Which organisation are you involved with?

Brecon Beacons National Park (BBNP) and the National Trust

What sort of volunteer work do you do and where?

Running training days in dry stone walling when they need.

In BBNP, have done the footpath survey for some years. This year (2004), have become a regular with the car park watch.

How did you get started?

When we moved up to Mid Wales in 1986, I had time on my hands to begin with and was already looking for more involvement with the countryside. Having no skills at the time, I did a little general volunteering with Brecon Beacons National Park (tree planting etc.).

I spent 1988 training as a countryside worker with the National Trust, on the Beacons, and thereafter worked as a professional dry stone waller for some years. Now I'm retired, I'm happy to keep my hand in with that when BBNP/NT want some help.

The footpath survey, in the various forms it's had over the years, has been an excellent way of "going for a walk" with a purpose. It often takes me to parts of the Park I'd probably never have thought of visiting.

I used to lead guided walks for some years, partly for the same reason and partly to show people "dry stone walls old & new" and promote knowledge of the craft and its tradition.

The car park watch is a new joint venture this year of BBNP, Dyfed-Powys police, Forestry Commission. All volunteers were circulated with details - I had the time to join it, something new and not too physically demanding as I age!

How long have you been a volunteer?

It must be 17 or 18 years.

Are there any special skills you need to be a volunteer?

For the walling training I do, obviously so! Leading guided walks began to require more skills than I felt I wanted to learn, so I dropped out of that. Surveying the condition of footpaths has required learning gradually more complicated methodologies - but not beyond comprehension!

The car park watch involves driving a van around, being prepared to use a satellite phone if necessary and being the friendly face of the Park to all and sundry (oh, and picking up litter, but that doesn't require much skill - just dedication!).

How many hours a week/month do you give?

At the moment I'm doing between 12 and 20 hours a month - more than I've usually done.

What are the best and worst things about being a volunteer?

The best: driving a van with the police badge on must come top of the list! Being out in the Park is ALWAYS a great pleasure, whatever I'm doing (and indeed, whatever the weather).

The worst: no, being out in the Park in really unpleasant weather, if I'm honest...