When I started volunteering, I’d been retired for two years and, having completed a few home projects, I was at a bit of a loss. I wanted to do something that had a purpose and was linked to my interests, namely gardening, wildlife, and history.
Thirteen years ago, a friend of my son asked if I’d look after his plot at St Ann’s Allotments while he was fulfilling a three–year teaching contract overseas. A no brainer! Having previously had an allotment of my own for 20 years, I was happy to volunteer.
Being active in the open air was a big plus for me. And after a short period, I was asked by STAA if I would be willing to volunteer with the maintenance of plots designated as wildlife areas. No problem. I was happy to do so. One of my earliest memories as a small child is lying in a wildflower meadow, with grasshoppers chirping in my ears and watching a skylark gradually rise higher and higher into the blue sky while singing.
As a volunteer, I still love those magical moments of buzzards circling over the allotments and woodpeckers hammering on trees down the valley. Now thirteen years on I’m not quite as active, but there is always some outdoor job that I can tackle and enjoy.
I had retired as Regional Valuer and Estate Manager at the Environment Agency so was also able to bring my experience to STAA’s management committee for nearly 10 years as a trustee, including one year as chair. Though I’m no longer a trustee, I’m able to spend more time researching the history of the allotments over the past 200 hundred years. What has proved interesting is that the allotments are not an inclusive entity, but link very closely with the local community.
Consequently, I am keen to continue exploring ways of actively involving the local and wider community in the heritage and future of this unique site.
Join us
If Paul’s story has inspired you to consider volunteering, you can find out more about what we do and sign up here: https://staa-allotments.org.uk/volunteering-with-staa/
