Andrew's story

It all started back in September 2014 when I almost retired at the age of 60 after 40 years of a career in accountancy. I’ve lived on the edge of Shipley Park for many years with easy access to the Nutbrook Trail which runs through Woodside Farm. It is my local patch so I wanted to help where I could.

My initial contact with the Trust was via a telephone call to Paul, who was in charge of the Mid Week Teams at the time. He invited me to join the Tuesday work party at Woodside Farm where I was made to feel most welcome and treated to a jacket potato, despite supporting the wrong football team (Nottingham Forest!)

From my teenage years of bringing the cows up for milking in a Lincolnshire village I have had an interest in animals. The reserve manager, at the time, gave me an opportunity to develop this by working with the cattle, sheep and ponies at Woodside. I was given both on site and off site training.My duties now are as warden at Woodside Farm whereby I ride round on my bicycle most days checking that all is in good order and reporting any issues to Paul or Kate. I still enjoy Tuesday's with the work party though!

It is very enjoyable to be working outside and meeting people from different walks of life, both staff and volunteers. There is a satisfaction to be had from improving the local environment whether it is by scrub clearance, fence building or access improvements.

The advice I was given when I first started volunteering still holds good. Do not get separated from your lunch and never wear anything you might want to wear again!