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Reflecting on magical moments

The Devil's Spittleful by Lydia Rackham

Charlie reflects on his year as a conservation trainee...

So, here we are...I didn’t think 12 months could pass so quickly. Sadly though, all good things must come to an end. Now I find myself at the beginning of the next chapter and I feel that a short reflection on the past year is necessary.

There have been so many magical moments over the course of the year; from hedge-laying to surveys, fencing to felling – it’s all been fantastic! To anyone who’s considering a traineeship, I can only encourage you to go for it. I've learned more skills than I ever thought I would and I also feel that the traineeship has helped me grow massively as a person. My main objective now is to begin my career in conservation and I have no doubt in my mind that my time with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust will help me in doing so.

Charlie with a chainsaw

Charlie with a chainsaw

A particular highlight I’d like to focus on briefly is some conservation hedge-laying that we did at Sands Meadows in Inkberrow. Conservation hedge-laying keeps the same method of your standard Midlands-style hedge-lay but doesn’t keep the tidiness of competition hedge-laying. Instead, we steer towards the messy and more rustic look; keeping deadwood and brash in the hedgerow will increase the wildlife value. Starting off, the hedge in question was far from ideal in terms of laying; it consisted of predominantly old blackthorn that was tall and overgrown. Our manager Andy did a great job of getting us started and showing us the ins-and-outs of laying. The age of our hedge unfortunately made it pretty much impossible to use traditional methods with the likes of billhooks so, instead, we opted for the electric chainsaws (we may have been a bit trigger happy, having recently passed our felling assessment). We slowly creeped along the hedge, alternating roles of clearing with loppers and pole-saws and laying, noticing how much longer this would take than we first realised. Fast-forward to many hours later and the team and I got the hedge laid, which was very exciting. I’m looking forward to seeing how the hedge rejuvenates over time. I’m certain in saying that a revived biological corridor will be much appreciated by all the local wildlife!

The view at The Devil's Spittleful

The view at The Devil's Spittleful by Charlie Harland

Of course, there were some challenges among the highlights. For instance, carrying multiple 40kg railway sleepers up The Devil’s Spittleful steps was indeed demanding, as fellow trainee Patrick will confirm. I’ll never forget how well I slept that evening. Still, I can’t complain as the view from the top of the Spittleful rock is magnificent and absolutely worth the long climb.

Speaking of magnificent things, I must mention and thank all the wonderful people I have had the pleasure of working with over the course of my traineeship; a huge thank you goes to every member of the reserves team for allowing me to work in some of the most beautiful places in the county! Likewise, a huge thanks goes to the trainee team and my trainee manager Andy for making every day such a fantastic learning experience. Finally, I’d like to thank the roving volunteers who welcomed me into the world of practical conservation and initially introduced me to the idea of becoming a trainee.

Now, onwards and upwards to the next chapter of my life...

Following theoretical training in environmental science at college, Charlie is thoroughly enjoying gaining practical experience and is passionate about working in conservation at the end of his traineeship.

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