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Volunteers Rechalk Cerne Abbas Giant, Raise £330K for Butterflies

5/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

National Trust volunteers are applying 17 tonnes of fresh chalk to the Cerne Abbas Giant, the first in seven years.
Ranger Luke Dawson says around 300 staff and volunteers are rechalking the 55-metre figure because winter rains wash chalk and damp summers foster algae.
Public donations have raised £330,000 to purchase 138 hectares of chalk grassland, protecting the Duke of Burgundy butterfly.

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Story summary

National Trust volunteers are applying 17 tonnes of fresh chalk to the Cerne Abbas Giant, the first in seven years.
Ranger Luke Dawson says around 300 staff and volunteers are rechalking the 55-metre figure because winter rains wash chalk and damp summers foster algae.
Public donations have raised £330,000 to purchase 138 hectares of chalk grassland, protecting the Duke of Burgundy butterfly.