Plan your visit to Yeovil Country Park

Matthew Arnold

Countryside Ranger

I trained with Dorset Countryside as an Apprentice and went on to work with the team across North Dorset doing a wide variety of tasks from habitat management to Rights of Way maintenance. I secured the role as Assistant Ranger at Yeovil Country Park in 2021 and in 2024 was promoted to Countryside Ranger. I specialise in practical countryside management and have a particular interest in plants, trees and fungi. As a level 2 Tree Inspector I have responsibility for checking the trees and woodlands across the Country Park and ensuring they are in good health or if they require works. In 2025 I won the intermediate hedge laying class at the Blackdown Skills of the Hills competition, and have subsequently entered for the first time at the National Hedge Laying Championships in the Devon class.

Richard Warren

Biodiversity Ranger

I studied wildlife management (Ecology) at Sparholt College and obtained my Bachelor of science Honours degree. I have had a wonderful and varied career in land management, farming, and forestry for which I am truly grateful for. I have worked for Dorset Heaths partnership managing a herd of cattle on internationally protected wildlife sites. I have been a farm adviser at Natural England and worked for the Forestry Commission and Forest Research. I am blessed with strong practical skills and good office IT / planning skills. I have my BASIS and FACTs qualifications and an interest in soils, water and native plants. I have just completed my UKHAB - Biodiversity Net Gain training to assist us with our Town and Country Planning applications/plans. In my free time I enjoy woodworking projects and caring for my young family. I absolutely love working here the team are just fantastic and we work so hard to deliver for the local community.

Sophie Middleditch

Country Park Team

Yeovil Country Park has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have precious memories from childhood of splashing in the ford and getting all muddy on weekend walks in the springs!

I joined the Country Park team first as a Thursday volunteer in 2012 which led to my apprenticeship here, I completed my Environmental Conservation studies at Kingston Maurward during this time.

I am grateful to work in such a beautiful, biodiverse landscape and I am passionate about preserving the town's wildlife value and heritage through the maintenance, conservation, restoration and public engagement tasks we carry out here.

You may come across some of my artwork on your wanders through the park, on a chalkboard, sign, poster or even on a plywood critter dotted along a trail somewhere! There is always something fascinating to learn and discover about the amazing flora and fauna we share this space with; it is an honour to work here

Sue Wheeler

Parks Engagement Officer

I have the role of encouraging residents and visitors to better use Yeovils diverse parks, allotments and Country Park including via social media, consultation, and events as well as by walking around sites and just talking to people. I want to make our green spaces more inclusive and more accessible in a variety of ways to a wider range of residents and visitors. Raised on a smallholding I have a background in horticulture, countryside management and wellbeing.

I’m a practical person who loves the outdoors previously working as a Gardener at Chatsworth house, Parks Officer at Bournemouth Town Council, long distance Trail Officer for Somerset Council and even had my own health business. I feel very fortunate to have graduated from the famous Seale Hayne Agricultural college before its closure. Yeovil has many open spaces which can be a vital part of everyone’s wellbeing and health and I’m passionate about being part of that.