Three Decades of Dedication – Celebrating Margaret!

This year, we’re thrilled to celebrate an incredible milestone: Margaret, our longest-serving volunteer, has been a cornerstone of The Holly Lodge Centre for an astonishing 30 years!  Her dedication, warm spirit, and invaluable contributions have helped shape our Centre and touched countless lives.

After retiring from a busy career career at NatWest Bank, Margaret found herself missing the daily company of office life.  But, she certainly didn’t stay idle for long!  She immediately threw herself into a monumental fundraising effort for a hospital desperately needing a new scanner, helping to achieve a staggering £1 million target.

Living so close to Kingston Gate, Margaret also developed a deep appreciation for Richmond Park, often spending her time exploring its beauty and becoming fascinated by how this Royal Park was managed.  It was this interest that led her to discover a volunteering opportunity that perfectly matched her skills and passions.  When she saw an advertisement for an administrative assistant at The Holly Lodge Centre in the ‘Friends of Richmond Park’ magazine, she knew it was the ideal fit.  The chance to work in such a beautiful setting while utilizing her administrative expertise was too good to miss.

A Legacy of Support and Adaptability

Joining the centre, Margaret worked closely with Pat Ealey, who ran the centre at the time.  Her role was incredibly varied and vital.  Margaret was the voice on the phone, taking school bookings, meticulously updating the diary, and ensuring every session had the necessary volunteers.  She managed bookkeeping, handled donations, drafted countless thank-you letters, and even made regular trips to the bank.  Over three decades, Margaret has witnessed – and adapted to – significant technological shifts, moving from a primarily paper-based office to the largely computer-driven environment we know today.  She still supports us every Monday morning, helping us with a wide array of tasks.

Margaret’s time here has also provided her with a unique perspective on the park and its history.  She vividly recalls the mounted police patrolling Richmond Park, the stables bustling with magnificent Shire horses, and even the unforgettable sight of Concorde making its very last flight overhead.

Among her many fond memories, a stand out moment was meeting the legendary Sir David Attenborough when he opened our nature trail.  When Margaret told him how long she had been volunteering at the centre, his charming reply was, “You must have started as a child.”

A Unique Place, Wonderful Company

When asked what she would say to someone considering volunteering at The Holly Lodge Centre, Margaret’s enthusiasm shines through:

‘There is nowhere like it, it’s so unique.  There can’t be many places where you can work surrounded by wildlife.  And the company is marvellous, it’s so nice being around people, meeting new people, and being involved in such a lovely, beautiful place.”

Margaret, your 30 years of unwavering dedication to The Holly Lodge Centre are truly inspiring.  We are incredibly fortunate to have you as part of our family, and we extend our deepest gratitude for your dedication and wonderful spirit!  Thank you, Margaret!