Martyn springs into action as Tir Coed’s new Mentor
Written by Tir Coed / Monday 04 July 2022
I am covering the Carmarthenshire Mentor role for a few months as maternity cover, I am really looking forward to my time here and hope to make a difference. I’m particularly looking forward to being part of a great team and learning all that I can from them.
Tell us a little something about yourself
I have been a gardener for the last 17 years, during which time I have been developing my conservation knowledge, completing my MSc in environmental conservation and as a volunteer with the RSPB and the woodland trust. Finding that I was spending all of my time working on local community conservation projects, I decided that I should change jobs.
What are your hobbies?
I play squash and table tennis, and kind of play the ukulele. I sing in a male voice choir, and am involved with developing disability sport and social inclusion at my local rugby club in Narberth. I’m probably at my happiest out in the countryside, on my hands and knees, identifying plants (or trying to) with my fellow nerds.
What excites you most about your new role?
The opportunity to improve people’s lives by connecting them with nature, and hopefully supporting and inspiring them at the start of a new life.
What do you enjoy most about being outdoors?
The tranquillity of being far from people (and mobile phones), and the smells and sounds.
What’s your favourite season and why?
As a gardener I love the spring, the excitement of seeing plants magically coming back to life and wildlife appearing from their winter hibernation. Sowing seeds for the vegetable garden with eager anticipation. But, as a gardener I also love the autumn, as I am ready for a break from all of that work. So I’ll split the difference and pick winter, a frosty winters morning can’t be beaten.
If you were a tree, what would you be?
Perhaps a cork oak. I’d get to live on the Mediterranean, support incredible cultural biodiversity and support the French wine industry (which is another hobby I forgot to mention earlier).
