How we’re run

Richard was formerly Director of Environmental Services for Carlisle City Council. During the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001 he was the lead officer dealing with the outbreak and knew the former airfield at Wiggonby as a burial site from its original conception. He attended joint meetings with local residents and Parish Councils which ultimately led to the establishment of Watchtree Nature Reserve. 

Richard was formerly a Chairman of the Friends of Tullie House where he became one of the founding Trustees when it was established as a Charitable Trust. On his retirement from these roles he was invited to become a Director of Watchtree. 

His interests have always been associated with the Environment and he has been a member of various Wildlife and Countryside organisations for many years. Apart from this he is a keen photographer, lecturer and competition judge representing the North West Counties on the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. The interest in photography takes him all over the country and leads him into the pleasures of hill walking in the hope of finding good subject material. 

William Little was born at Linden Farm, Baldwinholme. On leaving school he worked in partnership with his brother Thomas, and his father until his death, on the 200 acre farm.  Linden Farm was mainly dairy with a small beef unit. 

 In his late teens William became a member of Raughton Head Young Farmers Club, going on to hold the office of Chairman twice and then Treasurer.  This gave him valuable experience in public speaking, quizzes, debating groups, stock judging and all things rural.  At around this time he also ran a very successful youth club in Dalston Methodist Church for around ten years. 

 He became a parish councillor for Orton Parish in 1983 and was appointed chairman three years later.  In 1994 he was appointed onto the executive committee of Carlisle Parish Council’s Association, going on to become vice chairman. He is also vice president of Dalston Agricultural Show for Life. 

 Following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth in February 2001, William saw the devastating effects it had on the local community.  When he was asked to join the Liaison Committee at the Foot and Mouth burial site on Gt Orton airfield, he was therefore happy to take the opportunity.  He subsequently realised the potential the site had for future development as a nature reserve with special emphasis on education.  He also saw this as an opportunity to take away the stigma of Foot and Mouth for local communities. Consequently, he became one of the founding members of Watchtree Nature Reserve.  He really enjoys leading walks, giving talks and contributing to the general running of the site as a Director. 

Before Clive retired, he was involved in the financial sector all his working life as a Pensions Manager, latterly for Pirelli and before in an insurance company. This involved dealing with Investment and Audits as well as members. His expertise in finance makes him an invaluable asset at Watchtree Nature Reserve. Clive loves being in the great outdoors he especially enjoys walking and appreciates the beauty of the countryside, in particular the Lake District

Frank became involved with Watchtree in 2002 when he was working for English Nature as Nature Reserve Manager for the North Cumbria National Nature Reserves. Defra had set up a local liaison group and he was invited to attend meetings representing English Nature. In 2004, Defra suggested that people from the Local Community might wish to consider managing the Nature Reserve. In 2005 he became a founder member of Watchtree Nature Reserve and chaired the Trust from 2005 to 2015.  

In 1971 joined the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers in Scotland as a volunteer Field Officer. He obtained job with BTCV in 1972, which led him to become North Regional Officer based near Bradford in 1973.  He left the BTCV in 1977 and secured a post as Countryside Warden for Northamptonshire County Council based at Irchester Country Park. However, in 1979, his application for a post with the Nature Conservancy Council was successful and obtained the position of warden for the new National Nature Reserve on Banks Marsh on Ribble Estuary.  By 1985, he moved to Cumbria where he took up the post of Site Manager for the North Cumbria National Nature Reserves.  

Frank has lived most of his life in the Countryside and his interest in nature was stimulated by a farmer whom my father worked for and who’s collection of bird’s eggs and Butterflies he found fascinating.  Frank has developed an all-round interest in all thing’s nature and habitats. His particular interests are Birds and Butterflies. Frank is also a BTO licenced bird ringer, trainer, and leader of Watchtree Ringing Group. His natural history interests led him to Carlisle Natural History Society and is currently President. Frank still carries out a few wildlife surveys and has been a BTO WeBs (monthly counts of water birds on the Estuary) counter for 33 years. He is an obsessive counter and recorder of wildlife and enjoys giving talks and leading walks. 

Bob is local to the area, and has worked within the Textile and Water industries before spending over 30 years at the National River Authority and Environment Agency, undertaking Area, Regional and National roles.

As part of the EA Regional Incident Response team he undertook Operational management roles during major flood events and in the 2001 FMD outbreak, he was involved in working with other EA internal functions and external partner organisations, which incorporated the use of Great Orton Airfield, now Watchtree Nature Reserve.

As a local, Bob was aware of and experienced the significant impact FMD had on the local area and community, and became a member of the local liaison committee, who consulted with Defra and the community regarding the site’s development and was one of the initial seven WNR Ltd Directors and Trustees of Watchtree Nature Reserve Charity

Involved with Watchtree since 2001 and its subsequent development Bob has undertaken volunteer roles covering Habitat management, community access and the development of the Wheelers, Visitor Centre/ Caf’e and Events.

As a Director /Trustee, he continues to be actively involved with the development, running and management of the reserve.

Early recognition of WNR was achieved, following his submissions covering the initial Watchtree teams progress and site development, the site was awarded the Evening News and Star Herdy Environment Project awards in 2002 & 2004 which were presented by John Craven of Country File. These awards were just the beginning of the WNR success story.

Alan’s involvement with Watchtree started not long after he moved to the area in 2010 from Yorkshire. His children thoroughly enjoyed being part of Watchtree Wheelers, and they volunteered at the Reserve as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Alan is a keen runner and can regularly be seen running around the 5K route – more often than not completing more than one circuit to make it a 10K, or longer. Alan works in special needs education and is a strong advocate for accessible cycling and inclusive outdoor activities. He has seen the Reserve develop over the years, and is delighted to be on the Board of Trustees.

Karen has lived, studied and worked in Carlisle most of her life.  An MBA graduate with a Diploma in Fundraising, Karen works at the University of Cumbria with business development responsibility for arts and education.  She has a wealth of experience in project and event management, supporting small business start-ups, funding and fundraising, stakeholder engagement and as a mentor to creative graduates. In addition, Karen is chair of the Advisory Panel of the Cumbrian grant awarding body, the Hadfield Trust.

Karen is now a regular of Watchtree’s running community and, as a Trustee, is keen to use her skills and experience to support the continued growth and sustainability of the nature reserve.