Group of six people walking in a grassy field with tall trees in the background on a sunny day.

Friends of Walkmill

Looking after the woodland for future generations

A key part of the Walkmill project is to make sure all the fantastic work happening now continues well beyond the project’s official end in September 2027, when West Cumbria Rivers Trust hands it over to the community to take forward into the future. That’s where the Friends of Walkmill group comes in.

This volunteer-led group will help care for the woodland on behalf of the landowners, Moresby Parish Council, helping to maintain and monitor the site so that it stays a well-loved and welcoming space for years to come.

Meet the team

Meet some of the friendly faces behind the group. We’re a newly formed team, just getting started and learning the ropes, and already excited about getting out on site and working together on practical, hands-on conservation. There’s plenty to come as we build experience and find our feet. We’re also keen to welcome new members, so if you are interested in getting involved, do get in touch below.

Jenny is the Project Manager for A Wilder Walkmill, supporting the development of the group as it grows. She’s working closely with the team to build confidence, skills and experience so they’re ready to take on the long-term management and maintenance of Walkmill when the project concludes in September 2027.

Jenny

Temporary Chair

Jason moved from Elstead, Surrey, where he volunteered as a warden and ranger at Thursley Common NNR for four years. He works from home in RFID security and has spent many years in computer technical support. In his spare time he enjoys organising beer festivals, photography and clay pigeon shooting.

Jay

Treasurer

Judith was born and bred in the mining area of South Yorkshire with many family connections to the mining industry. A geographer at heart she is interested in both the history of Walkmill and seeing how it can be used for community benefit now and in the future

Judith

Secretary

Laura has a lifelong passion for nature and the outdoors. She has helped maintain and improve the site since the WCRT first became involved at Walkmill. She enjoys using a scythe to maintain the wildflower areas and observing the wildlife that lives on and visits the woodland.

Laura

Volunteer Coordinator

Louise moved to Cumbria five years ago and found Walkmill a great place to walk her dog. Whilst walking there one day she saw a poster advertising a Green Gym, she signed up and has been volunteering ever since. She wants to help keep the area maintained and accessible to the community. 

Louise

Member

Phil has a degree in Civil Engineering which led to a forty-year career with a national contractor before early retirement in 2018. Phil has volunteered with WCRT ever since. A lifelong interest in DIY has given him a good basis for conservation work and he loves leading work parties to support volunteer coordinators.

Phil

Member

An abstract background with beige and light brown flowing shapes.

Want to get involved?

You don’t need to be an expert – there are lots of ways to get involved, and we offer training in areas like:

Applying for community funding
Basic IT skills
Site management and maintenance planning

We’re aiming to leave the site in a great condition, so there won’t be huge amounts of work to do – just the usual upkeep you’d expect at a well-used public space.