YO U R S TO R I E S
CARING FOR
OFFA'S DYKE Monitor volunteer Jonathan Cooke tells us why Offa’s Dyke is so important to him.
I
t all began when the Offa’s Dyke longdistance trail opened and I was still in school in Cardiff. I don’t remember why four of us decided to hike camp the walk and I had certainly had no idea of the impact that decision would have on me! But walk it we did. Using our Frank Noble guide, we began the trail just as Sir John Hunt was finishing his ‘opening’ walk so we must have been amongst the first groups to have completed it.
a house very near the earthwork. The move strengthened my interest in its history and our walks became more frequent. Then, last year, I heard of an opportunity I could not pass up – English Heritage were advertising for Offa’s Dyke monitor volunteers and I was delighted to accept their offer of appointment.
The role of a monitor Along with another volunteer, we Living near Offa's Dyke monitor the 3-mile section north of Living in Cardiff and then Bristol, I Tintern Quarry in Gloucestershire, kept a general interest in Offa’s which English Heritage manages. The Dyke, occasionally walking various footpath is well used as it provides a short sections, lovely walk with super views reading about it overlooking Tintern Abbey. Our Fifty years ago, and becoming main responsibility is walking I first walked the section on a regular basis a member of the Offa’s Dyke Offa’s Dyke; and reporting back to English Association. Heritage on any problems found now I am However, as I on the Dyke and footpath. The neared retirement, role also includes supporting helping to I was keen again to the programme of tree thinning, care for it tackle the whole monitoring fresh badger activity, trail. So, in August checking and cleaning signage 2011 my wife and I began the trail, and of course engaging with the walking the various parts during the public. One thing I was not expecting, school holidays, but this time staying however, was the amount of litter I have in accommodation. found. However, as this section is very I never intended to live so close to popular, sadly I expect my litter picker Offa’s Dyke, but following retirement to become even more active as we get in 2017, Offa called and we moved to fully into summer.
PLAN YOUR VISIT You can find out more about this free-to-enter site by visiting www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/offas-dyke
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Public engagement I began the monitoring last October, following my induction, and it was great to be able to get some exercise and fresh air while we were in lockdown. Despite starting in the winter with its wet and windy weather, I enjoyed every minute trudging through mud in my boots and gaiters! As spring turns into summer I have been rewarded with bird song, new green growth and wonderful views – a delightful accompaniment to the task. A very pleasing part of the role is interacting with the public, helping them to enjoy their visit. They range from serious walkers who are just starting out or nearing the end of the long-distance trail, to families out and about for a few hours enjoying a stroll. Questions I get asked are many and varied, from what is the history of the earthwork, how do we get down to Tintern, to how muddy is the path and what was I doing? I use
