Special Badge to Celebrate Volunteer Rangers’ Efforts during Lockdown

In recognition of the efforts of the Volunteer Rangers during 2020 they were presented with a commemorative badge from the Mendip Hills AONB Partnership. The following is the speech delivered to them at the time by chair of the AONB Partnership Cllr Nigel Taylor.

Every year the AONB Unit has looked to celebrate the efforts of one volunteer who has gone beyond the normal expectations of a volunteer or one who epitomises the spirit of the AONB volunteers. And during 2020, despite all it’s thrown at us, is no exception.  

While there were very few practical tasks the spotlight has been shined upon the Volunteer Rangers. There has been volunteer rangers on the Mendip Hills since the mid 1980’s and while the world has changed in many ways the fundamental role of a volunteer ranger has changed little. They are the eyes and ears on the ground making sure residents feel safe and visitors are welcomed and helped. Also, they provide an important flow of communication between the AONB Unit and the communities they come from. And that’s a key part of the role, these volunteer rangers live in the communities of the Mendip Hills. They are part of the local fabric and are hugely important ambassadors for the area.

The volunteer rangers have gone back to their core role this year as there has been no events or guided walks to get involved with. The AONB Partnership can boast a community of 43 Volunteer Rangers, trained and organised, with some who have been involved since the beginning and others who joined only last year.  

Despite lockdown restrictions the Volunteer Ranger community have contributed 500 hours dedicated to patrolling the Mendip Hills AONB since March this year.  During August 2020 which was by far our busiest month, the Volunteer Rangers set a new record by delivering 117 hours in one month to deliver the successful Hills Have Eyes campaign that raised awareness around antisocial behaviour and litter.  

This summer we know that volunteer rangers helped stop a fire in Stockhill Forest, flagged up suspicious building developments and two of them spent 3 hours just being points of information in and around Ebbor Gorge and had to explain to a lady why wearing carpet slippers up the gorge when it was slippery was not a good idea! 

We say this time and time again but this year it’s been even more evident that without our Volunteer Ranger community the AONB Unit would not be able to function as it does and support our partners in conserving and enhancing the Mendip Hills. The AONB Partnership should be incredibly proud and thankful for the effort of these individuals who give up their time so freely and capably. And for that reason this year the AONB Volunteer of the Year award goes to ALL the Volunteer Rangers.  

To ensure they are all recognised for their effort this year they will receive a unique badge with their logo and the year on. Not that they’ll ever forget this year! On behalf of myself, the residents and visitors to the Mendip Hills and the Partnership can I express my heartfelt thanks to them all.