The Trust is changing, and I invite you to be part of that change. Once I realised, I was becoming chair of this exceptional group of people and custodian of its history I thought I had better look at the documents residing within the trust. What struck me was the amazing dedication, detail and consistency of monitoring records dating back decades to the 1950s. I remember sitting down in the field centre and thinking I had discovered real treasure. Yet there was a tinge of sadness in that few people within the John Lewis Partnership (or anywhere else for that matter) knew about this work.
British butterflies from the 1950's now donated to University of Reading from Mr. Evans
Our world, lifestyles and technologies have all undergone radical change, and this enables the trust to think about what a modern biodiversity facing Trust looks like. We find this exciting if sometimes a bit strange.
We have had the opportunity to change the makeup of the Trustees and active friends creating a less male dominated trust a wider age span. We have spent some time focusing on how we want to operate Without loosing any of the pace, our times together are fun, with lots of laughter and above all everyone chipping in. In short, we have learnt together achieving modest successes which hopefully enable more ambitious plans.
Underneath it all those involved with us know the world for the small creatures is disappearing fast. Despite government and corporate efforts, species continue to vanish in alarming proportions. The Leckford Estate is not a typical farm, It is the exception in terms modern day farming with 25% of its land uncropped in woods, hedgerows, fields and our own unique trust reserves (see here)! The Trust has a unique view of unspoilt and well maintained but we want to do need to do more!
At the time of writing our outcomes include a new website, masters students working with us, new bat boxes being installed a wildflower meadow and hedge planted at the field centre plus training for new interested parties in monitoring. I mention this with a smile on my face as looking at the people around the Trust I feel we have not even got started. And that is were the invite comes in.
The wildflower area newly planted this year attracting lots of insects outside our trusts field centre
If you’re interested in field work, monitoring species and working with us privately or as a local school or college then please get in touch we would love to hear from you. If you’re an expert great but you don’t have to be. So long as your enthusiastic have a sense humour and want to get your hands dirty then we want you!!!
Alan Wilson - Trust Chair
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