This year my conservation group is 30 years old. I have been a member for 24 of those years, many as a chairperson, organiser, fundraiser etc. I met my 2nd husband in the group and many of my group friends also met their partners while getting mucky in the great out doors.
I started when I came to Derby to train as a nurse. I did some conservation before when I lived in Shropshire between the years of 16 and 18. I would cycle to task, sometimes some distance away, work for the day and cycle home. I haven't been as fit since.
I met lots of different people in the group outside of nursing. People from all walks of life who kept me grounded.
My second Christmas in Derby was rough. I had no money as I had paid rent up front when I got my pay and a big (wrong) phone bill came in which I was told I had to pay. This left me with very little but my conservation friend bought me a food parcel and bought me drinks on pub nights. They were there for me. I was never lonely and my friends from those times are still with me.