Where does your interest in Cornwall’s wildlife come from?

Well, I grew up in the suburbs of London but used to come down here as a child – we would go Sennen every year and played with the local children. The rest is history, as one of those children was a red-headed Ellis who went onto become my husband! We then lived and raised our family , in a property neighbouring here, Pendarves Woods. Our children used to jump over the wall and play for hours – they even built a den under a bridge in the reserve, so this place has many special memories for me.

I think some of my love in nature is partly genetic. My father was killed before I was born, when he was an RAF pilot in the second World War. He used to write to my mother, and his letters are filled with details of the wildlife around him at whatever airport he was writing from – so obviously my love of wildlife was shared by my dad.

It really is something that’s always been, and still is, an important part of my life. I now belong to a University of the Third Age walking group, where we get out for 5+ mile walks in beautiful spots across Cornwall. We take it in turns to lead walks. It’s my turn next so I’m planning on bringing them here.

How did you first get involved with Cornwall Wildlife Trust?

My mother came to live down here, not long after I did. She was a member of the Redruth and Camborne Natural History Society. I joined her for a talk in Truro one evening and there were leaflets about Cornwall Wildlife Trust (or the Cornwall Naturalists' Trust at the time) and just got involved from there.

I’ve been a proud member ever since but have been involved in lots of other ways too. I was on Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s reserves and education committee, have delivered magazines, was a Trustee for a time, and used to run a Fox Cliub group. We’d come to Pendarves Woods lots, running camps, outings, and activities to get children learning about wildlife. It was great fun! And it fitted really well with my job, as I used to be a teacher.

I’ve got lots of fond memories over the years of volunteer gatherings and walks, and have made some brilliant friends through involvement with the Trust.

Become a member of Cornwall Wildlife Trust

This may sound like an obvious question, but why do you support Cornwall Wildlife Trust?

Well, I just love wildlife. It’s so important and has bought me and my family enormous pleasure throughout our lives. Anything we can to do protect it – especially given all the pressures it faces – is vital. And I trust Cornwall Wildlife Trust to make a real difference, including through managing nature reserves like Pendarves Woods. 

Any particularly memorable wildlife experiences?

There are certain things that stay with you. I remember one time as a teacher at Illogan Primary School, it was a glorious sunny day, so I said to the class “come on, let’s get out” (we had more flexibility then!).

We went down the lane near the school and there was a corner where stones had fallen from the Cornish hedge, and there was a sandy patch with a slow worm basking in the sun. So I hushed the children and we slowly crept forward until one child, Charlie, came thundering forward causing a racket – so the slow worm scooted off. One pupil immediately exclaimed, in a thick Cornish accent, “Mrs Ellis - that weren't no slow worm. That were some fast worm!” It was so funny! It’s moments like that, that really capture children’s imagination and stick with them.

Thank you for your support, Anne-Marie!

Thank You Week 2023