The manager at Hampshire’s largest and most popular country park has retired after 30 years of service.

Tim Speller has been head of the Queen Elizabeth Country Park (QECP) since 1995, and has also looked after Staunton Country Park.

A lot has changed during Tim’s time at the park, with a huge increase in visitor numbers, thanks to new additions such as play equipment, the mountain biking development and many new long-distance trails.

Speaking to The Petersfield Post, Tim said it was quite fitting to finish up with the newspaper as it first reported on his story when he joined all those years ago.

Tim Speller article in the Petersfield Post when he first started as manager at the country park
Tim's article in the Petersfield Post when he first started as manager at the country park (QECP)

He said: “It's about the people - volunteers, friends, partners and those behind the scenes, they make it tick.

“When my son was being born by caesarean section, the anaesthetist was really keen to do some volunteering at Queen Elizabeth. Instead of concentrating on what was quite important, he just wanted to know about volunteering.

“In any scenario you can imagine, someone will say, ‘I really like to visit’ or ‘I'd really like to volunteer’ and ‘are there any jobs coming up?’

“Whether it's mountain biking, wildlife, horse riding or events, there's so many different things. We're big enough to cope with all of that and so the park means something to many different people.”

Tim Speller with his children Lizzy and Joe
Tim with his children Lizzy and Joe (Michelle Monaghan/Tindle)

Before QECP, Tim worked at the Acton Scott Farm Museum in Shropshire and his childhood ambition was to work in the ‘great outdoors’ and he has extended this love and passion for nature to his children.

His son Joe commented: “We weren't born when he first started at this park, and we're now in our late 20s, so it's all we've known. It'll be very strange and we’ll have to find something else to discuss with him.”

“The park has been such a big part of our lives,” added Lizzy, Tim’s daughter.

“We’ve done all the trails, Christmas activities, egg rolling, the Easter and the Butser Hill Festival - such a big part of our lives.”

John Tickle, former area manager for HCC Countryside, who interviewed Tim and offered him the job, said his former colleague’s hard work should be “celebrated”.

Speaking to Phill Humphries at Petersfield’s Shine Radio, he said: “Tim has made a massive contribution to the park over many years and it's a good day for everyone to come and mark that contribution.”

Tim with John Tickle, former colleague and the one who interviewed him and gave him the job in 1995
Tim with John Tickle, former colleague and the one who interviewed him and gave him the job in 1995 (QECP)

At his farewell event on January 28, Tim planted a tree in the park, a permanent reminder of his hard work and achievements.

Tim added: “Half my life I've been here and and it has taken me from a time when I had no children at all, to my children having grown and flown. It is time for another challenge and to slow down a little bit.

“I'm looking forward to enjoying the park as a visitor and making my allotment a bit better than it's been for the last few years.”

Alongside Tim, admin officer Lorraine Evans D'Santo, and Staunton’s lead ranger Scott Wallbridge, will be saying farewell.