Finally stopped raining! The sun is out and looks like it will last the day, rain forecast for tomorrow though. We have Merseyside National Trust Volunteers in tomorrow. So we have a couple of hours pulling balsam down by the river. Then it's off to attend to the path to Morley.
This path is in dire need of attention, covered in slop and running with water, it'll need some digging out and diverting of water to make it passable for all.
Hopefully the rain will hold off long enough to see that we get all the work done without getting too wet?
Will post a few photos and update the progress tomorrow.
Saturday, 12 May 2012
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Wardens Turning Into Rangers
In line with our colleagues in the North of the region, and in other parts of the country, today we in the Southern part of the Northwest region are to become RANGERS.
Whilst having been very proud to have served in the role of warden, warden in charge and head warden I think the change will bring real benefits to the properties.
Public perception of the differences of what a warden is and what a ranger is are very marked.
A warden's role is seen to be a policing role, someone who say's 'no you can't do that' or 'get off the grass'. Also people get confused as you also have warden who look after old folks homes and prisons!
So the change to ranger, a role people see as an enabling role, a role that is there to help people enjoy the countryside and to get the best out of it, is seen as a step towards that public perception and will bring us closer to the people who visit our properties.At the same time, we still have to protect and conserve it. Never an easy ask to combine the two.
So you will see us in our new kit around on the properties, do come have a chat with us, we would love to meet you!
Whilst having been very proud to have served in the role of warden, warden in charge and head warden I think the change will bring real benefits to the properties.
Public perception of the differences of what a warden is and what a ranger is are very marked.
A warden's role is seen to be a policing role, someone who say's 'no you can't do that' or 'get off the grass'. Also people get confused as you also have warden who look after old folks homes and prisons!
So the change to ranger, a role people see as an enabling role, a role that is there to help people enjoy the countryside and to get the best out of it, is seen as a step towards that public perception and will bring us closer to the people who visit our properties.At the same time, we still have to protect and conserve it. Never an easy ask to combine the two.
Sunday, 1 April 2012
A Personal Note
It is now 25 year to the day since I started working for the National Trust. In that time I have seen many changes. Changes to the organisation, ways of working and styles of leadership. I can remember the membership being 1.8 million. We now have 4 million and counting.
I can remember at the property where I worked, Kedleston Hall & Park, prior to the NT taking on the responsibility of running the place, the anticipation and uncertainty of working for a conservation charity. What would it be like? What were we going to be doing? According to our then employer, he said, 'nothing will change, I'll still be giving the orders'. He was partly right! But that might be the subject of a book later in life!
I met countless people in that time, within a short time, Prince Charles came to a function to raise money for the appeal which was then in full swing. As I stood on 'sentry' duty my impression was 'he's a lot shorter in real life'.
I soon found my feet with the Trust and took on more and more responsibility. I worked for a time on my own as my colleague had left and they were unsure as to what to do. I found myself in charge of the property as Head Warden and there I remained for 23 years.
We hosted concerts, had thousands of classical fans one night, then thousands of screaming girls the next night when Westlife were playing in the park, all good fun. Our social life on the property was great, we organised events, picnics and outings.
We took on additional property's surrounding the property. In all I was responsible for four large outdoor sites, but with the same resources we had with one!
I have worked with some fantastic people, committed, passionate about what they were doing and their enthusiasm has rubbed off on others. I have been fortunate enough to see young folk come into the sphere of conservation and outdoor working and have given them a steer in the direction of the NT. It's good to see them now as Rangers working in different parts of the country.
The Trust has changed beyond what it was when I first started. More so in the last few years. It takes on challenges and sets itself tough targets. It is trying to do things differently to react to changing times that we live in.
I feel very privileged to have worked for this organisation and to have made a difference, albeit perhaps a small one. I will forever be touched by the people I have met along the way. From the humble estate worker to the knowledgeable expert.
I am looking forward to the next 25 years. I can't wait to see what that brings! Where will the NT be then? Will the measures we take today be enough to conserve our precious places for the future? Or will we need to change what we do to safeguard these cherished places. Challenging times ahead!
I can remember at the property where I worked, Kedleston Hall & Park, prior to the NT taking on the responsibility of running the place, the anticipation and uncertainty of working for a conservation charity. What would it be like? What were we going to be doing? According to our then employer, he said, 'nothing will change, I'll still be giving the orders'. He was partly right! But that might be the subject of a book later in life!
I met countless people in that time, within a short time, Prince Charles came to a function to raise money for the appeal which was then in full swing. As I stood on 'sentry' duty my impression was 'he's a lot shorter in real life'.
I soon found my feet with the Trust and took on more and more responsibility. I worked for a time on my own as my colleague had left and they were unsure as to what to do. I found myself in charge of the property as Head Warden and there I remained for 23 years.
We hosted concerts, had thousands of classical fans one night, then thousands of screaming girls the next night when Westlife were playing in the park, all good fun. Our social life on the property was great, we organised events, picnics and outings.
We took on additional property's surrounding the property. In all I was responsible for four large outdoor sites, but with the same resources we had with one!
I have worked with some fantastic people, committed, passionate about what they were doing and their enthusiasm has rubbed off on others. I have been fortunate enough to see young folk come into the sphere of conservation and outdoor working and have given them a steer in the direction of the NT. It's good to see them now as Rangers working in different parts of the country.
The Trust has changed beyond what it was when I first started. More so in the last few years. It takes on challenges and sets itself tough targets. It is trying to do things differently to react to changing times that we live in.
I feel very privileged to have worked for this organisation and to have made a difference, albeit perhaps a small one. I will forever be touched by the people I have met along the way. From the humble estate worker to the knowledgeable expert.
I am looking forward to the next 25 years. I can't wait to see what that brings! Where will the NT be then? Will the measures we take today be enough to conserve our precious places for the future? Or will we need to change what we do to safeguard these cherished places. Challenging times ahead!
Monday, 26 March 2012
Volunteer Expansion
In an effort to increase the number of volunteers who come to Styal and the differing types of work we could have volunteers engaging in, we ran a Saturday afternoon drop in session during a snowy weekend in February.
The result has been a really good response in volunteers. I have just about finished interviewing everyone, still a few to go though. One recruit was a volunteer volunteer manager. This role is there to not only look after new recruits, seeing they have all the support they need from an admin point of view, but to assist in recruiting new volunteers.
We are just setting up log in's and sorting software to be used on the PC but once ready to go, the post will be invaluable to the estate.
One thing we looked at today, was the Youth Rangers group that we hope to set up later this year. We are looking to involve two local schools and have up to 20 youth rangers to carry out practical tasks across the estate throughout the year.
We are also setting up a link to a volunteer specific blog, where you can go to find out all about the work volunteers do and....how you can join in.
The result has been a really good response in volunteers. I have just about finished interviewing everyone, still a few to go though. One recruit was a volunteer volunteer manager. This role is there to not only look after new recruits, seeing they have all the support they need from an admin point of view, but to assist in recruiting new volunteers.
We are just setting up log in's and sorting software to be used on the PC but once ready to go, the post will be invaluable to the estate.
One thing we looked at today, was the Youth Rangers group that we hope to set up later this year. We are looking to involve two local schools and have up to 20 youth rangers to carry out practical tasks across the estate throughout the year.
We are also setting up a link to a volunteer specific blog, where you can go to find out all about the work volunteers do and....how you can join in.
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
New play area
Beautiful day to be creating a new play area in the upper garden.
Sent from my Windows Phone.
Sent from my Windows Phone.
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Mystery Solved!
For a while now I have been cursing the IT guys as my mouse attached to this laptap keeps on freezing. It's been really annoying as you have to unplug the USB connection, wait, then reconnect. Just linked what's causing it as I sit here!
My radio has just gone off for a member of staff to check their radio. As I replied the mouse froze. This has just happened for the third time. Just pressing the transmit button on the radio cause the mouse to freeze?
Strange as the mouse is cable connected not wireless and we have no wireless connection in the building. Mystery solved. So now I have to go see if I can freeze other peoples pointing devices?
My radio has just gone off for a member of staff to check their radio. As I replied the mouse froze. This has just happened for the third time. Just pressing the transmit button on the radio cause the mouse to freeze?
Strange as the mouse is cable connected not wireless and we have no wireless connection in the building. Mystery solved. So now I have to go see if I can freeze other peoples pointing devices?
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