The Magog Downs Rangers - past, present and future

And of course, they are also the Wandlebury Ranger Team who were made redundant in 2015, together with the previous, as he was then Head Warden, Bill Clark. They were gathered in Stapleford today, for the AGM of The Magog Trust.

We woke earlier than normal for a Saturday, and drove down to Linton. There we dropped Henry with friends for the day, and made a dash to Melbourn to catch up with the in laws and a quick bite to eat. It was all a bit rushed, but back in the car we headed to Wandlebury. There we picked up Bill, who has given up driving now, and drove to Stapleford.

As some will know, Jon had the good fortune to gain part time employment as a Ranger on the Downs, following the redundancy. For 2 & 1/2 years he has commuted for 3 and then more recently 2 days a week, from North Norfolk to Cambridge. It has been a mutually beneficial arrangement as the charity has been supportive to us at a difficult time, and provided much needed security, whilst also allowing Jon to continue in a role he loves and is so good at. But with another winter approaching, and the promise of an extra day of work in Norwich each week, he took the difficult decision to give up the Magog Downs ranger work, in order to become fully Norfolk based. His last day was Thursday and today was coincidentally their AGM.

Nick and Claire did an excellent presentation, to share the information they have gathered over the summer, from surveys they have carried out on the Downs. There were so many different species of wild flowers and butterflies, moths, beetles and spiders, and it made me want to get out in my village and do some identification. Many I had never heard of.

From there, we dropped Bill back home. I had earlier given Wendy a final edit of my book to read through. She has written and published all her life, so I thought would be a good person to read it through before I press the publish button. She had read half already, and so far had positive feedback.

On to our last stop. Polly and Richard in Burwell and a lovely evening of eating, drinking, chatting and looking at their beautiful wedding photos. We hope they will be able to visit us before Christmas so that I can return their hospitality.

After mixed success at contacting/locating Henry in Linton, we eventually picked him up at 9.30. Now we are on the drive home, and should be back about 11.30.

It's been a lovely day, I just wish I'd had a bit longer with each of them. I need to see old Linton too. All together in a pub one evening perhaps? Can someone organise that and I just turn up?!! Just need more time in my week for the good things