Sometimes volunteers at the RSPB are also members, but it is rather special when you have a member who does volunteer work and helps organise a local members group. One such special person is June Jennings who has been volunteering and has been Treasurer of the Shropshire members group for 22 years.
The Shropshire members group held their AGM last October (read more here). At this meeting Connie Sansom, Local Groups' Officer for the Midland Region of the RSPB presented June Jennings with a signed limited-edition print on behalf of the RSPB for all the voluntary work she has undertaken. As well as local group treasurer she has frequently stepped into the breach to cover other jobs when the need arose. A further presentation to June was given by Val Becousse on behalf of past and present members of the local group.
The Shropshire Group adopted Lake Vyrnwy as their local reserve some time ago so there has always been a strong bond between the two. The group have helped over the years by raising money for projects as well as doing lots to support the shop such as helping with the RSPB stand at the Shrewsbury flower show and at the Christmas Shop in the Darwin shopping centre.
June Jennings has had a particular relationship with Lake Vyrnwy. As well as June’s work within the Shropshire Group, each Christmas she has personally organised the sale of RSPB Christmas cards and calendars through the Shrewsbury charity Christmas card shop. We provide the stock and most years the shop receives about £2000 of sales from this effort.
Christmas Card Charity Shop, St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Place, Shrewsbury
To recognise her contribution June was invited to a special four wheel drive Safari of the Lake Vyrnwy Reserve. We waited for the weather to improve and last week June and her husband John joined Gavin, a Warden at the Reserve for her Safari.
Our weather decided not to play ball (if only we had scheduled the trip a week later!), but despite that they ventured out on to the moors to get an appreciation of the size of the reserve which is always difficult to see from the lakeside.
Views from the moors somewhat restricted by the weather
The mist and drizzle made for a lack of views but there was plenty to talk about, such as the varied management we do across the reserve from moorland to woodland management and the different species we manage for, from hen harriers to the Welsh clearwing moth. Gavin’s interest in ferns started to rub off on June as they had an impromptu lesson in identifying some of the species found along their journey, including the lemon-scented fern which they all agreed was more citrusy than specifically lemon.
June’s husband John focusing in on Grey Wagtails
After the moorland trip and a brief stop to watch a couple of grey wagtails preening along a mountain stream they popped down to the farm to see Jan, our Learning Officer, who June knows well.
Watching two-legged livestock in the lambing sheds on the farm
Jan was joined by three of her grandchildren who happily played in the hay and puddles while the adults talked about our four-legged livestock – Welsh Black cattle, Welsh Mountain sheep and even a herd of wild ponies. We could depend on Jan to cover the many challenges of running the farm as an organic enterprise farmed in tune with nature.
Gavin then took June and John up to the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel to round off the tour with afternoon tea – but who ate which cakes and how many remains their secret.
So, a special trip for a special lady who has made a major contribution to the RSPB and to the Lake Vyrnwy Reserve – thank you June.
John Davies, Tasgmon/Volunteer Handyman
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