggs from the chickens. As a child, I felt like a real farmer at the time.

If you could swap places with anyone for 24 hours, who would it be and why?

Sir David Attenborough for his incredible knowledge and wisdom and gain a little understanding of his life.