GIVING IT ALL C

heshire is famous for its beautiful landscape but not many of us know that we have volunteers to thank for the upkeep of the miles of

countryside we walk through. The National Trust manages 254,000 hectares of countryside across the country and it relies heavily on people giving up their time to help maintain the sights we often take for granted.

Colin Miller from Poynton is one of those volunteers who gives up their time to help keep where we live in the best condition.

“It was in late 2009 when I learnt of the existence of the National Trust Cheshire Countryside Group,” explains Colin. “I went to a talk at Wilmslow Library given by NT Wardens who explained what the CCG did. At the time I had not long finished working after being fortunate enough to retire early. Consequently I was looking at volunteering opportunities and what I had learned about the work of CCG persuaded me that this was something worthwhile doing.”

Colin is definitely proof that volunteering isn’t about easy work.

“The CCG have a stewardship responsibility for various parcels of land in Cheshire, as distinct from buildings and gardens. So there’s woodland, land and habitat management, vegetation clearance and control, footpath construction and repair, fencing construction and repair, hedge-laying.

“Basically it’s hard, physical, outdoor work – which for me was an attraction,” claims Colin. “I had spent 34 years as a lawyer indoors behind a desk so the chance to do something practical and outdoors was just the sort of contrast I needed.

“The work you do as a volunteer produces tangible results,” explains Colin as to why the gruelling work is worth it. “There is a good deal of satisfaction in working with other volunteers to see a path restored to good order or improved or creating a hedge with your own hands – quite apart from the skills that can be learnt in doing these activities.”

“There’s also the knowledge that you have made a difference. What you help to create will be there for many years to come and will be seen or used by hundreds or possibly thousands of people.”

It’s not just our land that is impacted by the kindness of volunteers but people and animals as well. Down the country lanes of Knutsford there’s a seemingly normal stables with a bit of a difference. As well as offering normal riding lessons to the public, the New Barn Livery provides disabled people from across Cheshire a chance to safely ride horses.

The stables, which is associated with the national charity Riding for the Disabled, relies completely on volunteers to help riders from all over Cheshire with a huge array of disabilities.

“We are completely dependent on people giving up their own time to help us,” explains the stable’s charity organiser Jeanette Dixon. “If we didn’t have the volunteers we just couldn’t function.”

Sixty-four year old Jeanette, who suffered from Polio when she was younger, has been involved with the New Barn Livery for over fifteen years. She first started as a rider but now you only have to spend five minutes watching her at the stable to realise a lot of its success is down to her hard work.

“One day Pam Rigby, who runs the stables, said to me ‘do you think you would like to help a little?’ Then the secretary left, I ended

up taking over and I’ve been here ever since,” explains Jeanette.

Jeanette’s history of incredible commitment to the charity was deservedly acknowledged last summer when she was picked to attend Princess Anne’s 60th birthday celebrations at Buckingham Palace.

“It was so lovely,” claims Janet. “I was picked out of the whole of the North West to go to Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Princess’s birthday. Representatives from all the charities she supports were invited. There were lots of amazing cakes and all the sandwiches even had their crusts cut off. It was such a nice day.”

But helping with a charity is about more than trips to palaces.

“It’s amazing to see the children responding week after week,” claims Janet Downes, 37 year old Freelance Project Manager who volunteers at the stables in her spare time. “Seeing them smiling and progress over the months is just incredible.”

And it’s not just the adults that are doing their bit. The stables has many younger helpers whose knowledge about horses would rival any of the adults. Olivia Harmen, 12, and Nina Siriwardina, 16, have both been helping at the stables around their school hours and they do just the same work as those older than them. From looking after the horses to helping riders mount and leading them around they do it all.

No matter how much work a volunteer does, whether it’s two hours a week or twenty, one thing is certain, they are all invaluable to the disabled riders.

“I couldn’t ride without the support of the volunteers,” explains Mary Leigh, who is partially sighted. “Coming here is better than chocolate. There’s a fantastic group of people at the stables and we all meet up for socials and fundraising events.”

What’s even more inspiring about the stables is how they help disabled people to feel like anyone else.

“They don’t judge anyone by their disability but by their ability. I don’t feel disabled at all when I get on a horse here, “claims Louise Tew, who suffers from multiple sclerosis. “You tend to forget about all your hospital appointments. It’s like a sanctuary.”

Volunteers put a lot of effort into their work for no money and often very little recognition. But it’s clear without them our society and the beautiful environment we take for granted would falter, if not fall apart. David Cameron is making big noises about his ‘Big Society’, but here in Cheshire we’re just getting on with it, and making life better for all.

While the news is constantly telling us about threats to our planet, from oil spills to concerns over our forests, Emma Gaffney meets few inspiring Cheshire residents that are dedicating their spare time to protecting our little part of the world

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