Climbers from around the country will be descending on Symonds Yat for a weekend in March to give the cliffs and surrounding areas an extreme make over.

The cliffs and surrounding areas at Symonds Yat East are owned by the Forestry Commission who allow climbers access to hundreds of climbing routes. They are regionally, if not nationally important, and are home to plant species found in only a handful of places in the world. They do though need some looking after to ensure their continued safe use and enjoyment by all.

Building upon last year’s fantastic first event, YatFest is back for a second time and will see climbers from all over the country descending upon the valley volunteering to pick up litter, checking the safety and condition of climbs and surveying for the extremely rare Carboniferous Hawkweed that lives on the limestone cliffs here.

This year they will be focusing efforts on the iconic Symonds Yat Longstone, a rare inland limestone pinnacle that towers over the valley, but which is unfortunately is starting to be lost to the invasive ivy that is choking out the rare flora.

The event will take place over the weekend of March 24th and 25th, but volunteers need not attend for both days, just as much or as little time as they can give.

The organisers are asking volunteers to arrive at 9.15am on each day for a safety brief by the cafe and non-climbers of all ages are very welcome.

Trekkit, the Hereford based outdoor shop, have kindly agreed to sponsor the event again and will be providing very generous freebies for anyone volunteering.

More details can be found on: www.facebook.com/events/326961074480206/