Margaret - Our Wildlife Conservation Hero!
Learn about the amazing conservation projects undertaken by our client Margaret and how these were recognised with an MBE!
One of the amazing privileges of working with our clients is that we get to learn about each person’s unique life and achievements, the things that really “make them tick!” Our Care Pro Irene knew first hand our client Margaret had brilliant knowledge of wildlife, and she was thrilled to hear about how this expertise had led to Margaret being awarded an MBE by the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II!
Margaret has had a lifelong interest in wildlife. On moving to a rural Oxfordshire village in 1986 she was keen to be involved in local environmental projects, so much so that she started a Wildlife Club for her village Primary School children. This club was so successful that she ran it for the following 28 years, with Margaret continuing it into her 80s. It just goes to show how older people can and do make a huge contribution to society well beyond what is typically thought of as ‘working life’ years.
During the 1980s, there was growing awareness that old churchyards were valuable pockets of original species-rich pasture. This was a time when the landscape was increasingly dominated by intensive agricultural and building development. Margaret’s village churchyard fell into this category as an area of interest and in 1990 a plan was formulated to manage the 3-acre churchyard as a conservation area.
Margaret’s input to this project was fundamental. The project involved photographs of churchyard wildlife being displayed in the church over the subsequent years to educate and enlighten the general public about just how valuable a habitat the churchyard was. Over the years the churchyard scheme and various children’s projects Margaret was involved with won many awards, both locally and nationally.
Margaret tells us “To my great surprise, I was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, the citation being ‘For services to conservation’”. Margaret visited Buckingham Palace to receive the award from the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. What an achievement!
Margaret’s contribution went further still: she decided to write a book to share all the wildlife and historical information that had been collected over the years. The book published in 2016 and is called “The Living Churchyard – A Guide to God’s Acre”. Every single one of the 150 printed copies was sold, and this book can now be read on the village website.
Being in her 90s now, Margaret no longer takes part in the practical work however, following the work that Margaret started, a team of volunteers now keeps the churchyard in good order for the benefit of the wildlife and the whole village. Margaret is still connected with the churchyard and continues to enjoy being accompanied there for walks in her wheelchair by Irene – her Home Instead Care Pro. One of the many things that Irene loves about being Margaret’s regular Care Pro is what she learns from her – Margaret still recalls the names of all the minibeasts they see on their walks.
Both Care Pro, Irene, and the whole office team where delighted to see the photographs Margaret has kindly shared of her receiving her MBE. She looks as beautiful as ever! We are very proud of what our client, Margaret, has achieved in the past and how her contribution continues to this day.
At Home Instead we believe in enabling people to continue to live life to the full, doing all the things that they are uniquely created to do, and enjoy, for their whole lives. This is why we carefully match Care Pros to clients who have compatible interests and who will get on well and have a mutually beneficial relationship.
If you are interested in Home Care in this area see if Home Care in Swindon & the Vale of White Horse could be right for you or your loved ones.
