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Who We Are

Friends of Horsey Seals was created in 2011 to take over the management of a project first formed by Natural England and the Broads Authority in 2003.

Aims & Objectives Our History Trustees Wardens

Photo by Jan Brown

FoHS Aims

To protect the grey seal rookery at Horsey and Winterton from disturbance by the public.

FoHS Objectives

To increase knowledge, understanding and appreciation of grey seals. To work with landowners, agencies and the local community to increase protection of the grey seal colony. To operate and manage an effective seal wardening scheme.

Our History Friends of Horsey Seals

Friends of Horsey Seals came into being when funding of the original project dried up in 2011. In 2003 Natural England had teamed up with the Broads Authority to give protection to a small group of Atlantic grey seals that had started to give birth on Horsey Beach.

Breeding success suffered from the lack of understanding that these shy creatures were easily spooked by the presence of humans. Local volunteers were recruited to ask visitors to keep their distance and the colony returned in greater numbers year on year.

Friends of Horsey seals has managed the project from 2012. Some of those early helpers, including Peter Ansell and Albert Ward, felt strongly that the work should continue. When asked, they agreed to take the project on. It was renamed Friends of Horsey Seals (FoHS). The number of births on Horsey beach had been steadily increasing each year and by that time had reached around 500 pups.

FoHS boosted the number of original volunteer wardens and introduced formal training for them. It proved a good decision. The growing number of pups being born each year at Horsey soon became something of a tourist attraction because the beach was so accessible.

The trained wardens made a real difference, not only to the safety of the seal colony but also by creating a positive experience for the people who came to see them. At the same time the FoHS seal rescue team officially came into being and was trained by the RSPCA. It still operates seven days a week, rescuing injured and distressed seals.

In 2016 FoHS became a registered charity (1169539).

Since then, we have continued to expand in response to the growing size of the seal colony thanks to the generosity and involvement of the community and the volunteers who give up their free time to warden.

We could not operate without subscriptions from the Friends scheme and support from our donors and sponsors. Local businesses help us acquire equipment and other essential items, landowners give us access and additional help and we work alongside partner agencies.

The seal colony now extends from Waxham to Winterton. In the 2020/2021 season 2,500 births were recorded, breaking all previous records and the colony continues to grow.

The Charity Trustees

The charity is managed entirely by volunteers. Meet the Trustees.

** This page is currently being updated **

Peter Ansell Chairman. Site Management, Seal Rescues, PR & Press Enquiries, Education

I was born in Wood Green, London in 1935 and evacuated during the war, first to Bournemouth, then to Lancashire (fortunately both times with relatives!!).  I left school aged 17, took a short-term job with British Rail before joining the Army for National Service and spent 19 months in Libya.  On returning to civvy street, I spent my working life as Transport Manager for three major national companies, retiring at 63.  I ended up in Norfolk, where I became a volunteer Little Tern warden at Winterton, working with the RSPB and Natural England.  I then graduated to seals at Horsey through my connection with Natural England for the 2004/5 season, when there were less than 100 pups born!  I have chaired FoHS since its formation ten years ago, and this year was privileged and proud to be awarded the BEM for services to Norfolk seal conservation.

Russ Akehurst Vice Chair

Originally from Sussex I joined the Police Service aged 18 and completed 30 years service before retiring and then  joining a Local Authority as their Dog Warden responsible for stray dogs, enforcing the 2006 Animal Welfare Act in relation to Dogs and other dog related matters.
During the next 14 years, I rescued and rehomed  countless dogs fostering a number of them at home until suitable homes could be found.  The job satisfaction was immense, however whilst on holiday I discovered how beautiful Norfolk is and so in 2021 my wife  (who had worked for Dogs Trust for over 27 years ) and I decided to retire to Norfolk, and within weeks I’d enrolled as a volunteer with Friends of Horsey Seals.
Being retired gives me the time and opportunity to help even more animals, for example in 2022 I was able to spend a month in Ukraine at an animal shelter and later the same year, a week in Romania at an animal hospital where I fell in love with a three legged dog who I was later able to bring into the UK and rehome her through a local rescue.

Philip Eke Treasurer

Hi, my name is Philip and I was born in West Runton and went to school in Norfolk.  As I qualified as a Chartered Public accountant, I started my career in local government and then spent the majority of my career in health care, firstly in the public sector, then private sector and finally the charity sector.  I moved back to Norfolk some 10 years ago having lived and worked in the West Country and London.  I first became a subscription friend of Horsey seals, then a volunteer warden and since February 2023 a trustee and treasurer of the Friends of Horsey Seals.  I am keen to protect our wildlife and environment and I am a trustee with a Norfolk based animal charity.  In my spare time, I enjoy walking our most wonderful countryside, reading and cycling.

Lynn Cutter Secretary

My name is Lynn, and last year I retired from teaching after 20 years in both Mainstream and Special Education secondary schools, supporting children with severe mental health issues.  I have also worked as a Bank Manager and an accountant in the NHS.  I am married to Paul, and we live near Great Yarmouth after re-locating from Worcestershire in 2015.   We have four children and four gorgeous ‘Grand pups’ that we love to have come and stay for holidays.  I volunteered for Friends of Horsey Seals last year and thoroughly enjoyed my first season; meeting and chatting to lots of visitors, supporting other wardens and the seal rescue team.  I am now a member of the committee helping with the secretarial duties.  I enjoy walking, especially on the beach, Yoga, swimming, gardening, and reading, especially historical novels.

Sue Chantrill Recruitment Co-ordinator, Membership Secretary

Before moving to Norfolk I worked for the NHS.  I have always enjoyed helping others, in particular supporting those suffering with dementia and encouraging a better understanding of the condition.  I volunteered for a local charity, setting up overnight shelters for the homeless.  Although challenging at times, incredibly rewarding when managing to gain the trust of residents and helping them make positive changes.

In early 2021, my husband, rescue dog Doogle, and I relocated from Sussex to Norfolk.  I had signed up as a volunteer for FoHS and F.A.I.T.H Animal Rescue before the removal boxes had been unpacked!  Norfolk life is all about being outside, whatever the weather, so being a seal warden and walking on the dunes is perfect.  I feel very lucky to be able to see such beautiful wild animals in their natural habitat, and really enjoy being part of the team that helps protect the colony.

Hilda Stephenson Fund-raising. Recruitment, Wardens’ Forum, Information Unit

After night shift as a 19-year-old nurse, I’d walk to my local beach to swim with the harbour seals that often appeared.  My nursing career meant I moved often.  I was a Ward Sister on the Orkney islands, managing a new 30 bed ward for adults.  I’ve always loved animals, spending spare time looking after our pigs, ducks, chickens and dogs (collies) at our Croft.  We had a colony of grey seals on the beach nearby.  When my Husband’s Coastguard station closed, we moved from Orkney to Norfolk.  My local beach was Horsey and in 2000 there were only a few grey seals there.  I became a seal warden and then a trustee on the committee.  I am now the FoHS fundraiser, educator and I mentor new wardens and look after our mobile information unit.  I also administrate our newly installed exclusive Warden’s only rota and news feed site hosted by Three Rings.

Sally Butler Head of Seal Counting team, FoHS Rescue Team Leader, Warden Mentor

I was born in Spalding in Lincolnshire and from an early age I was involved with animals, helping out on a local farm and rearing abandoned lambs.  I have worked in retail for 37 years mainly as a Bakery Manager and Regional trainer.  I am a trained Rescue diver and have been lucky enough to have travelled around the world diving.  I have always had a soft spot for Norfolk and have had many holidays here before deciding to bite the bullet and move here in 2019.  I said for years that all I want to do is go to Norfolk and count seal’s and now that’s what I do and more.  I am also a member of the FoHS rescue Team.  And I love it!

Julie Sisson FoHS Rescue Team Member

We have volunteered at FoHS for 4 years now, our interest started when we were on holiday in the area and would just sit in the dunes listening to the seals.  Then in 2019 we made the decision to up sticks from Nottingham and move here, best thing we ever did!!  Our neighbour happened to be a committee member and we started volunteering straight away.  We then became duty wardens and members of the rescue team.  We also organise the weekly counts of seals in the winter and send this information to St Andrews university in Edinburgh, they collate the information nationally and analyse the data.  This year Sally took control of the rescue team so we now man the emergency phone and coordinate rescues.  We love doing this and it’s what Sally has dreamed of doing for years!!!

Our Wardens

Our team of volunteer seal wardens give up their free time to help us protect the large colony of grey seals at Horsey and Winterton. In addition, they provide information and guidance to the thousands of visitors who come to see the seals during the pupping season between November and January.

Every warden receives detailed training before going on their first shift and we offer a mentoring scheme to help guide them when they start. Once qualified our wardens book their own shifts on-line to fit around their other commitments. Volunteering with Friends of Horsey Seals provides a unique opportunity to be involved in the preservation of the grey seal colony and to join a community of like-minded wardens.

To find out more email: recruitment@friendsofhorseyseals.co.uk or you can fill in an on-line application form.

Application Form

More Information

Protecting the Colony

Friends of Horsey Seals works hard to protect the seal colony and make sure people keep a safe distance while viewing them.

Read More

Seal Rescues

Part of the FoHS ethos is to always put the needs of the seals first. Human interaction with them should be a last resort and only if absolutely necessary.

Read More

Seal Counts

You may wonder why we count our seals during the pupping season, how we go about it and why we bother to do it at all?

Read More

 

Emergency?

If you see any seals in difficulty, please contact the FoHS Rescue Team on 07706 314514
or the RSPCA on 0300 1234999.

Friends of Horsey Seals

Contact Us

Friends of Horsey Seals,
c/o 2 Chapel Cottages,
Back Lane, Rollesby,
Norfolk, NR29 5EB

enquiries@friendsofhorseyseals.co.uk

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