Standing in a wonderful piece of flower rich limestone grassland, I could have been anywhere in Cotswolds rather than only three miles from Stroud. The valleys and coombs around Chalford are a precious hidden landscape which only the curious or those lost because of a confused SatNav are likely to experience. The effort that Margaret and I had put in (SatNav notwithstanding) was well worth it. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trusts’s nature reserves at Strawberry Banks and Three Groves Wood are absolute gems.
Strawberry Banks, which is managed in cooperation with the very committed owners, the Shorts, was the most fascinating on the night as dozens of common blue butterflies were flitting around our feet. This is not any exaggeration; I counted 12 butterflies within a few feet of me, remarkable!
I was actually working, although it was more pleasure than pain. The Trust has started to hold meetings with its newer members to help them to learn more about our work and to enjoy the wonderful nature reserves that their subscriptions support. Last week, through the hard work of Membership Development Manager, Alice and her team, over 50 members were greeted and shown around by a bunch of our hard working staff.
Two walking groups set off down through Far Oakridge towards the reserves. Each group had an expert guide; Jeremy Doe or Pete Bradshaw. I was in Pete’s group and I learned a lot, nature reserve management is more sophisticated than it used to be! After our 90 minute ramble we reassembled at the Butcher’s Arms for excellent refreshment and a short talk. All very pleasant.
The Trust has over 24500 members, making it one of the largest in the country. It is its members that have shaped and supported its strategies and actions over the last five decades. Last night it was clear why the Trust is still so well supported; effective local action for local wildlife by a local organisation. David Cameron could learn a lot from the Wildlife Trusts!
No comments:
Post a Comment