The New Year is often a time for new beginnings, and for Wheatfen the start of 2026 will bring some changes.
Will Fitch has been Warden for almost nine years and has achieved a great deal on the reserve during that time. Will is now planning to explore new opportunities and left Wheatfen at the end of 2025. On behalf of all the Trustees, I would like to thank Will for his work and commitment to Wheatfen during his time with us.
He will be much missed on the reserve, as he has been incredibly popular with everyone, including visitors and volunteers. Will still plans to be with us on Saturdays for a couple of months and may make guest appearances on some guided walks.
Everyone at Wheatfen sends Will and his family our very best wishes for the year ahead and our thanks for all that he has achieved.
Following on from Will’s departure, we are wishing a very warm welcome from everyone at Wheatfen to our new Warden – Matt Wilkinson.
Matt Wilkinson
Matt joins us from early January 2026 on a part time basis for the next few months. Many of you will find Matt’s face a familiar one as he has, in effect, hopped across the river from Strumpshaw where he worked with the RSPB as a warden in the Mid Yare Valley for 20 years.
This means that Matt brings to us a wealth of knowledge of the ecological requirements of our key species and the land management required for special Yare valley fen habitats such as Wheatfen. Matt also has a wide range of practical skills and is experienced in working with and managing teams of volunteers.
We are very lucky indeed to have someone who is so familiar with and clearly loves fenland management.
Please remember to say hello to Matt if you see him out and about at the reserve.
Sally-Ann Meadows, Chair Ted Ellis Trust, Wheatfen Nature Reserve
