Ecologist honoured for ‘tireless’ efforts

A DORSET-BASED National Trust volunteer has been named in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

John Newbould is to be awarded a British Empire Medal for voluntary services to ecological surveying and data entry.

Mr Newbould has been volunteering as an ecologist for the National Trust since 2004 and has completed surveys on many properties in Dorset.

“I am really pleased that I have been included in this year’s Birthday Honours List with the award of a British Empire Medal for voluntary services to ecological surveying and data entry,” he said.

“In reality this is one for the whole of Dorset team, particularly the other volunteers.”

For the past few years, Mr Newbould has been a volunteer team leader for the West and North Dorset Volunteer Ecology

Matthew walks for therapy farm

MATTHEW Vincent is 29 and lives with Fragile X Syndrome.

His anxiety and challenging behaviour make everyday social interactions very difficult, and his weekly visits to Fairview Therapy Farm near Corfe Mullen are a lifeline.

This June, Matthew (pictured) challenged himself to walk 50 miles over the month with the aim of raising £250 for the farm.

Matthew smashed both his targets, walking 77 miles and raising £760 at the last count.

His Go Fund Me page is still open, and Matthew is now hoping to raise as much money as he can to improve

Group of about 20 volunteers.

The trust said he has worked tirelessly creating a legacy that will be valuable for years to come.

Since forming the ecology group in 2016, he has helped new volunteers develop a variety of specialist skills including bat surveys, lichens on trees, especially orchards and waxcap fungi with the Golden Cap Estate being of international significance.

He also led the Biodiversity Conservation Assessment for the Golden Cap Estate, the largest property conservation assessment undertaken by the trust to date.

Leo Henley Lock, countryside manager for North and West Dorset, said: “This is wonderful news and the award is well deserved.

“John has worked tirelessly over the past 20 years, and we are all delighted to see him get this recognition.”