A tribute to Margaret Durkin, a true Gwent Leveller.
By Ben Boylett, Nature Recovery Officer
In very difficult news to share, we said our goodbyes to Margaret Durkin who sadly passed away this summer. The Gwent Levellers volunteer group turned out in great numbers to pay their respects to a much loved friend.
Margaret had been a long time supporter of the Wildlife Trusts work, particularly at the Magor Marsh reserve, where I first met her when we both started our volunteering journeys on the same session over 10 years ago with the Levellers group.
Margaret was directly involved with the water vole project, assisting with the annual surveying efforts on our reserves as well as the weekly monitoring of the re-introduced population at Magor. She also significantly contributed to the acquisition of Bridewell common nature reserve in both donating during the fundraising appeal and working with the group in delivering site management activities.
Through recent ill health, Margaret wouldn’t let it deter her passion to support the Gwent Wildlife Trust, attending work sessions in all weathers to assist wherever she could, showing true resolve and grit. Her unwavering enthusiasm and bright attitude will be very dearly missed by myself and all that knew her at Magor Marsh.
Your hard work and positivity was an enormous support to me, thank you Margaret.
Ben Boylett