Why one Sheffield local stepped up to protect the countryside – and why you might too

For many people in Sheffield, the countryside is a place to escape, breathe and reconnect. For one local resident, it has been much more than that – it has been a lifelong companion, a source of joy, and ultimately a call to action.

Growing up on the edge of the city, David Holmes sometimes spent more time in Greno Woods than at home during the school holidays.

That realisation, paired with a deep affection for the landscapes around Sheffield, led him to become a trustee of CPRE Peak District & South Yorkshire.

From woods to boardroom: a journey into trusteeship

David’s path to becoming a trustee wasn’t planned. After retiring, he threw himself into hands‑on conservation work with the Steel Valley Project, got involved with the Upper Don Trail Trust and helped organise a national event for his running club, Dark Peak Fell Runners.

With a background in journalism and broadcasting, he often shared these experiences on social media. That visibility caught the attention of CPRE’s CEO, Tomo Thompson, who approached him about joining the charity’s board.

“I’d like to think my passions and activities help me make an informed contribution,” he says. “You don’t need to be a specialist – just someone who cares deeply about the countryside.”

What being a trustee really looks like

Trusteeship, David explains, is far from a dry, administrative role. Yes, there are quarterly board meetings and oversight responsibilities. But there’s also a huge variety of hands‑on involvement.

He’s drafted news releases, contributed to social media and helped shape the charity’s communications. He’s also rolled up his sleeves, clearing scrub in Haythornthwaite Wood, joined guided walks and supported research for major campaigns.

One moment in particular stands out vividly: standing high above Slippery Stones and realising just how much of the Upper Derwent hillside would have been lost if a proposed fourth reservoir had gone ahead. “My jaw dropped,” he recalls. “It brought home exactly why this work matters.”

A life lived outdoors

David’s love for the countryside isn’t theoretical – it’s woven into his daily life.

He walks the Loxley valley most days with his family and dog. He still heads out fell running “for as long as my creaking joints allow,” exploring the wildest corners of the Dark Peak. Cycling takes him along quiet lanes to the high moors and long‑distance walking holidays have taken him and his wife along the South West Coast Path and the Pembrokeshire Coast.

A proud moment: honouring a countryside pioneer

Of all his contributions as a trustee, one moment shines brightest: helping to install a long‑overdue blue heritage plaque at the birthplace of CPRE PDSY’s founder, Ethel Haythornthwaite.

He commissioned the cast‑iron plaque from a Peak District foundry and worked with local stone mason Stoneface (Andrew Vickers) to mount it on a large boulder in the grounds of the University of Sheffield’s Endcliffe student village.

The unveiling, led by the charity’s president Dame Fiona Reynolds and attended by Ethel’s family, was “a very proud moment.”

Why trustees matter – and why you might consider becoming one

When asked what countryside issues he cares about most, his answer is simple: the future.

“I want my grandchildren to have the same access to unspoiled greenery that I enjoyed as a kid,” he says. “That doesn’t mean freezing the countryside in time, but it does mean making sure change is responsible, thoughtful and centred on the quality of the countryside environment.”

His advice to anyone considering becoming a trustee is equally straightforward: “Do it if you’re passionate about it. The charity needs a big and diverse team to continue its work in a challenging world. And don’t worry too much about it being onerous. We contribute what we can, when we can.”

Thinking of getting involved?

Stories like David’s remind us that CPRE trustees aren’t distant figures in boardrooms – they’re local people who care deeply about creating a countryside everyone can enjoy.

Becoming a trustee means helping to safeguard these landscapes for future generations while ensuring we respond responsibly to the nature and climate crises shaping their future. To find out more contact tomo.thompson@cprepdsy.org.uk