Retired half brothers Terry Doyle and Peter Horton are both volunteer rangers in the South Downs National Park. Terry explains what is particularly special about the park and why it needs our help - in this region the Mend our Mountains funding will repair sections of path along the South Downs Way.

The South Downs Way runs the length of the National Park, allowing walkers, horseriders and mountain-bikers to enjoy the fresh air of the rick chalk grasslands, crystal clear rivers, beautiful woodlands and the cultural heritage along the trail. However the thin soil covering the paths erodes quickly, exposing the soft chalk underneath, which is then easily cut by water running off the hills.

Three areas need urgent attention right now: MIllpond Bottom (Pen HIll, West Sussex), Plumpton Plain (East Sussex) and Old Winchester HIll (Hampshire). That's why Mend Our Mountains has teamed up with the South Downs National Park Trust to raise funds for repair through Mend Our Mountains (donate to the effort via Crowdfunder here). 

SS: Were you born here, or when did you move, and what do you find special about the region?

TD: My half brother Peter and I were born in Plymouth and, by chance, both ended up in Hampshire some 40 years ago. Discovering that we had many interests in common, we started walking together. I became a South Downs Volunteer Ranger around 2000 - mainly scrub-bashing and the like. Some eight or nine years later, as my physical capabilities declined, the opportunity to become a warden on the South Downs Way came up. I mentioned to this to Peter during one of our walks and we applied to look after adjacent sections of the Way. This was in 2009 and we still look after these.

How do you get along working together, have you always been close?

We don't actually work together and we were not close until we both arrived in Hampshire - I was 40 and Peter younger. I had left home at 17 and really didn't know my half brother that well. Somehow over the intervening years, however, we had come to the same conclusions on life and found that we had much in common.

What particular conservation challenges does the region face?

Most of our walking is within the Park and we both enjoy the feeling of space, solitude and scenery. Peter is a keen student of geology and I like wildlife and plantlife. We find much to see and discuss during our walks.

WATCH Mend the South Downs Way:

What is needed in terms of restoration and conservation?

From our experience the main pressures on the South Downs Way come from modern farming methods and mountain bikers, both of which cause damage to the Way.

From my point of view there has to be a change in people's view of the natural world and this must start very early in the education system. Giving children the opportunity to experience the outdoors and appreciate the inter-connectedness between human activity and the environment can only help the problems that the Park encounters.

Why did you both decide to become volunteer rangers?

We both enjoying walking and feel that we should give something back.

What does the work entail?

We check the state of the track bed, the signage and furniture and cut back any overgrowth that we can. We pick up litter and help anyone who has queries as to direction, accommodation and the like. This is then reported back to the centre on a monthly basis.

What would you say to anyone considering becoming a volunteer ranger, or wanting to give back to their local environment?

Become involved for the exercise, the companionship and the feeling that you are giving something back.
 

DO YOUR BIT: Pledge to fix the South Downs on Crowdfunder

More info

The Mend our Mountains appeal, which is generously supported by headline sponsors Cotswold Outdoor and Snow+Rock, is on track for its £1 million target with eight months still to go. So what can you do to get involved? From organising your own fundraising challenge (check out BMC member Richard Duckworth’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ challenge to walk all the projects supported by the appeal here) to donating money or buying something like a box of Cliff bars, there are plenty of big and small ways you can do your bit, depending on how much time you have! You can either donate specifically to one National Park or generally to the greater cause.

Check out the Mend our Mountains website for more details of the campaigns currently going on in our other National Parks and how you can help.

For more information on the South Downs National Park: www.southdowns.gov.uk

We want to say a big thanks to every BMC member who continues to support us through the Coronavirus crisis.

From weekly Facebook Lives and GB Climbing home training videos, to our access team working to re-open the crags and fight for your mountain access, we couldn’t do it without you.

Did you know that we've just launched a new U27 membership offer for just £1.50 / month? And with full membership from £2.50 / month, it's never been easier to join and support our work: 

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/join-the-bmc-for-1-month-U27-membership

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