We are absolutely thrilled to announce that this year’s winners of the Jon Smith Award are Andrew Cuthbert and Geoff Willis, long-term volunteers at the Great Fen. The Jon Smith Award was introduced in 2017, in memory of a dearly missed colleague, and recognises a volunteer who has gone the extra mile in their work for the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants. 

Nominated by multiple members of the Great Fen team, we are delighted their service has been recognised. We caught up with them both to hear why they chose to get involved and how they’ve found their experience.

Andrew Cuthbert

“In 2010 there was an open day at Woodwalton Fen called 'Tea with the Rothschilds',” said Andrew. “Alan Bowley dressed up as Charles Rothschild and led short tours of the site. My wife, Ann, and I went along and met Louise Rackham and Mandy Corney in the Rothschild Bungalow. I'd just taken semi-retirement, was looking for something to fill my spare time and Louise and Mandy made a convincing case for volunteering on the Great Fen. I was intrigued by the project and agreed to come along.

“My first day as a volunteer in December 2010 was with a group and we carried out some scrub clearing at the Countryside Centre in Ramsey Heights. At lunchtime, Louise and Mandy appeared with mince pies and mulled wine for everyone and I thought, "Wow! This is great! We're treated really well!" before realising that it was the last volunteer day before Christmas and so was just a special celebratory event!

“Nevertheless, they'd won me over and after that, I regularly attended the volunteer groups. I also, at Louise's request, helped individually at Ramsey Heights with various site management tasks. Eventually Jon Smith asked Geoff Willis and I if we'd work with him outside of the volunteer group sessions on the wider Great Fen and so we became so-called ‘key volunteers’ and have generally worked as a pair ever since, putting up and repairing fences, gates and dipwell surrounds, making benches, brushcutting and various other manual tasks.”

The two work fantastically as a team, they have become firm friends through volunteering and have worked at least one day per week over the last 11 years. 

“Stand out memories would have to be helping to build the Jon Smith bird hide from old tyres and straw bales," remembers Andrew, "being photographed for Country Living Magazine, walking the 39-mile Rothschild Way three times (including the first) to raise money for the Great Fen, dressing up as Captain Fentastic for a promotional video aimed at Reception and Year 1 children, seeing an otter at Woodwalton Fen and having a minor role during the Spitfire excavation (seeing two Spitfires fly over and dip their wings in salute was very moving).

“Mainly though it's just enjoying the work, being outside, getting exercise and meeting some lovely people. Also, although I didn't normally get mince pies and wine I did get lots of appreciation from the WT staff and a great sense of satisfaction.

“It was a great honour, delight and surprise to receive the Jon Smith Award along with Geoff, especially as it's in his name. Jon was a lovely man who was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and a great inspiration. I was pleased to call him a friend and he is sorely missed.”

Geoff Willis

“Why did I decide to volunteer on the Great Fen? By accident!!” explains Geoff. “Just after I retired my wife and I visited the Ramsey Rural Museum where the Wildlife Trust had a stall. Amongst other things Mandy explained that the Great Fen had a Friday volunteer group, so I thought I would give it a go as I liked being outdoors doing practical activities and wanted to do some form of volunteering. Having done a few Fridays and met up with Andrew who was already a volunteer, Jon Smith asked if we were interested in volunteering more regularly. The result was that we started volunteering on a weekly basis and the rest is history!!!

"I have many happy memories over the 10 years that Andrew and I have worked together. The one that really stands out was the building of the bird hide out of straw. This was such an unusual concept that was part of Jon’s vision for the Great Fen and which is now fittingly named after him in his memory.

"I was somewhat taken by surprise when I received an email from Brian Eversham to say I had been selected for the Jon Smith Award along with Andrew when there are so many volunteers working for the Trust. It made me realise even more how much our work had been appreciated and it was a real honour to have been selected."

“Andrew and Geoff are such advocates of what we do at the Wildlife Trust, they are committed, come out whatever the weather and are just two thoroughly nice guys! It’s wonderful to see their hard work get the recognition it deserves, and we hope they’ll inspire others to join in with volunteering for the Trust,” said Louise Rackham, Engagement Director.

The award was presented at the Wildlife Trust BCN AGM at the Northampton School for Boys, by our chair, Professor William Stephens. Geoff and Andrew were able to choose £75 worth of books as a prize.

We are grateful to all our fantastic volunteers for the time and skills they lend to the Wildlife Trust. If this has inspired you to spare some hours volunteering at the Great Fen, or in the wider BCN area, please get in touch https://www.wildlifebcn.org/get-involved/volunteer