Page 48 • The HERALD • 12th March 2026 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SPECIALISTS v Yours Faithfully... More Than 700 Prospective Volunteers Attend New Forest National Park Volunteer Fair e New Forest National Park Volunteer Fair saw hundreds of people asking more than 50 local organisations about volunteering. e Fair took place on 25th January and focused on opportunities for all ages and abilities, whilst highlighting how volunteers can help bring communities together. Organisations at the Fair included the Countryside Education Trust, Freshwater Habitats Trust, Flourish in Nature, Guide Dogs, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, Litter Pickers of the New Forest, the RNLI, and RSPB. ere were opportunities on o er to suit everybody, from active tasks like improving footpaths and heathland to helping lead inclusive cycling rides and healthy walks, as well as low-activity and homebased roles, such as archiving, admin and social media. is year, the Fair was opened by PEDALL New Forest Inclusive Cycling Manager Shelley Filby, alongside New Forest National Park Authority CEO Alison Barnes and New Forest East MP Sir Julian Lewis. Members of the New Forest Youth Board also attended, championing young people’s experiences and youthfocused opportunities with the New Forest National Park Authority, (NPA) as well as organisations involved in the Youth for Climate and Nature (YouCAN) scheme. New Forest NPA Access And Learning Manager, Jim Mitchell said: “By bringing everybody together in one space every year we hope to ensure people find the right opportunity for them, whether it be on weekends, suitable for under 18s, or volunteering for those with additional needs. It’s a friendly and informal event and we’re delighted that we, as a National Park Authority, can bring all these groups, organisations and people together to support the New Forest.” PEDALL New Forest Inclusive Cycling Manager, Shelley Filby said: “Volunteers are essential for the safe delivery of our rides and to help with our public engagement, without them we simply couldn’t operate. Volunteering really helped me connect with new people, gave me a sense of purpose and meant I could give something back to the wider community.” Community First Lead Volunteering Service Coordinator, Jag Singh said: “The Fair is a great chance for us to speak to community members and find out what they want out of volunteering and what motivates them to get up every day and give their time and to do good in the community.” New Forest Youth Board Member Toby Pearse said: “I volunteer because it’s a good way to get out and to help with conservation, a good way to meet new people, and it’s a good way to help local communities. The New Forest National Park Volunteer Fair is a perfect starting point for career opportunities so people can build networks and learn more about the career they want to get into. This is particularly important for young people as the next generation of conservationists or the next people coming into a green or community-focused career.” To nd out more about the New Forest NPA and other organisations volunteering o ers visit: www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/ communities/volunteer anks to National Lottery players and the National Lottery Heritage Fund New Forest NPA have been able to support volunteering in the New Forest through the New Routes to Nature project. A Busy Month At St John’s Church from The Parish of Hythe March is a busy month at St John’s Church! On Sunday 15th March, Chris McMahon, our Children’s and Families Pastor, will be leading a special allage Mothering Sunday Service at 10.15am. We will also have a special Mother’s Day themed Bubble Church that day at 9.30am and a Mothering Sunday focus in our 11.15am Holy Communion Service. All are welcome to join us. On Sunday 29th March we will be marking Palm Sunday and are looking forward to being joined once again by Coco the donkey. We will be meeting Coco in the centre of the village at 10.15am ready to process to St John’s for a 10.30am service. On Tuesday 31st March we have a hop-in Easter Cra event running in St John’s Church between 10am and 12noon. All ages are welcome to come and join us for some fun cra s and we’ll be serving tea, co ee and squash alongside. On Easter Sunday, 5th April, we have two special services at St John’s Church. Come and join us at 9.30am for an Easter Bubble Church with lots of fun with the puppets, or at 10.30am for a special combined service for all our congregations. Everyone is very welcome! New Forest National Park Volunteer Fair 2026 (Credit: New Forest National Park Authority) (Left to right): New Forest East MP Sir Julian Lewis, PEDALL New Forest Inclusive Cycling manager Shelley Filby, New Forest National Park Authority CEO Alison Barnes and NPA Access and Learning Manager Jim Mitchell (Credit: New Forest National Park Authority) Cornerstone Open Daily 10am-12noon If you need somewhere to sit, chat and relax with a hot brew. Why not drop into Cornerstone Hythe URC. ey are open every day Monday to Saturday from 10am until 12noon. Co ee or tea and a biscuit are just £1 – and stay as long as you like. Other activities are happening during the week that you may like to join in with. Table Top Sale every other Tuesday 9.30am-12noon (next on Tuesday 24th March); Hythe Active keep-fit on Thursday mornings 10am-11am; ‘Pins and Needles’ knitting group on Friday mornings 10am-12noon. A warm welcome awaits you, just drop in!
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