Volunteering opportunities

Walks Leaders

The Society has a busy walks programme, including walks of various lengths several times a month, which we very much wish to maintain and extend.

We are always looking for volunteers to help us by leading walks, whether on a regular or an occasional basis. If you think you might like to do this please contact Judy Sonley, our Walks coordinator, on 01494 712857.

For further information about our walks programme, click here.

Planning Field Officers

Opportunities in the following areas:

• South Oxon – Sonning Common and surrounding areas.
• South Oxon – Woodcote and surrounding areas.
• Wycombe – Ellesborough, Lacey Green, the Kimbles and the Hampdens.
• Hertfordshire in general.
  

The Chiltern Society's Planning Group consists of a network of area teams arranged to correspond with the boundaries of each of the District or Borough Council areas that fall within the Chilterns.

Each area team has a group of Volunteer Planning field officers (PFOs) who, supported by an Area Planning coordinator and a team of Planning Assistants, keep a regular check on Planning applications in their local area, respond and make other representations in line with the Society's policys as necessary to those applications that they feel might have a damaging or negative effect on the Chilterns and liaise with colleagues in the Planning Group to ensure continuity.

Another interesting aspect of the work involves developing and maintaining contacts with District and County Planning officers to ensure good communications and understanding.

Much of the PFO's role can be done from home providing there is an online connection to the local Planning portal.

We have opportunities for volunteer Planning Field officers in the areas noted above.

Occasional Area Team meetings are arranged and these are very social occasions which our PFOs enjoy attending. If you like working in a team, this is the job for you!

This role will be great for anyone with a town planning or associated background but a genuine interest and enthusiasm for protecting the Chiltern countryside is just as, if not more, important. You can make a real difference and be particularly influential, especially now that the Government is proposing changes to the way planning applications are dealt with under the Localism bill.

All voluntary jobs in the Planning Group are fully supported by both the Planning Group Chairman and Administrator.

Interested? For more information and an informal chat, contact Geoff Wiggett (CS Volunteer coordinator) on 01442 875906 or .

The Chiltern Society Rights of Way Group (RoWG) Path Representatives

Path Representatives play an essential role in the Rights of Way Group, each checking the condition, accessibility and way-marking of an agreed list of paths.

Problems can then be reported to the appropriate County authority and action quickly taken to carry out repair and maintenance. Many path reps also willingly carry out minor maintenance of their paths, the type of jobs that require no formal authority from the County.

We currently have about 140 volunteer Path Representatives and are well staffed in many areas. There are however also some areas where we would like to fill vacancies.

We are particularly keen to hear from anybody who might like to help us in the places listed below. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Brian Lawson, the Secretary of the Rights of Way Group on 01494 815814.

Buckinghamshire – around Latimer, Stokenchurch, Denham, Burmham and the parishes from Wendover to Ellesborough.

Oxfordshire – around Binfield Heath and the parishes from Purton to Chinnor.

Hertfordshire – around Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, and the parishes south from there towards Flaunden.

Central Bedfordshire – around Flamstead, Markyate, Houghton Regis and the parishes from Hyde beyond Luton to Barton-le-Clay and Harlington.

If you are able to help you will be playing a significant part in keeping the ever popular path network in the Chilterns in a condition that enables walkers and riders to enjoy the countryside to the full.

Path Maintenance Volunteers

Help keep footpaths, bridleways, stiles and steps in the South Chilterns (South Oxfordshire) in good condition and get some good healthy exercise with a very social group at the same time.

No special skills necessary and feel free whether or not to join work sessions held three times a month. All tools and insurance cover supplied by the Chiltern Society.

Contact: Howard Dell for further details: 01494 764149, or

The Chiltern Society is about to take ownership of a fantastic nature reserve at Marlow Common (North)

It forms part of a large tract of woodland lying to the west of Marlow. It comprises mainly of English oak and silver birch with an understorey of bracken.

Most of the year, it's alive with wildlife.

It's an 'Open Access' site meaning visitors are encouraged to explore without having to keep to footpaths.

It is currently owned and managed by Wycombe District Council which has recently decided to transfer ownership of this fantastic site. After a long selection process, WDC chose the Chiltern Society as future stewards and managers because they knew that, with our track record, the site would continue to be managed in a sensitive and sustainable way whilst allowing visitors to get close to nature and experience the stunning beauty of this wonderful landscape.

The Society is fully committed to maintaining the unique character of all these sites and has been fortunate in recruiting a site co-ordinator and an activity leader to manage and care for the site and also to form a group of Conservation volunteers to help with the many tasks required.

We already have a huge network of truly amazing people giving up their time every week to really make a difference so why not join them?

These are fantastic opportunities for anyone interested in helping to improve our natural environment in this increasingly urbanised world.

Conservation volunteers – join our new team of fit and energetic conservation volunteers, men and women who can turn their hands to almost any task. This local common will offer you endless opportunities to express yourself in ways that will surprise you. You'll meet some really remarkable people, learn new skills, gain knowledge about wildlife and use up that bit of spare energy.

You may be looking for something different to fill your day or you may only have a few hours to spare each week – it's up to you to decide how much time you can give us. That's one of the great things about volunteering. Just turn up – we'll do the rest!

All you need is commitment, energy, enthusiasm and a passion for the outdoor world.

For full details of Marlow Common, further information about any of the wonderful volunteering opportunities described here or for any other information, please ring Jeff Short on 01628 481358 or Mike Basnett on 01628 482362.

They can also be contacted by email using one of the following links:

Conservation Volunteers and Visitor Centre Helpers

Join a happy band of conservation volunteers at our Ewelme Watercress Beds and Local Nature Reserve, helping to keep the historic watercress beds in good order, or helping out in the visitor centre (entrance tickets; product sales; teas; etc.). Contact the Project Officer, Ann Truesdale, on 01491 835173.

Central Chiltern Weekend Conservation Volunteers

Covering from High Wycombe to Wendover, Latimer and the Chalfonts are always looking for volunteers to help in their work. For more information, please contact Christine Breden 01844 343192.