7 minute read
Action for nature
Pam Rogers
Conservation volunteer
Retired schoolteacher Pam Rogers has been a regular volunteer with the Trust since 2010.
The 68-year-old volunteers religiously at Farlington Marshes Nature Reserve near her home in Portsmouth every Tuesday.
“It’s quite full on, physical work but myself and the other volunteers are here without fail every week, come rain or shine – they call us the ‘Farlington Faithful’!” says Pam.
Among the tasks Pam gets involved with are cutting back brambles to keep the footpaths open, erecting barbed wire fencing, litter picking and helping to move the reserve’s grazing cattle.
“One of the things I enjoy most about volunteering is meeting new people from all different walks of life,” she adds.
“I’ve also learned new skills, for example, how to use a brushcutter and how to lay a hedge. They haven’t trained me to use a chainsaw yet, but I’d love to add that to my repertoire one day!”
Pam, who taught geography and is also involved in the Trust’s outdoor education programmes, also values her time spent volunteering for ‘making sure there’s enough nature left for folk to enjoy’.
On what advice she’d give to anyone considering becoming a Wildlife Trust volunteer, Pam says, “Just come and see if it’s for you. If nothing else, it’s a chance to make friends and stay active!”
Michael Sharman
Left a gift in his Will
Growing up in Sussex, Michael Sharman always had an affinity with nature and the great outdoors. He was a keen walker, bird watcher and mountaineer.
He later moved to Kingsclere in north Hampshire with his wife, Gloria, and in the early 1960s the pair became loyal members of the Trust’s Andover community group.
Michael regularly joined volunteer work parties, both with the Trust and other groups. He planted trees locally and even convinced Kingsclere Parish Council it was important to mow the recreation field more carefully to conserve the wildflower meadow.
When Michael and his family relocated to Pamber Heath, he joined the Basingstoke group and became an important member and also group treasurer for a time.
He got involved with coppicing in Pamber Forest and led wildlife walks where he was always happy to share the use of his telescope. He received the Dutton award for his efforts.
At home, Michael took joy in creating a wildlife-friendly garden – he cherished wild orchids and the birds that visited his garden.
Sadly, Michael passed away in May 2022 aged 86 and his parting gift to his beloved natural world was to leave a gift to the Trust in his Will.
As with all gifts in Wills bequeathed to the Trust, Michael’s legacy represents a powerful way to make a difference to essential conservation and education work.
His wife Gloria says of her husband’s heartfelt donation, “Michael thought it important to conserve the countryside for wildlife and for future generations.”
Neil Gwynne Mayor of Romsey
When councillor Neil Gwynne was elected the new Mayor of Romsey Town in May 2022, he generously declared Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust as one of his two chosen charities to support.
Since then, Neil has helped raise vital funds for the Trust via mayoral charity events, such as a concert at Romsey’s Plaza Theatre in October that raised over £1,500.
He admits opting to support the Trust was ‘a fairly obvious choice’ given Fishlake Meadows Nature Reserve lies on the edge of Romsey.
“With the New Forest on one side of the town, the Test Valley to the north and the Solent to the south – not to mention a nature reserve within walking distance of the town centre – many people in Romsey regularly spend time in the natural world,” he says.
Specifically, Neil also notes the impact of the local Wilder Romsey community group who are involved in ‘urban rewilding’ in the town.
Neil has planned further fundraisers for this March, including another concert at Romsey Abbey and a dinner dance in the town hall, while he also hopes there will be a rerun of the Plaza Theatre concert.
“Obviously, I hope to raise a lot of money!” he adds.
Theo Vickers Marine ambassador
Twenty-four-year-old Theo (right) is a marine biologist and award-winning marine wildlife photographer based in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. Since discovering a passion for underwater photography as a teenager, Theo has spent much of his spare time diving with his camera off the Isle of Wight’s coast capturing the extraordinary array of marine life that exists in the Solent.
Recently, Theo has generously donated dozens of his images and video material to the Trust to support key marine projects and outreach events.
“I grew up hearing of the Trust’s work locally and became interested in projects such as Secrets of the Solent and their volunteering opportunities,” says Theo.
He says, “I look upon the group as a bridge between those very keen and knowledgeable enthusiasts, and the residents who might otherwise not think about the natural environment.”
“As a photographer I see working with the Trust as an excellent opportunity to use my images to really make a difference.
“I hope the marine wildlife photos and videos I provide can be used to inspire and educate local communities to discover our wild seas.”
As well as donating his photography, Theo has also got stuck in as a volunteer seagrass seed collector for the Solent Seagrass Restoration Project and gave a public talk on the Solent’s marine biodiversity at a Trust event last year.
Theo recently won the Most Promising British Underwater Photographer and British Waters Wide Angle categories in the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2023 awards for his image of the Isle of Wight’s chalk reefs.
See the winning image and more of Theo’s stunning photography on Instagram: @theovickersphotography
Paulina Brissenden Wilder Bramley group leader
Paulina is a founding member of Wilder Bramley, an ambitious Team Wilder community group that aims to improve the environment in their village to benefit wildlife and people.
The group formed in February 2022 following a chance meeting of several like-minded wildlife lovers from Bramley who were keen to start a nature group in their village.
With support from the Trust via a funded pilot programme with Basingstoke & Deane Council, the group have made some impressive progress in their first year. Bramley resident Paulina, who is a client services manager for a telecommunications company, says, “The highlight for me must be the community bee garden and wildflower area that we created in our local recreation grounds.
“We turned areas of lawn into patches of nectar-rich plants for pollinators and other insects. The engagement from the community, local businesses and organisations has been amazing – we received hundreds of bee-friendly plant donations and residents watered and maintained the plants throughout the year.”
The group also organise nature-themed walks and volunteering events for locals and, going forward, are looking at more ways to enhance wildlife in the village.
According to Paulina, ‘nature is a peaceful place of refuge’.
The 33-year-old adds, “Now more than ever we know that access to green spaces and encounters with wildlife are vital to our physical and mental health.
“Nature is inspiring, joyful and fascinating and I am very passionate about making it accessible to everyone.
“After all, if you don’t have access to or don’t know something exists, how can you appreciate or care about it?”
Inspired to help nature?
If you’re interested in supporting the Trust beyond your membership and would like to find out more about how, visit our website at hiwwt.org.uk/get-involved
