Helping hands…

 

Today has been a day of quiet reflection.  As tonight’s finale revisits characters and behaviours we have known and loved over the past two weeks, I know I shall miss these treasures when I leave.  Spending time on Brownsea has been magical, exciting and good for the soul.

 

 

We have learned wonderful things about who and what lives and stays here on Brownsea Island. 

 

 

When the majority of us pack up and set off home, returning to our usual daily routine, life here will continue the way it always has.  

 

 

Bill Oddie’s reminder to:  “Remember to look up – and keep looking.  Because if you don’t look, you won’t see anything. seems like perfect common sense but I know I forget to do it. 

 

I have done it every day while here and reaped the benefits.  I won’t forget again. 

 

 

It’s also important to look down now and again too…

 

 

And, although I don’t live on an Island, there are treasures to be had on my own patch too.  I may not have red squirrels gamboling in my back yard or deer wandering through, but there are other species I will look at with fresh eyes and appreciation.  

  

And I also have a new-found appreciation for the people behind the scenes too – the ones to help keep places, like Brownsea, as beautiful and wild as they are.

 

The army of regular volunteers who give their time and for those who come as and when they can, all make a huge difference. 

 

In the time I have spent here, 499 man days of work has been achieved for five hours a day, six days a week.  The majority of this was tackling rhododendron.  In just a few years, these plants grow profusely.  Nothing else can grow under its tightly condensed foliage; no species will graze it and it doesn’t encourage insects.  Volunteers help with every aspect of ridding the Island of it through control and eradication.  But this is a long process; small seedlings removed, cutting back, cutting down and spraying.  The branches are cut up for bonfires and lengths of wrist thickness are stacked for seasoning. 

 

 

Two titanium knee replacements led Dale Johnson to take early retirement and, at the age of 68, he discovered Brownsea Island with his wife, Bridgette.  In 2007, they joined Dorset Wildlife Trust and, since then, Dale has volunteered his time to help out; now committing three days a week.  He is approaching his 200th full working day.  Dale told me: 

 

“You don’t need any experience or knowledge of ecology or wildlife.  I admit that whilst I know the difference between an arctic tern and an arctic roll, my knowledge of the World War Two American GMC-built DUCW (pronounced ‘duck’) is far greater than it will ever be about the teal, shoveller or widgeon!

 

“On the ferry from Sandbanks to Brownsea, you seem to take a step back in time to a more slow and relaxed way of life.  The only traffic is an occasional Land Rover or tractor.  There is time to stop, stand and stare but above all to enjoy at your ease and leisure.

 

 “I can honestly say I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every single day, whatever I have been doing and whatever the weather.  There is always a warm welcome here, at the Villa.”

 

 And it’s part of that mood and enthusiasm for our local areas which we all need to tune in to now and again.  There are a million and one ways we can get involved to help our local environment. 

 

So when the show ends, don’t let it stop there.   The more we start to get involved, the more benefits we’ll all reap for years to come.