MICHAEL STAGG

Surname

Stagg

Forename

Michael

Date of recording

​Feb 2008

Year of birth

1936

Place of Birth

Vale of Pusey Wilts

Occupation

Heritage coast warden retd

Fathers occupation

Present Address

Woodbridge

Location Interview

Woodbridge

Interviewer

Summary

Doreen Bartlett

Duration

50 Mins

No of tracks: 3

This recording consists of 3 tracks.  

Track 1 [36 secs] 
Introduction.  Michael Stagg born in Vale of Pusey Wiltshire and therefore a moonraker (Wiltshire simpleton)l and now living in Woodbridge.

Track 2 [48 mins 11 secs]
(00.00 - 00.57) Description of career history including background as forester, police officer, military career in RA Veterinary Corp. Returned to forestry related work as countryside warden at Clare (Suffolk) and then transferred to Melton as Heritage Coast Warden (HCW).

00.57 - 08.17 Talks about first impressions of county on arrival in 1972 mentioning topographical interest and variety. Identifies 2 groups of people at time - London overspill and locals. Comments on usefulness of his own rural accent as helpful in settling in. Prepared for re-location through extensive background reading e.g. Ewart Evans, Julian Tennyson etc. Notes quiet pace of life and slower speech. Remarks of local dialect and expressions, gives examples. Describes uniform and how it helped him to establish himself - also sign writing on HCW van. Became something of a minor celebrity. Describes purpose of job - nature conservation, preservation, education outreach. Remarks on lack of coastal road. Describes professional partnership with Manpower Services Commission and role in job creation schemes. Describes first incident dealt with -destruction of SSI site by local farmer. Remarks about decline of heath land.

08.17 - 16.14 References to training and induction. Partnerships with Countryside Commission and Rangers' Association. Description of typical working day and seasonal variations. Emphasis on flexibility, varied nature of activities and overall job satisfaction. References to coping with Campers at Shingle Street during hot summer of 1976 - danger from picnic stoves. References to work with schools including focus on coastal defences, long shore drift, erosion etc. Details of impact and response from pupils - references to children's letters.

16.14: 23.08 Recalls local characters - boatmen, fishermen, walkers. Specific reference to Mr Brinkley (ferryman) + incident with grounded yacht. References to strange, retired locals living alongside Sailor's Path + incomers developing Iken as personal fiefdom. Extended reference to Sailors' Path including way marking, bridge building + personal appreciation. Describes tool used including camera to build materials for outreach activities - to build awareness of Heritage Coast Project amongst wider community. Evaluation and description of response. Guided walks etc.

23.08: 32.50 Comments about value and purpose of educating people about using and conserving countryside. Tongue in cheek remark about gates across A12/14. Health and Safety at work not high priority. First Aid training + radio in HCW van. Remarks about how employers trusted HCW. Remarks about nature of accountability to SCC and reflection on how this has changed. Details of reports to committee highlighting important issues e.g. litter on beach (from passing ships), litter left by fishermen, car parking etc. Details of importance of positive partnership working with SWT, RSPB, NCC etc. Comments about interaction with local landowners and farmers including incident with Police Cadet camp. Refection on changes in use of area for leisure - much quieter, less walking, barbecues and parking issues. Comments on hearing about the development/success of young people as a result of educational outreach.

32.50 - 43.49 Reflections of value of countryside for personal refreshment and spiritual awareness. Comments on problem with jet skiers and noise in general. Details of hosting visits from HM official foreign visitors. Description of visits from 500 Dutch cyclists/campers. Recollections of oil spillage and damage to birdlife. Details of a sea rescue. Dramatic details of specific instances of coastal erosion and reflections on awesome power of the sea. Notes about changes in land use e.g. heath land lost to grain production and draining of water meadows with loss of wildlife. Specific account of impact of inexperienced farm management and how this was resolved. Comments on changes to river use including rise in number of boat owners but not necessarily river traffic. Comments on the decline of serious walking and increase in strolling.

43.49 - end.  Reflection on how job of HCW has changed since 1976 Desk based. Greater accountability etc. Lack of visibility on-site. Loss of flexibility. Thoughts about how to develop in future including interesting ideas based on "set aside" to protect rivers.

Track 3. [1 min 18 secs]
Michael reads introductory paragraphs from  Julian Tennyson's "Suffolk Scene" 1939 pages 1-3-104.
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