Mum's gift to wildlife
Conservation Officer Tammy Stretton reflects on her late mother, Judi, who lives on in the legacy she left MWT, and in the passion for wildlife she instilled in her devoted daughter
My late mother, Judith (Judi) Stretton was a passionate naturalist her whole life. She never ventured anywhere without a notebook and pencil secreted somewhere on her person, in case she wanted to note down a sighting. Her pair of binoculars, purchased in 1985, and still in regular use by my household, were a regular feature round her neck. A nurse until she became pregnant for the first time, she then devoted her life to bringing up her two children, as well as to her second love, wildlife.
She built a wildlife garden from scratch at our family home - and then took this knowledge and experience into the village churchyard...
Although she was rarely fortunate enough to get paid for her endeavours, Mum was a dedicated wildlife conservationist. She built a wildlife garden from scratch at our family home, and then took this knowledge and experience into the village churchyard, creating a haven for people and wildlife which won several awards, and continues to be managed by a team of volunteers more than 23 years later. She shared her passion with anyone who would listen, regularly presenting a range of talks, delivering events, and running courses at the Snowdonia National Park Enviromental Studies Centre, Plas Tan y Bwlch. She was also a keen photographer - with a particular focus on wildlife, of course!
Photo: © Tamasine Stretton
I don't know when my mum first joined a Wildlife Trust, but for as long as I can remember she was an enthusiastic supporter of the movement. In 1986, shortly after we moved to Oxfordshire, she began a 14-year long journey as volunteer warden for the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust’s (BBOWT) Tuckmill Meadows Nature Reserve. She also volunteered and did a little contract work for BBOWT covering many other roles, including as a committee member. After moving to Wales in 2006, it was natural for her to join MWT and she begin volunteering straight away, helping with surveys and people engagement; this continued until her illness prevented it, in late 2014. She also worked part-time for the Trust between 2006 and 2008, but continued to volunteer as well, helping to look after the wildlife garden at Severn Farm Pond, whilst supporting a range of surveys, from Local Wildlife Sites to nocturnal walks looking for bats and Glow-worms. In July 2009 she represented MWT at a Reception at 10 Downing Street; this was an event to celebrate the contribution that people make everyday in support of their local environmental wildlife projects and organisations, but Mum did not squander the opportunity to promote MWT with the then Prime Minister, Gordon Brown!
Mum's estate was modest, but she left £1,000 to MWT in her Will, wishing the Trust to use it wherever the need was greatest
Mum’s estate was modest, but she left £1,000 to MWT in her Will. She did not stipulate how this should be used, wishing the Trust to use it wherever the need was greatest. Her small gift helped to purchase Dolforwyn Woods Nature Reserve - a magical woodland bursting with wonderful wildlife such as Pied Flycatcher and Hazel Dormice - a very fitting and lasting legacy.
Arguably though, her real legacy is in the many people she inspired, not least me! As a child, I had constant exposure to nature and the outdoors, and it played a large part in inspiring me towards a career in conservation. I count myself incredibly lucky and hope I can do her legacy proud, as I continue her work!