Hills alive to the sound of new man at the top (From Worcester News)

Hills alive to the sound of new man at the top

12:20pm Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News By Tarik Al Rasheed

NEW TASK: Stephen Bound

THE way the Malvern Hills are managed and maintained is set to be reviewed.

Under the guidance of new director Stephen Bound, Malvern Hills Conservators is preparing to undertake the five-yearly review of its hills management plan.

With the Conservators responsible for some 3,000 acres of land in Malvern, and widely referred to as the “custodians” of the hills, Mr Bound said it was vital to have an efficient and thorough plan in place.

“It needs to be very clear in terms of what we are doing, both for our staff and also for the public,” he said.

“It is a public document and it’s important that they understand not just what we are doing, but why we are doing it.”

Mr Bound said the review, taking place next year, would be a “massive body of work”.

However he does not envisage sweeping changes being brought in.

“I think that the basic approach of keeping the hills open by grazing and clearing scrub will remain. I think it’s the right approach and one that Natural England is happy with.”

Now two months into his role with the Conservators, Mr Bound said he had been enjoying getting to know Malvern and its residents.

The 44-year-old, previously with the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, based in St Albans, said: “The area I was in previously was quite built up and when I went into land management that was not quite what I had imagined.

“I didn’t know Malvern before but I really fell in love with the area when I came to visit.

“At the weekends when my wife and I are just wandering around it still feels like we are on holiday.”

He says he is thoroughly enjoying his work as director of the Conservators.

“Every day is different and that is one of the things that appeals.

“It is a very varied job, sometimes challenging, but that makes it all the more interesting.”