About

During 1992, I was seconded to the newly-formed Sussex Downs Conservation Board with remit of overseeing the carrying out of conservation works, rights of way maintenance, and also Dutch Elm Disease Control across the Downs between Brighton and Eastbourne.

Established the Exmoor Pony Grazing Project in 1999, carrying out grazing to assist wildlife and landscape.  I left the SDCB to its navel-gazing (that is, National Park envisaging) in early-2005.  ‘Adopted’ the pony grazing operation, leading me back to real conservation rather than much mindless pushing of paper.  With volunteers and generous funding from various bodies, set up the charity, Sussex Pony Grazing and Conservation Trust.  My main sphere of work becoming that of Grazing Co-ordinator for eventually 85 Exmoor ponies. 

To begin with post 2005, I also carried out habitat surveying and conservation advice to farmers and landowners and rural contracting and tree work.

Finally, I retired during February 2017. Through the power of the web, I follow and publicise wider environmental stories.  I also blog on Facebook and Bluesky (montylarkin.bsky.social).

I have a keen interest in local history, conservation and the wider environment.  Have carried out much historical research and published two reference books: 2006 saw the appearance of my first book, ‘In The Footsteps Of Time,’ a geology text book centred on the Cuckmere valley in Sussex.  This followed in 2008 (reprinted in 2014) the detailed local history volume, ‘Seven Sisters – The History Behind The View.’  2020 saw the publication of a limited print-run of my autobiography.

My main interests are enjoying the countryside, walking, classical music, reading and blogging.  During September of 2024, I moved from Sussex to Pembrokeshire, I being greatly saddened by the plunder and spoilation of my former beautiful home county of Sussex.