A head and shoulders photo of James with an open areas of Forest and mature trees in the background

Meet the team: Alne Wood Park Manager James

James joined the charity in May 2023. His role as Alne Wood Park Manager involves empathetic engagement with the public, day-to-day management of the site, and its development to become one of the leading Natural Burial grounds in the UK.

“It’s easy to be passionate about running a natural burial ground. At the most basic level, it’s always a pleasure to show people around such a beautiful, peaceful site and explain the benefits of natural burial. It is a concept that’s easy to endorse as it’s something that I believe is the right choice, both ecologically speaking and also on a social level, to the point where my wife and I both have purchased our plots on the site. Finally, it’s a real privilege to work with families organising a funeral, to endeavour to make the arrangements as stress free as possible at such a difficult time.”
James, Alne Wood Park Manager
James standing with his arms crossed and smiling at the camera in the Forest

Q&A with James

What expertise do you bring to your role?

I’ve had quite a varied career from software to digital woodworking and even going back to university in my late 40’s to complete an MSc. in Psychology.

Along the way I have lived in several different countries and worked with organisations that range from one-man-in-a-shed to huge multinational corporations. I have been involved in everything from washing dishes to running my own company.

In any of these endeavours, the key has been having the ability to listen, understanding what someone needs, and then finding ways to work together in a friendly and empathetic way to meet those needs.

Tell us what you think is the most interesting part of your role?

One of my most interesting challenges is to find ways to strike a balance between offering a natural environment that adheres to the tenets of natural burial, while also providing a site and service which allows for the important human need to honour and remember loved ones.

I cannot think of a better way to honour someone than being in a beautiful, natural place, knowing I associate this with that person and that their choice to be buried there is also helping to sustain the environment.

What three words would you use to describe Alne Wood Park?

Green, scenic, and peaceful.

An array wildflowers at Alne Wood Park burial ground
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Supporting the Forest

Alne Wood Park Natural Burial Ground is a peaceful 12-acre wildflower meadow, with far-reaching views of the beautiful Warwickshire and Worcestershire countryside. The burial ground is part of a 40-acre site, containing both newly planted and ancient woodland which is owned by the Heart of England Forest, a charity that is creating and conserving native broadleaf woodland in the Midlands.

This connection to the Forest ensures the long-term future of Alne Wood Park as an eco-friendly place of rest. Find out more about the Heart of England Forest.