Volunteer profile
One of the wonderful things about wildlife trusts is the dedication of volunteers who get involved at the start and remain involved for many years, retaining their enthusiasm through thick and thin. This is true in the case of the Education Committee, recently renamed the People and Wildlife Committee, which founded Fox Club 20 years ago. Jean Smith, Kath Overton, Nancy Hancock and Anne-Marie Ellis were there then and still are now.
I phoned Anne-Marie (renowned at events for her catering and cake making) and Nancy asking each a few questions about their educational work for the Trust.
How did you become involved in the beginning?
A-M: I already ran a Watch Group for children with a bird watcher called Matt Southam, a Rural Science teacher from Camborne. Also my own children were interested and I live beside Pendarves Nature Reserve which was then used frequently as an education reserve.
N: I was teaching when Fox Club was launched. Initially I worked at the Trust for half a day a week helping the previous Education Officer Loveday Jenkin with admin work because she was snowed under.
What was it like in the early years?
A-M: I ran a big Fox Club group at Illogan School along with a wildlife expert/ County Ranger Dave
Lewis. The Manpower Services Commission (MSC) team was a great help to the Education Committee in the early days. We had a lot more contact with schools because of them. They used to run slide shows and encourage children to Join Fox Club.
N: When Fox Club started/ there was a lot of enthusiasm.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
A-M: What I enjoy most is contact with children. I spend a great deal of time with my grandchildren on beaches and in woods.
N: Working with children. I do quite a lot of things like pond dipping with them.
How have things changed over the years since Fox Club was founded?
N: With the advent of the National Curriculum schools had less time to get involved. With Mums and Dads working all week, and so much sport and things like that
numbers of children at events have dropped. However the enthusiasm of schools is coming back. Also interest in activities such as wildlife gardening has grown terrifically among both children and adults.
What would you like to see happening
in the future?
A-M: One of the most important things is involving children and young
people..
N: There should be more money available for wildlife work in education.
What is your advice to others who would like to help?
N: Get involved. I knew a little of everything/ had no expertise but I had enthusiasm and being involved in education helps you find out more.
A-M: Get out and do it!
Interview by Rowena Millar
Anne-Marie Ellis.
Photo: Alison Forward