Ranger that's spent two decades looking after the Malvern Hills set for retirement
Richard Vale has decided it's time for him to call it a day from his role
A Worcestershire man who's spent 20 years caring for a 'much'-loved' landscape in the area is set to hang up his boots at the end of the month.
Ranger Richard Vale has been protecting and maintaining the Malvern Hills with the Malvern Hills Trust, the organisation responsible for looking after the hills and commons. for two decades, but has now decided to retire from the role.
He said retirement will be a "big change" as he has worked since he was 16, but he now plans to spend more time with his wife and do more cycling as well as planning to carry on volunteering with the trust and still enjoy walking on the hills.
“I’m retiring after 20 years – it’s been fabulous," he said.
"The only reason is because I can, my wife retired last year and as a ranger I work every weekend so we’ve been ships in the night really.
“You’re never going to be a millionaire doing this job, but that’s not what it’s about, it’s special, caring for a landscape, it’s fabulous.”
Living in Barnard's Green, Mr Vale worked in logistics and at a sawmill before joining the trust.
During his time as a ranger, he has helped look after 3,000 acres of hills and commons, with rangers carrying out tasks varying from picking up litter, to emptying 63 bins to maintaining habitats, as well as issuing parking tickets, and monitoring public use.
Ahead of his retirement, he praised the team he's worked with, adding: “The Malvern Hills Trust has been a brilliant team to work for.
"It’s been a pleasure to work with these guys."