62
Why do you give up your time for the National Trust? I love the role; I was an infant teacher so I can talk for England! My husband likes it on the days when I’m at Coleton – he says I’m quieter in the evening because I’ve talked so much during the day! I like art deco, I like Gilbert and Sullivan and I like National Trust properties.
Do you have many National Trust get-togethers? Yes, we have a big jamboree at the beginning of the year where all staff and volunteers meet, it’s like a mini
conference. There are a lot of us as we are ‘The Riveria Group’ which consists of Greenway, Coleton, Compton Castle and Bradley Manor in Newton Abbot. We also have a big Christmas party and a summer BBQ and picnic. They keep us well informed of any news and events through a weekly newsletter.
What do you do during the months Coleton Fishacre is closed? I have quite a few other things to keep me busy. I am chairman of Dartmouth U3A (University of the
Third Age), I sing in Dartmouth Rock Choir and I have two children and five grandchildren!
How would people describe you: Determined, vivacious and friendly.
What is the first thing you do when you wake up? Wait for my husband to bring me an orange juice!
Best childhood memory: Family holidays in North Devon.
Naughty snack of choice: Chocolate biscuits.
Jon Lock VOLUNTEER WITH THE RANGER TEAM
here along the coast path, so I’m very aware of the National Trust’s work. I’ve always been impressed with the way they look after our beautiful landscape so I felt it was time I gave something back.
What does the ranger team do? We maintain the National Trust land outside of its houses or gardens. We are responsible for things like keeping footpaths accessible (cutting back bracken and brambles and repairing steps) and for managing the land for wildlife conservation. The majority of our work takes place on the coastal area between Kingswear and Brixham.
How do you help conserve wildlife? One project involves us working with the RSPB and local farmers to improve the habitat for the cirl bunting (an endangered farmland bird) whose numbers are now starting to rise again in South Devon.
How often do you go out with the team? I try to go out once a week. I’ve been a volunteer ranger for nearly two years.
Why did you sign up? I’m a keen walker and have spent years walking in Scotland and down
Is it hard work? It can be, yes, especially if we are working on a steep rocky slope. Some areas are quite remote so it takes a while to even get there before we can start work! There are four full time rangers, three men and one woman, and four or five volunteers and we always work in pairs, or groups, never alone.
Do you get to use powerful bits of kit? Sometimes, but you need to go on a course before you are let loose with anything too powerful. I’ve com- pleted my brush cutter/strimmer training but I can’t use a chainsaw as I’m not yet qualified.
Where can we find you when you aren’t out on the coast path with a pair of shears?! I’m a self-employed market research consultant and still work two or three days a week. I do most of my work from home but have to travel to St Albans every few weeks. I travel to France quite a lot as my partner is French and lives just outside Paris.
What activities do you do over there?
We often walk around Paris, visit museums or cafes and we sometimes take our bikes to Versailles and cycle around the gardens. I’m still trying to learn to speak French!
And what do you get up to in England? I have an allotment that I try and maintain as best I can. I’m currently harvesting new potatoes, broad beans, beetroot, salad leaves and raspberries, so there’s plenty of choice for dinner!
What do you tend to do on a Saturday night? I’ve just started volunteering at the Flavel, where I’m a steward and sometimes work behind the bar, so I might be there at the weekends.
What career would you have chosen if you hadn’t been a market research consultant? Something outdoors. My dad was a farmer and sometimes I regret not following in his footsteps.
Favourite book: Any Human Heart by William Boyd.
Next holiday: New Zealand in November to see my daughter who is working out there for a year.
If you are interested in volunteering at the National Trust please contact Volunteer Officer Laura Rugg:
Laura.Rugg@
nationaltrust.org.uk , or phone 01803 843235
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140
