Meet Colin Newton - Community Volunteer

By Laura Ross

Communications Officer, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

With over 460 hectares of coastal and wetland landscape, it's vital we have a team at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve to preserve and improve the site for visitors and wildlife. To help with this, we have recently recruited two Community Volunteers who will be on hand to provide information and guidance to visitors, along with helping to report any issues and carrying out minor maintenance jobs. I caught up with one of them, Colin Newton, who has been visiting the nature reserve for over 60 years, to get the lowdown on his new role.

What interested you in the new role of Community Volunteer?

I already volunteer for the monthly beach clean at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. I felt this new role would give me the opportunity to become more involved on the nature reserve, while hopefully providing a service both to Sussex Wildlife Trust and its visitors.

Talk us through a typical day 

I work from 9-11am on Saturday or Sunday. After collecting equipment from the Discovery Centre, I complete a circuit of the Gooders, Denny, Parkes and Crittall Hides. I clear any litter and check for any damage or vandalism which need to be reported. On my way around, I collect any litter or dog poo bags and have a cursory check of fencing and signage. I also make sure I'm talking to members of the public and answering any questions they may have too.

Tell us a bit about your background and any transferable skills you have

Before retiring, I worked for 48 years in construction management and structural examination on the railway network. This experience is incredibly helpful in enabling me to identify and report any maintenance issues.

What are you most looking forward to about the role?

Hopefully assisting the trust in providing a cleaner and safer environment so that the public can safely enjoy this marvellous reserve. Also, helping the public with any queries. I also get to enjoy the reserve myself, early in the morning before it gets too busy! My wife, Viv, has now joined me as a Community Volunteer, so we can now enjoy our shifts together and she can keep an eye on me.

What do you see as your biggest challenges? 

There is a significant issue with dog fouling in some areas of the nature reserve. It's not a particularly pleasant job collecting dog poo bags that irresponsible dog owners have left behind, or avoiding the dog fouling on the footpaths. It is a challenge for us all to attempt to persuade this small minority of irresponsible dog owners that it is not acceptable, or safe, to not clear up after their dogs, especially on a nature reserve.

Tell us something about you we might not know

I have been a keen supporter of West Ham United for at least 60 years and a season ticket holder for many years. I took up Kyokushinkai karate in my mid-twenties and competed at local and national level. I was club champion in 1986. Unfortunately I was forced to retire from karate, due to a foot injury, about 25 years ago.

We'd like to say a big thank you to Colin and Viv, and all our volunteers who give up their time to support Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. If you're interested in getting involved, please email [email protected] to find out more about volunteering opportunities.