RYAN Dobson is the manager of a place of beauty which has risen out of what could have remained a scene of horror.

He manages the Watchtree Nature Reserve near his hometown of Wigton.

This reserve was one of the major burial sites when foot and mouth disease devastated the area in 2001 and led to the wholesale slaughter of herds..

By 2004, the area was already being turned into a nature reserve and when Ryan joined in 2009 his job was access officer, which meant he had to ensure that this reserve was accessible to all.

He worked with the Wheelers, Watchtree’s cycling group, which has made the reserve a recognised centre of excellence for cyclists of all abilities.

Watchtree Wheelers is all about getting people on bikes. The organisation hires bikes, sells them, fixes them and even teaches people to ride.

Ryan said as well as being fun, cycling was great for mental and physical health.

“It’s something you can do on your own if you want some peace and quiet and it is fun to do with a group of friends.”

As access officer, he did not just deal with cyclists but he was also the one who made sure that nobody was turned away who wanted to try it.

“I worked to ensure that people with disabilities were able to ride,by making both the bikes and the cycle routes accessible to all.

“I had been in the job four or five years when I became manager.

“I now do a lot of things including education and encouraging people to enjoy a healthy physical and mental lifestyle.”

Watchtree was funded by DEFRA after foot and mouth but that funding ended in 2015. The reserve remains sustainable through donations, membership, sponsorship, volunteer helpers and its cafe.

Watchtree has turned tragedy into a place for all the family to visit. It runs all kinds of events including running, cycling, foraging walks and more.

There is wildlife to watch, meadow, wetland, woodland and more.

Birthday parties can be booked and there is virtually everything a family would want on a day out.

As manager, Ryan Dobson has all the administrative aspects of any manager but, on the other hand, he gets to work in a little piece of paradise - and the cafe sells award winning fish and chips, too.