And just like that, the long scorching summer of 2025 came to a close. The heavens opened and the rain came tumbling down, the parched earth absorbing it greedily. Within days, the sunburnt rides of Finemere Wood flushed green once more, and woodland workers could be seen huddled together beneath the trees as yet another downpour swept through.

In amongst this flock of volunteers is Philippa, who has a permanent smile on her face whilst in the woods. She first appeared in Finemere in 2015 at an event to mark the inaugural National Coppice Day. By her side, her three young children. Having spent much time volunteering for BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) in her student years, she was keen to introduce her offspring to this way of life. 

Recovering from cancer treatment and with an extended period of sick leave stretching ahead of her, Philippa was absorbed into the Finemere team. Like many of us, she discovered a quiet refuge amongst the trees. Thoughts of illness faded as her attention shifted to the tasks at hand, to shared purpose, to the quiet pride of completing something together, the gentle support of others unfaltering.

After studying Geography at university, Philippa followed a diverse career path, taking on roles as varied as mortgage advisor, teaching assistant, Nordic walking instructor, and university admissions officer. Ever adaptable. Ever resourceful.

Sick leave came to an end, and Philippa felt the wrench from leaving the woods behind as she returned to the demands of full-time work. Still, she found her way back to Finemere whenever she could, working longer hours during the week just to carve out time for that essential escape to the solace in the wood.

Being outside in nature has been a constant in Philippa’s life. A runner in her youth, she rejected the confines of the running track, finding freedom and challenge in cross-country running. In her forties she ran the London Marathon, though, by her own admission, once was enough!

Her favourite Finemere activities and why? Scything and bonfires. There is quiet mindfulness to scything, its steady rhythm offering both focus and calm. It keeps you in the present moment, and you can see clearly what you have achieved. Managing bonfires, likewise, keeps you anchored in the moment, and its raw elemental power is grounding.

Her favourite wild species? The stonechat. Why? Because it is a unique birdsong that she can recognise. Wherever she hears it, it reminds her of the first time she heard it - at Finemere.

Nine years later, the cancer returns, more treatment, more sick leave. But her woodland family is still here, she joins us for tea, bonfire potatoes, cake, whenever well enough to do so. The overwhelming sense of isolation that illness brings dissipates through the connection with others in the place we all love.

And, now well again, Philippa has embraced her “make the most of life era”, trading work for adventures that make her feel alive: coastal walks, whizzing down lochs in canoes and a camper van, aptly named Bluebell. 

The summer has been spent travelling to beauty spots around the British Isles, for time alone, under the stars, cocooned by nature, connecting with others on similar adventures. The joy that Bluebell has brought her is contagious, woodland workers sharing in the excitement as Philippa rolls into Finemere with her new companion.

“So, tell me something not many people know about you,” I ask.

“My youngest daughter was born in a farm gateway, in a patch of daisies,” she replies.

And somehow, that doesn’t surprise me at all.

More than 1,700 volunteers help us towards our vision of more nature everywhere, on our nature reserves, at our visitor and education centres, in our offices and more.

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