Posted on Thursday 31st July 2025
Countryside volunteers: Bill Smithson, 83 (left) and Sally Christmas, 54 (right).
Staffordshire County Council is celebrating its dedicated countryside volunteers during Love Parks Week, and encouraging others to get involved and help support the county’s beautiful landscapes.
Love Parks Week (25 July – 3 August) is a national celebration, led by Keep Britain Tidy, that shines a spotlight on the vital role parks play in our communities and the people who help look after them.
Staffordshire County Council manages several popular country parks including Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Apedale, Deep Hayes and Greenway Bank – all of which benefit from the time, energy and passion of volunteers.
Among those lending a hand is 83-year-old Bill Smithson, who volunteers at Greenway Bank Country Park. Twice a week, Bill litter picks and carries out minor repairs to help keep the site clean and safe.
Bill said:
“I like to watch the birds. I used to keep a log of the birds I had seen while out around the park.”
Bill is a marathon runner and has always enjoyed walking. He took up volunteering 21 years ago after he bumped into one of the county council’s rangers on one of his countryside walks. He has kept it up ever since.
Bill said:
“I would encourage others to volunteer at Greenway. It is a pretty site with a lot of history; I enjoy spending time in the park and I’m sure others would too.”
Sally Christmas, aged 54, has been volunteering at Apedale Country Park for eight years. Her efforts include clearing overgrown vegetation, building paths and fences and removing non-native plants from ponds.
She has even taken part in a number of wildlife surveys for orchids, butterflies and newts.
Sally said:
“It’s nice to think I’m giving a bit back to the community. I would strongly encourage others to volunteer as it is great for your physical and mental health and helps to provide a safer and more enjoyable experience for visitors to the park.
“You can gain a wealth of knowledge about the local wildlife and plants and meet plenty of like-minded people. There is also tea and biscuits provided and, if we are really lucky, a bit of cake!”
More than 1,300 hours were contributed by volunteers in June - 25% higher than any month in the last three years.
Hayley Coles, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, said:
“We’re incredibly proud of our countryside volunteers. They make such a positive difference to our parks and help keep them safe and tidy for everyone to enjoy.
“Love Parks Week is a great time to say thank you to them and to invite more people to get involved. Whether you’ve just got a spare few hours a week to lend a hand or you’re a young person looking for work experience this summer, it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and help protect our natural spaces.”
Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to email countrysidevolunteers@staffordshire.gov.uk to express their interest.
Organisations interested in carrying out volunteering days at Staffordshire’s country parks are also encouraged to get in touch.
For the latest volunteer opportunities, visit Countryside Volunteers - Staffordshire County Council.