By Geoff Fisher 
The Whitwell Common Trust is looking for a volunteer trustee. The applicant should be passionate about nature and conservation, want to make a meaningful difference in the local community and live within five miles of the common.
Writing on Whitwell Common’s Facebook page, a visitor described the 47-acre Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as “a hidden gem, full of rare flora and fauna”.
Although Whitwell Common is only 1½ miles from the centre of Reepham, many local people visiting the site during a recent open day admitted: “I’ve lived in Reepham for 20 years, passed the common lots of times, but never visited before today.”
Currently, the Whitwell Common Trust comprises four members. Their responsibilities involve maintaining the special conditions on the common to enable a distinctive range of wetland flora and fauna to flourish; providing information, such as the interpretation boards, and safe access for the public; as well as recording and facilitating research into flora, wildlife and water quality in this tributary valley of the River Wensum.
The volunteer trustees work with contractors, researchers and other volunteer groups – and photogenic rare breed cattle – to help them in their work, but are keen to appoint another trustee, as allowed by their constitution, to help develop their work.
Lin Garland, chair of the trust, welcomes applications, saying: “No previous trustee experience is necessary, just energy and a genuine passion for wildlife and the environment.
“There are a variety of roles, so any skills in conservation, finance, education or community engagement would be valued. Equally, this would be an exciting opportunity for a young person to ensure that the common thrives as a special place for generations to come.”
Honorary secretary Daphne Ludgate invites anyone interested in applying or seeking more information to contact the chair by email.
Above: Recently restored pond on Whitwell Common. Below: Highland cattle and volunteers working together on conservation. Photos: Whitwell Common Trust
