SUSTAINABILITY

FEATURES
A majestic black grouse © Jean Clayden
Norman obviously did something
right as the first offcial conservation
group formed at Longmoor/Bordon
Training Area in 1974 with eight more
groups forming shortly after. By
1975 there were 40 groups and after
Norman’s time in post 201 groups had
been star ted.
stakeholder liaison and management,
monitoring, providing data and
advice that the MOD can use to
inform adaptive management of the
estate. A well functioning group adds
significant value for money to MOD
sites from stakeholder engagement on
environmental issues and a resource
suppor ting estate information
through to communicating the
good stewardship credentials of
the MOD to the wider public. The
last for t y years of good will and
dedicated stewardship of the estate
is testament to their input.
Norman passed away on 28th
December 2003 aged 82; there is
a fitting obituary in the back of
Sanctuary Magazine No 33 (2004).
Jean is delighted to know that
the work Norman accomplished
became a blue print for stakeholder
engagement in conservation across
many of the other major landowners
in the UK, which continues to inspire
people today.
Iain Perkins and Hannah Mintram
Conservation Group Team
Defence Infrastructure Organisation
Sanctuary magazine first took form in
1975 as a typed communication tool
allowing conservation groups to keep
up to date with news from around the
country, as well as to feel part of the
wider MOD conservation community.
To enhance the readers experience
Jean would regularly produce
drawings for the magazine, which she
promptly sent to the offce for printing.
Jean was also appointed duty
driver and accompanied Norman to
meetings all over the country. On
these trips, Jean would make good
use of her time waiting for Norman
by getting out her sketching kit. She
would capture the scene writing notes
on the back of each picture describing
the place and why she was there. Jean
read some of her notes aloud during
the interview and it really brought the
pictures to life. Jean still has her full
collection of Sanctuary illustrations
including a selection of coloured prints
which she has generously contributed
to this ar ticle.
There are now over 120 conservation
groups working hard across the MOD
and it all started with one man and his
devoted wife by his side.
A recent review showed that these
groups provide a vital forum for
Jean kindly showing the team her fantastic paintings © Crown
Sanctuary 44 • 2015
17