Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
The Forest of Marston Vale Trust
  • Search
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Donate
Menu
  • About us
    • Coronavirus (COVID19)
    • Our Story
    • How we help
    • Community Fund
    • Trustees
    • Our Patron
    • Corporate Friends
  • Explore the Forest
    • Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park
      • Opening Times and Directions
      • The Forest Centre
      • The Millennium Country Park
      • Bike Hire
      • Wetlands Nature Reserve
      • Wind Turbine
    • Our Woodlands
    • Walks and Routes
    • Kids and Families
    • Schools
      • Forest School
      • School Visits and Resources
  • Help the Forest
    • Why trees?
    • Become a Friend
    • Dedicate a Tree
    • Sponsor a Habitat
  • Support Us
    • Corporate Opportunities
    • Fundraise for us
      • Jump for the trees - sponsored skydive
      • Run for the trees - Bedford Running Festival
      • Raise £s as You Shop
      • Get inspired
    • In Memory
    • Volunteer for us
      • Volunteer opportunities
      • Volunteer Tasks
  • What's going on
    • News
    • Events
    • Our blog
  • Shop
    • Bedford Park Concerts
    • Commemorative Leaf Plaques
    • Firewood
  • Venue hire
    • Weddings
    • Parties
    • Conferencing
    • Team Building
    • Wakes
    • Green Values
  • Trees for Climate
  • 01234762615
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. About us

Our Patron

In 2021 we appointed Her Majesty the Queen’s representative for Bedfordshire - the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis - as our first charity Patron.

Helen Nellis was appointed by HM The Queen as the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire and began her term of office on 22 February 2012.

Helen’s career has spanned the law, higher education, health and the commercial sector. A qualified Barrister and academic by background, she has worked as a global senior executive search professional and has a consultancy business as an executive coach specialising in the improvement of personal and board- level leadership performance in complex organisations.

Together with her family, Helen has been involved in supporting development in a village in Ghana for many years. She is a Trustee, President and Patron of several charities.

Commenting on her appointment as Patron, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis said:

"At this moment in history, where we all have an increased awareness of the vital importance of looking after our environment so that we can live in harmony with nature, it is a pleasure and an honour to support the excellent work of The Forest of Marston Vale Trust as their Patron. I have long been impressed by the huge difference they make to our lives in Bedfordshire. Their outreach programmes, which engage young and not so young, enable greater understanding of the part we can all play in nurturing our natural world so that future generations will benefit. Plant a tree today and just imagine a child, one hundred years from now, playing under its boughs - a beautiful thought!"




For more information please contact our Communications Officer.

Published: 17th August, 2021

Updated: 2nd September, 2021

Author: Cate Gosling

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • The geological past of Millennium Country Park - part 3: LONG FORGOTTEN PHAROAHS AND THE DEVIL’S FOOT-SOLDIERS

    The geological past of Millennium Country Park - part 3: LONG FORGOTTEN PHAROAHS AND THE DEVIL’S FOOT-SOLDIERS

    You’ll be amazed at what is under your feet as you walk around the Millennium Country Park: a real-life marine Jurassic Park! Part 3 of a 5 part series by local geology enthusiast, Duncan Willox

  • PRESS RELEASE: Forest of Marston Vale receives over £2.3 million to plant trees and give more people greater access to nature

    PRESS RELEASE: Forest of Marston Vale receives over £2.3 million to plant trees and give more people greater access to nature

    The Forest of Marston Vale Trust has been allocated £2.3M in funding by Defra to plant trees and create new woodlands under plans to increase access to nature for communities across England.

  • Gardeners corner - activities in July

    Gardeners corner - activities in July

    Our Gardening Volunteers do a terrific job of keeping the garden areas at Millennium Country Park looking their best in every season - here's what they've been up to in July.

  • Jump for the trees - sponsored skydive

    Jump for the trees - sponsored skydive

    Support local tree planting and the Forest of Marston Vale! Book a skydive with Skyline Events anywhere in the UK and raise money for the Forest!

Most read

  • Opening times and directions

    The Forest Centre's Opening Times and Directions to the Millennium Country Park

  • Walks and routes

    Walks and routes

    Our suggestions for great walks, bike rides and bridleways throughout the Forest of Marston Vale.

  • Weddings

    Weddings

    Give the Forest a future by starting your future with us. The Forest Centre is a stunning wedding venue

  • Become a Friend of the Forest Today

    Become a Friend of the Forest Today

    Join now to help us to plant 5 million trees in the Forest

  • Car parking charges

    Car parking charges

    In order to carry on maintaining our sites and planting more trees we need to step it up.

  • Opening times and map

  • Bike hire

    Bike hire

    From just £7 for an adult bike, explore the Millennium Country Park

  • Jobs

    Jobs

    Job Opportunities at the Forest Centre

  • Our story

    Our story

    Trees make life better

  • Wetlands Nature Reserve

    Wetlands Nature Reserve

    In the Millennium Country Park

Tag cloud

Birds Spiders Trees for Climate Wildlife

Sign up to help us plant 5 million trees!

* indicates required
I want to hear about:

Useful Links

  • Contact us
  • Jobs
  • Press
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy and Cookies policy
  • Community Fund
  • Accessibility
  • Terms and Conditions

Follow us

  • Trip Advisor
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

The Forest of Marston Vale Trust is a Registered Charity No. 1069229.
Company registered in England No 3462405.

Registered Office: The Forest Centre, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford MK43 0PR.
Marston Vale Services t/a The Forest Centre Ltd, registered in England No 3538255 & Marston Vale Farms Limited, registered in England No 06537891 are subsidiaries of the Forest of Marston Vale Trust.

Manage Cookie Preferences