How the years roll on!

Recently 'three generations' of Reserve Wardens met again at Feckenham Wylde Moor some 31 years after they first met together on the reserve in 1982. 

In the first picture are, left Andrew Fraser bending, Geoff Trevis our first Warden from 1982 to 1990 and to his right Michael Bretherton Warden from 1990 to 2008. 

The person that you can't see in this first gathering is myself, Paul Meers current Warden/Manager who was behind the camera. We met in May 1982 to survey the site to determine the best place to dig out our main pool. During that evening in May we took core samples and decided that the best position was where the clay was nearer to the surface and would therefore give us the best results when digging a pool. The clay would provide a natural 'base' for the pool enabling water to be retained without the need to 'puddle'. A few weeks later as fast as the digger took out the spoil the area filled with water and the natural high water table has provided a constant volume in the pool even in the driest years, which haven't been many over the past 31 years.

On that evening we first herd Snipe 'booming' on the reserve and this is a sound that has remained in our memories ever since. I still hope to hear that magical sound again after all those years have passed every year when our Snipe return.

I took over as reserve warden/manager from Michael Bretherton in 2008. and still have the honour of holding the position today.

The second photograph, taken a couple of weeks ago shows from the left Geoff Trevis, myself and on the right Michael Bretherton.

We believe, unless anyone else can beat it, that this is a unique photograph of '3 generations of Wardens' ! ! !

Sadly Andrew Fraser is not with us today and he I know is sadly missed by us 'older' Trust members who remember him as a founder member of the Trust, a hard worker and a pioneer in terms of setting the standards by which we all work to today to ensure that Worcestershire reserves provide secure homes for our flora and fauna.

Paul, Feckenham Wylde Moor.