Long-time ranger Roy Henderson retired last month after a long career looking after nature and people in the valley both as an National Trust ranger as well as spending 29 years on the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team for which he received a distinguished service award, writes Melinda Gilhen-Baker
On a rainy day in late September, Roy takes me around his “magical mystery tour” of Borrowdale for the last time as we talk about his 42 years as a ranger for the National Trust.
He retired on the 27th, leaving behind a legacy that has helped shape the land as well as many who have lived and visited here.
As we drive up to the tiny hamlet of Watendlath, Roy tells me about his first contact with the National Trust when he was 13 while completing the Duke of Edinburgh award. Inspired by warden Alan Deane, he spent time volunteering throughout the valley and learning more about the organisation.
At only 16, he was cutting back rhododendron on Derwent Island when he found himself being suddenly offered a warden position. Two years later, Roy moved into a National Trust cottage near Derwent Water where he still lives today with his wife Jan who he happened to meet as she was volunteering for the trust.
It’s hard to condense 42 years into such a short interview but as Roy cleans the intake for the Watendlath hydro, he talks about the things he is most proud of having accomplished.
The hydro he is working on, as well as the one in Coombe Gill, make the list as they have brought green energy to the valley.
Another project dear to his heart is the increase in access he has helped bring about. Making sure everyone is able to enjoy the beauty here has been on Roy’s mind since he first became a ranger, so he has consistently worked to create flatter and wider routes, install wider gates, put in accessible picnic tables and given tours along accessible routes.
Being a friendly and gregarious chap, Roy says he loves the outreach and engagement part of his job, working with school groups or simply talking to interested visitors.
He remembers fondly times when people approached him, remembering him and his teachings from their school years even after they had grown up.
Roy’s caring nature and flare for adventure also pushed him to join the Keswick Mountain Rescue team for which he volunteered for 29 years, being deputy team leader for 25 of those.
After a rescue attempt in a flood left him with broken ribs, he looked into Swiftwater Rescue training in North America and was key to bringing it back to the UK.
He was one of the four first to be trained here, helping to make tricky rescues much safer in the wettest place in England. When he finally left, he was given a distinguished service award for outstanding national contribution to mountain rescue.
There isn’t a hedgerow in Borrowdale today which Roy has not helped to plant or lay, he knows every crag and woodland, every path and every beck and has a fondness for the place I have yet to see matched. He wants only for others to share his love for the valley and to enjoy it fully while looking after nature here, especially its shy little family of otters.
As we stand at the plaque at Brandelhow, between the famous four oaks, Roy’s philosophical side comes out as he mentions the beginnings of the National Trust and its core values which he has always aimed to uphold; access to open spaces, beauty and nature for all.
He says it’s easy to get lost in the many conflicting ideas and priorities of the day but really, we just need to go back to those principles, simple words to live by.
Roy’s dedication, enthusiasm, energy and kindness will be very much missed by the team and the community, he will not easily be replaced.
We wish him all the best as he takes his well-deserved retirement to enjoy cycling, hiking and climbing wherever his feet will take him.
