The Chiltern Society

I am sending you news of several events which have not been featured in the latest magazine – and our Volunteer Coordinator Geoff Wiggett has asked me to send details of a number of important vacancies within the Society.

For your information, the Chiltern Society office is likely to be closed between 21st & 23rd July. This is due to refurbishments taking place in the White Hill Centre. Please telephone the office if you require further information.

1. Wiggington Music Festival, Wiggington, Saturday 10th July – Midday till 10pm Tickets at the gate on the day: Adults £5. Kids (under 16) £2. Family £12. Discount for Chiltern Society: Adults £4 with membership card. 5 bands – music to suit all tastes, Classic Car Show, Farmers Market, Village Events – eg., tug-o-war, Morris Men, etc., Pig Roast, Bar BQ, Real Ale Festival, Cream Teas, Children’s Activities. Glastonbury eat your heart out! All proceeds are in aid of Friends of St Bartholomew's

2. Update on High Speed Rail – The consultation on HS2 has been delayed until early next year, pending further work required by the Government from HS2 Ltd. For latest developments please see the HS2 pages on the Society’s website. The Chiltern Society Photo Group is seeking members to take photos in support of the Chiltern Society "No HS2 across the Chilterns" campaign. If you are willing to contribute to this important project please contact Keith Hoffmeister, keithhoff@hotmail.com who is co-ordinating photography work for the campaign.

3. Chilterns Cycleway – have you noticed the new brown Chilterns Cycleway signs appearing across the Chilterns? This new circular route was launched a couple of weeks ago and is proving to be very popular – copies of the guidebook (£7.99) are available from the Chiltern Society office 01494 771250

4. Chiltern Way Walking Festival – our celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the Chiltern way continue through to October. Please join one of the many walks on offer – details on our website or in the magazine.

From Geoff Wiggett, Chiltern Society Volunteer Cordinator
Volunteering opportunities with the Chiltern Society

Do you want to make a real difference?
The Chiltern Society is looking for two enthusiastic and active volunteers to take on the roles of Society trustee – conservation. These important new roles are intended to co-ordinate and facilitate the activity which currently goes on:

1. at the three sites which the Society owns and maintains i.e. Bottom Wood, Lacey Green Windmill, Ewelme Watercress beds and other sites which the Society might acquire in the future and

2. at a number of other sites not owned by the Chiltern Society but where our volunteers help with the maintenance and conservation programme under the auspices of a body such as the Forestry Commission. The Society is actively seeking new partnerships with other organisations to expand its conservation role. By carrying out ongoing conservation work, Society volunteers working at these sites are fulfilling some of the aims and objectives of the Society.

Overview
The role of a Trustee is to help set policy for the Society and to ensure it is implemented effectively and in accordance with our charitable objectives. Chiltern Society trustees sit on an executive committee which oversees the running of the organisation. The role is similar to that of a director in a limited company. The executive committee meets formally every two months. We currently have 13 trustees, but 2 stood down at the last annual meeting and have not been replaced. We want trustees to cover all areas of the Chilterns and all aspects of the Society’s activities so as to reflect our members’ expectations of the organisation. We are, in particular, seeking members from the North and South Chilterns. Trustees are asked to attend 6 evening meetings per year, plus whatever contribution, as individual members, you can make to the group's activities outside the confines of formal meetings.

The role
The 'hands-on' nature of the conservation trustee role means, however, that, in addition to fulfilling your formal duties as a trustee, you will also take an active and ongoing role in all aspects of our conservation work including:
• publicity, promotion and marketing
• liaison with external bodies (where applicable) and, especially, with the conservation leaders and volunteers carrying out day-to-day work
• provision of help in maintaining good relationships with conservation site neighbours and local communities and generally act as an interface between the volunteers, their leaders, the Society and other bodies which act in a partnership capacity
• facilitation of management plans, annual budgets and volunteer activity
• in the case of the new trustee working with non-Society owned sites, becoming a director of the Chiltern Woodlands Project, a separate charity formed by the Chiltern Society. They play a vital role in our work with trees and forestry
• the ability to respond positively to fresh initiatives and approaches as the Society expands its conservation role in the community
• liaison with professional environmental workers who will give advice as required as well as other officers and staff working for the Society

The people
We are looking for people with :
• a genuine interest in the environment and the role that conservation work volunteers carry out
• management experience and the ability to work as part of a team
• commitment and time to devote to this unpaid role

This is a wonderful opportunity for two people who want to do something completely different, are prepared to offer their services in an unpaid capacity, have about 7 – 10 hours each week to devote to these important roles and who really want to make a difference to theirs' and others' lives. Both roles could be combined and carried out by one person but the Society does intend to expand its commitments in the future and you should be aware of the potential demands on your time if you volunteered on this basis. If you would like more information, please give our volunteer co-ordinator, Geoff Wiggett, a ring on 01442 875906 for an informal chat.

Event management
We have a number of keen volunteers to help promote the Society at various events and shows around the Chilterns and we are looking for a volunteer event manager to:
• identify at which events the Society should be present
• co-ordinate the volunteers
• collect, deliver, erect and dismantle (with help from other volunteers) the gazebo, display boards, tables and display material
• provide brief feedback and advice about the success of each event to the Society's management team
• help promote the Society and generate new membership at each event.

The Society would like to have a presence at about 6 shows or events each year, most of which are in the spring, summer and autumn months.

Are you interested in this wonderful and important opportunity to help the Society and really make a difference?

HS2
The Society continues with its campaign against the imposition of a high-speed rail line through the Chilterns and, on behalf of the Society, I would like to thank all those that have volunteered to help already.

The campaign will continue throughout the year and I would be happy to hear from anyone that would like to help with fundraising, help on the Society stalls at shows and events, distribute posters and leaflets or contribute in any way with the campaign.

Conservation management
The current chairman of the Bottom Wood group of conservation volunteers is retiring very soon and, to ensure that his important work continues, I would love to hear from anyone that is interested in taking on the work that he does.

There is also an opportunity for a fit and committed animal lover to help monitor the dormouse population at Bottom Wood. This gorgeous but endangered little animal still survives in Bottom Wood and what a difference you could make to their continuing survival if you were to keep your eye on them.

Bottom Wood is a Society owned woodland of about 28 acres set in a tranquil location near Radnage and Stokenchurch. In conjunction with the Chiltern Woodland project, the volunteers help maintain and improve this beautiful woodland which features over 700 types of animals and plants.

The roles are ideal if you live nearby but anyone that is interested should contact me. I've prepared a brief 'job description' of both roles and am happy to send this to anyone that is interested.

Planning group
The Society's planning group has vacancies for Planning Field Officers in the following areas:
• Hertfordshire (Three Rivers)
• South Oxon (Woodcote and adjacent areas)
• Wycombe (Kimbles, Hampden, Ellesborough and Lacey Green)

Field officers monitor planning applications in their allocated area (mostly on-line) and, where appropriate, make representations on behalf of the Society and in accordance with its concerns. You can also help contribute to the local authority planning policy and, ideally, attend planning group meetings.

These are key roles for the Society. A basic understanding of the planning system, an enquiring mind, a common-sense approach to the work, an ability to see the 'wider picture' and a keen desire to protect the special qualities of the Chilterns are all important and an internet connection is essential.

If you're not as fit as you were, find that getting out and about is not so easy but you still want to 'make a difference', maybe this is the role for you?

For help and more information about all the above, I can be contacted on: 01442 875906 or by email geoffreywiggett@btinternet.com

The Chiltern Society, White Hill Centre, White Hill, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1AG. Tel. 01494 771250.
Registered charity 1085163. The Chiltern Society is a registered charity which relies on membership subscriptions and gifts in wills. Please support our work to care for the Chilterns.