I was in at the start of the Environment Agency – well, actually, years before that, in its earlier life as the water company. Then, as a nervous conservation officer in 1984 (32 years ago), I was handed a typewriter (there were no computers then) and given the job of ‘greening up’ the engineers.
Good and bad moments followed. 30 years ago, there was sexism in a way that would never happen nowadays and one of the worst moments was when a pipeline manager telling me to ‘go and do something useful, like wash up for a man...’.
However, there were many more good moments than bad and most of the engineers just needed the prompt to develop their soft engineering skills - the precursor to natural flood management, large woody debris, ‘slow the flow’ and similar initiatives that we celebrate today. Many of these colleagues moved into the Environment Agency with me in 1996.
Since then, I’ve had an interesting and varied career – staying long enough in posts to really get to know people and understand the issues (and hopefully, play my part in solving a few of them!) but also moving roles to gain wider experience and stay fresh. Working in the Environment Agency gives staff opportunities to experience a huge range of tasks, events, projects and approaches.
High spots? Well, as a team leader, one of the great privileges is seeing your staff develop their skills and go on to deliver great projects in the environment. Personally, although I have a wet ditch named after me on the Wylye, those moments which have been most rewarding have been those which have intellectually challenged me – working with Defra, Parliamentary staff, and seeing how a Secretary of State worked and came to decisions is towards the top of my list.
Worst moments? Personal attack is always hard to take (people feel very strongly about their environment); and being woken at 2am as Area Base Controller for my urgent advice on preventing pollution from a burning cheese wrapping factory was also a low spot…
I’ve now joined the ranks of the ‘flexible retired’ working 2 days a week as a project manager. This is a good scheme, allowing me to transfer skills and contribute some experience – and I have a little more time to think and help out when needed. I’ve never left Wessex – it’s a great part of the country to work and live in, with lovely rivers, coastline, heritage and habitats. I could never tire of it.
The EA is bigger (and safer) than its previous component organisations. My hope, though, is that in its need to standardise, the special qualities of each place and personality will not be lost. Here’s to another 20 years of environmental achievements! Happy 20th birthday!
4 comments
Comment by Joanna Eyquem posted on
Your contribution to the Environment Agency and your team has been enormous Judith. I feel priviledged to have worked with you and have many happy and satisfying memories of work on the Avon and sharing best river management practices. Enjoy your flexible retirement!
Comment by Cathryn Marcus, Groundwork posted on
Great blog Judith. I can also relate to those 1980s horror stories - it certainly wasn't just the EA! Good luck for the next 20 years. Actually, I think having a Wessex ditch in your name is pretty good 🙂
Comment by Chris Bray posted on
Hi Judith, we go back a long time!!!!!!!
And good memories of you and your work at Wessex Water then NRA, then EA. It was excellent working with you on projects. happy memories,
Chris Bray....... retired Area Flood Defence Manager for Wessex
Comment by Barrie Neaves posted on
Judith - great read. Our careers are not too dissimilar - although I was one of those Engineers that our ecologists were trying to 'green'. With me you'd be pushing at an open door. My career slightly pre-dates yours - I started with the then Water Authority in 1979; and I'm still going! Like you I stuck in one area - in my case God's own county - Kent. I don't have a ditch named after me though 🙁