FRIENDS OF BEDFORD CEMETERY NATURE WALK PAGE

We very much regret that owing to Brian Anderson moving from the area we have been unable to continue the monthly nature report. (to see Brian's farewell message go to Monthly Nature Report 2011)

We are pleased however to introduce you to Jon Bishop. Jon, often accompanied by his devoted dog Dexter, will be leading natural history walks on both Sunday 27th May and Tuesday 29th May (for further details see Events Page). Jon knows the cemetery quite well, but still feels he is finding out new things of interest. He hopes at sometime in the future, to be able to produce a regular nature report as Brian Anderson has done in the past.

Jon Bishop tells us about himself.
I was born and grew up in Bedfordshire but my parents hail from the East End of London. As a child I spent much of my time when not at school playing on Flitwick Moor and in Flitwick Wood. As I got a bit older I would cycle further a field and spent a lot of time on the Greensand Ridge and Barton Hills. I also became a keen angler in my younger days so when not roaming the countryside would often spend time fishing the River Great Ouse, the various clay and gravel pits and the canals in the south of the County with my Dad and Brother. I stopped fishing when I was about 17.

When I was around 20 I moved to the south of the County and then again would spend much of my free time when not working walking in the Chilterns in Bedfordshire and further afield into Herts and Bucks.

I moved to Bedford in my late 20’s when I started working at Priory Country Park. I started as a Ranger and as the older chaps retired I became the Warden. When not at work I still spend much of my free time walking in all my old haunts and further away in the peaks of Derbyshire.

As you can tell I love walking and the outdoors and can’t get enough of it. I love all aspects of wildlife from flowers, trees, birds, butterflies etc. I love walking in the woods, the hills, the river valleys and the green lanes. Nearly every aspect of what I know ID wise I have taught myself over the years.

I am also a keen Morris dancer so that gives me the opportunity to visit some of the beautiful villages and pubs in Herts, Beds and Bucks. So as you can see with my kids and everything else I have quite a hectic life which is why I retreat to the country as much as possible. My job at the Country Park allows me to give back to the local community and also care for the countryside I cherish so much.

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