We speak to Roger French - volunteer for 50 years

Emma Chaplin
, 03 July 2023
We speak to Roger French - volunteer for 50 years
Roger French © Emma Chaplin

Tell us a bit about yourself

I was born and bred in Brighton. I worked for BT (initially GPO, AKA General Post Office) all my career. I started out as as a telephone engineer, installing and fixing problems on exchanges. Then I moved into management. Finally, I ended up writing and supporting the programs and equipment that investigated billing disputes. My partner also worked for BT – what a surprise. We met when I mended her computer. We now live in Henfield.

Tell us about how you first encountered Sussex Wildlife Trust?

A work friend gave me a membership form in 1973 because they knew I was interested in wildlife.

And your roles with us since then?

In 1973 the Trust, which was the Sussex Naturalist Trust back then, advertised for volunteers in their magazine to help on a stand at the South of England show. So I went along. In subsequent years I organised the stand and became Sales Officer for the Horsham and Crawley group of the Sussex Trust.

I was on some Trust committees including the Woods Mill committee and the Sales committee. In those days the committees ran the Trust and managed any staff. When I first started there were only two paid staff. Now there are 114!

I undertook many, varied tasks as a volunteer at Woods Mill, including helping to organize an Art Show, Craft Fair, plus any odd jobs that were needed including keeping an eye on the reserve when the Warden wasn’t available.

From 1986-1992. I was a Trustee.

I bought the Trust's first computer for the Trust in about 1987, for the purposes of marketing. It was an Amstrad 1512 for those that can remember them. I have been supporting the Trust's computer and IT systems ever since. 

I've also been a conservation volunteer at Ebernoe Common for about 35 years.

When I took retirement in 1998 the Trust IT support became my ‘new’ job!

How do you relax?

I enjoy birdwatching, gardening and travelling.

Where are your favourite places in Sussex?

Ebernoe Common, Woods Mill and St Leonard's Forest.

Was this what you imagined ‘retirement’ would look like?

In a way yes – I an doing what I enjoy, keeping myself occupied and have been fortunate to travel to some amazing places.

Tell us something about you we wouldn’t know

I’m part of the team that has been restoring and repairing Jill Windmill (of Jack and Jill fame) at Clayton for nearly 40 years. It’s not unusual to see me climbing the sails (sweeps in Sussex) to do repair work.

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Comments

  • Jane Hand:

    How good to see you still at Woodsmill. You will remember my Mum and Dad well, Dorothy and Charlie Coleman. They always spoke fondly of you. I remember the art exhibitions well, and still have at least two prints that I bought at them.
    All the best to you Jane

    04 Jul 2023 17:41:00

  • Robin Crane:

    I well remember your enthusiastic and solid support at Woods Mill that you gave me when I was deputy chairman and then chairman at a time when the Trust was making its gradual transition from volunteers to staff. Your expertise was particularly valuable when computers first appeared upon the scene. Very Best wishes Robin Crane (ticking along aged 91!!)

    13 Jul 2023 11:06:00

  • Jan Abrahams:

    Very good to have news of you Roger. Many happy memories of those Trust committees in the early days (although some of them did go on rather late into the night) and the sun, rain, and even snow one year, encountered at the South of England Show. With very best wishes, Jan

    20 Jul 2023 11:24:00

  • Christine Dafter:

    Hi Roger. I have known you for some 20 years plus at Woods Mill, and you were always at hand every time I needed your computer or IT “rescue” skills!! So pleased to see you still helping at the Trust. Congratulations on 50 years? Really?!! Best Wishes Christine.

    20 Jul 2023 12:43:00

  • Sally:

    A simple Thank You Roger. You have shown how a volunteer can come with many different skills and talents, but the key thing is commitment to the organisation and passion for what the organisation does.

    20 Jul 2023 14:34:00

  • Sally:

    A simple Thank You Roger. You have shown how a volunteer can come with many different skills and talents, but the key thing is commitment to the organisation and passion for what the organisation does.

    20 Jul 2023 14:34:00

  • Maz:

    What a wonderful example of dedicated volunteering. Half a century and counting…..
    As Roger alludes to in the interview – when you are doing something you truly love doing, it is not work in the common sense of the word.
    Congratulations.

    20 Jul 2023 17:56:00

  • Shelagh Wadman:

    Congratulations Roger 👏🏻🙏🏻x

    21 Jul 2023 13:03:00

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