Volunteers' experiences in the countryside

Getting hooked on conservation

'I had reached a stage in my life when I thought that I ought to do something useful but I wanted something more challenging and interesting than just working in a shop. As a child, I used to ride over these hills and I feel at home here. My job involves patrolling Crook Peak to monitor its condition, supervise public access and answer visitors’ questions about the site.

Judith van der Muelen, Volunteer Warden, Crook Peak, North Somerset

'I came into my voluntary role because I have always had an interest in dry-stone walling. One day, I was walking on Crook Peak and came upon a party of volunteers doing just that. I was hooked. Today, I get quite a few volunteer recruits just by talking to people whom I meet walking on the hill.

I think that part of the role of a volunteer warden is overcoming peoples’ prejudices against the National Trust. In fact, public relations play an important part in the team’s work. Recently, the Trust warden organised a guided walk on Crook Peak as a consultation exercise with local residents, some of whom were quite critical of the National Trust’s management of the site. As a result, he has now recruited a new volunteer -  the ex-Chairman of the Parish Council, who was leading the protests!

Paul Harvey, Volunteer Co-ordinator, North Somerset