Cotswold Voluntary Wardens South District
Summary
Cotswold Voluntary Wardens are the volunteer arm of the Cotswolds Conservation Board and for almost 50 years have been giving our time and skills to enhance and encourage enjoyment of the Cotswolds. Cotswold Wardens organise and lead a full programme of guided walks throughout the year.
There are over 400 members of the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens spread across five Districts of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
We are the volunteer arm of the Cotswolds Conservation Board and for almost 50 years have been giving our time and skills to enhance and encourage enjoyment of the Cotswolds.
We have in place a network of “parish wardens” throughout the Cotswolds. These wardens patrol the footpaths of their parish and also maintain regular contact with parish councils and landowners. In many parishes these wardens are already in regular contact with designated representatives of the councils and the lines of communication are working well. We are, however, well aware that coverage of all parishes in South district is incomplete.
Cotswold Wardens can assist landowners and councils in the following ways:
- By patrolling footpaths and bridleways to advise the Public Rights of Way officers of problem areas. They may also identify local features in need of restoration. Cotswold wardens work closely with all PROW teams.
- By mobilising trained & insured work parties to clear blocked paths, stiles and stone walls, in co-operation with landowners. Where required, wardens install new kissing gates, stiles, steps and footbridges. Work parties also undertake other appropriate community projects, such as hedge-laying, tree planting, dry stone walling, and the conservation of unimproved limestone grassland, meadows, and of broadleaved woodlands.
Guided Walks
Cotswold Wardens organise and lead a full programme of guided walks throughout the year. These are published on our website. The Cotswold AONB has been renamed “Cotswold National Landscape”.
Download “Guided Walks near Stroud in July and August 2023”
Our labour is entirely free of charge. However, we welcome voluntary contributions from ramblers enjoying our guided walks. All donations go to the “Cotswold Conservation Board Countryside Fund.” Such funds are used to source materials for projects endorsed by Wardens in order to conserve and enhance the Cotswolds, or to promote understanding and enjoyment of them.
If you would like to find out more about our services, please contact me at jagchg@yahoo.co.uk . I am a warden and also was a parish councillor at King’s Stanley. Further information on the Cotswolds AONB, guided walks, and Cotswold Voluntary Wardens can be found on www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk.
John Graham ( South District Cotswold Wardens) tel. 01453 823351.