Garden paths leads to Downing Street

From the archive, first published Tuesday 9th Jan 2007.

A solicitor who was sitting behind a desk 18 months ago today spends her time in wellies and jeans nurturing the environment.

Sarah Baehren, from Farnhill, near Skipton, has learnt dry stone walling, how to construct a path and recognise otter habitats. These are among the skills she has cultivated as a member of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

In recognition of her commitment, Sarah, 47, was one of 11 people invited to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair and volunteering minister Ed Miliband at Downing Street.

Her new work involves helping co-ordinate volunteers who turn up daily looking for work at the BTCV centre at Hollybush Farm in Kirkstall, Leeds.

They carry out conservation work throughout the district in places like the Denso Marston nature reserve, off Otley Road, Shipley.

One of the latest projects saw volunteers working to produce a wildlife garden at Lees School, near Haworth.

Teacher Kathryn Bottomley, healthy schools co-ordinator, said volunteers had been to the school twice, first to turn part of the playground into a garden area and later to built a willow tunnel.

She said: "They have done a fantastic job and the children get a great deal from it. It attracts wildlife and we have planted lots of bulbs and it has helped us towards our National Healthy Schools award."

Sarah spends three days a week working with the organisation in between collecting data about childhood obesity in her other job as a social researcher.

"I wanted a complete career change after working 15 years as a solicitor," she said.

"I had always been interested in nature and conservation. My dad used to take me bird watching as a child and I've always been interested in wild flowers.

"I'm now trying even more to expand my knowledge about all things in the natural world and to expand my skills."

To that end she has already completed a dry stone wall course and learned to lay a path. Other tasks she aims to master are fencing and hedge laying and any other traditional crafts that come her way.

Sarah spends much of the three days she works for the charity at Hollybush, where volunteers are co-ordinated and sent to the various projects.

There are six paid workers and eight volunteers on the staff and approximately another 150 available to work in the field.

The chief executive of British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Tom Flood, said the volunteers made a big difference.

"Their passion and inspiration helps encourage others to get involved. We are delighted they have been recognised in this way."

e-mail: clive.white@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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