Maria is definitely a legend in the SO19 post code. She has almost single-handedly transformed the Shoreburs Way valley (beside Mayfield Park) from a junk-strewn, overgrown, polluted wilderness, to a beautiful nature reserve. She endlessly fights back against invasive species and safeguards rare specimens of wildlife and plant life and can usually be found, in her wellies, knee deep in the stream (which we have all now named Maria’s Brook). Maria has recently run some public walks, to inform locals about the work she does and the history of the valley and its wildlife. She has accommodated young people who want to gain their Duke of Edinburgh Award and rallied teams of litter pickers when a big push has been needed to clear up the mess.

She is a conduit between locals and the city council, pushing for action on maintaining the walkways, preventing sewage spills, managing fallen trees. She is unpaid but totally dedicated. A few years ago she was caught up in the horror of the Batterclan terrorist gun attack in Germany, along with her husband and a good friend – who Maria and and her husband ran back inside to rescue after he fell among the stampede of panicked audience members. She cites working in the valley as part of her therapy to cope with the subsequent PTSD.

She’s a kind and fascinating individual and we can’t imagine our valley without her. She very much deserves recognition for everything she does, for her bravery and tenacity, and for the inspiration she gives to others.