Community Spirit in Bedfordshire

Colin Haine, a lifelong Bedfordian, spent 40 years in the global food and agriculture industry before retiring. With his working career behind him, he finally had more time to dedicate to volunteering.

For over five years, Colin volunteered for the Greensand Country Landscape Partnership. The Greensand Ridge runs through Bedfordshire, forming a key part of the countryside on Colin’s doorstep, a place where he had the freedom to roam as a child, to cycle, fish and climb trees – and his original gateway into the joys of his local landscape.

Leaving a Legacy

After the Greensand project concluded, Colin turned his energy to trusteeship at CPRE Bedfordshire, where he could make an impact locally as a part of the nationwide CPRE campaign. In the last decade, he has noticed a gradual increase in building developments in his local area. While Colin understands the need for development, he’s concerned about the lack of thoughtful planning. Given the finite nature of green spaces like Greensand ridge, he believes cohesive strategies are vital to balance human needs with environmental preservation.

Recognising the personal and communal value of access to nature he enjoyed in childhood, Colin hopes to play a part in protecting the countryside for his own children, but also for future generations to come.

Trusteeship

Trusteeship at CPRE Bedfordshire is a welcome opportunity for Colin to help protect areas of natural beauty, not just in his local area, but across the county. As well as the administrative duties of a secretary, being a trustee involves contributing to executive decisions and planning meetings, which help to guide the strategy at CPRE Bedfordshire, alongside project planning and marketing.

Colin finds that there are always opportunities for all trustees to contribute, regardless of skillset.

Hedgerow Heroes

Colin has played a key role in running and developing the Hedgerow Heroes project at CPRE Bedfordshire. Having previously had limited experience of hedge-laying, he finds the project incredibly rewarding, especially being able to see the product of their work and the benefits it creates. ‘It’s a lovely experience because you’re working with lots of other volunteers and you’re out there, generally in nice weather (sometimes very cold wet weather!) but that’s the fun of it.’

Coordinating the project involves tasks that Colin was familiar with from his working life, including community consultation, site evaluation and accessibility considerations. ‘Whether you’re planning to build a factory or planning to plant a hedge, believe it or not, it’s the same kind of stuff that you have to get in place’.

After laying the hedges, the team also review the sites and work with local parish councils to maintain their hard work.

Community Spirit

CPRE Bedfordshire also run the Living Countryside Awards, to recognise good news stories in their local communities. He finds it a positive antidote to the constant doom and gloom usually covered in mainstream media. In contrast to the general perception in the press indicating a lack of community spirit in England, nominations for the award prove that this spirit still exists in varying shapes and sizes. Often small groups of people coming together to create something for the community. The true value of these projects, Colin says, isn’t just in the tangible products, but in the energy and connection they generate.

Local Influence

Looking ahead, Colin is encouraged by CPRE Bedfordshire’s involvement in the early planning stages of the proposed Universal theme park near Bedford. While supportive of the development, the group is asking important questions around the planning process to shape the impact of the development and how it fits into its surrounding environment.

Thinking of Trusteeship?

To anyone thinking about becoming a trustee Colin says, ‘You can make a difference. You might think, ‘What can I do?’. Whatever your skills and background, I’d guarantee you’ve got something that will contribute and add value to the organisation.’

Inspired by Colin’s story?

If you want to contribute to your countryside and community, consider becoming a trustee with your local CPRE group. You don’t need any planning expertise, just enthusiasm and the drive to make a difference. Take a look at our volunteering pages and current opportunities or reach out to your local group directly.

You can find out more about CPRE Bedfordshire here. Check out the Instagram page here and Facebook page here.