The below is taken from the AONB website and describes an organisation which I belong to. The Cotswolds AONB is divided into five districts for ease and working purposes. I have just been elected to the post of Chairman for the Central District. I am honoured to have been given this responsibility, even though it really only means that I chair the quarterly general meetings, the quarterly district committee meetings, and attend quarterly meetings with the other chairmen. Politics does creep in sometimes though, as it does in any walk of life.
Cotswold Voluntary Wardens
The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens service was established in 1968. Anyone can join and, today, there are over 340 full time members. The wardens are part of the Cotswolds Conservation Board and volunteer their time and skills to help keep the Cotswolds special.
Warden work parties help conserve and enhance the AONB, taking part in a range of projects from drystone walling, hedge laying, and tree planting to installing kissing gates.
The wardens work with parish councils, farmers and local residents to help keep footpaths open and identify local features in need of restoration.
When they are not taking part in conservation work many wardens conduct hundreds of guided walks, throughout the Cotswolds AONB. Some voluntary wardens also help out at shows and give talks about their work and the AONB to local groups.
Support, training, equipment, travel expenses and a sense of achievement are offered in return for volunteers’ valuable time.
