Blashford Lakes Birthday Bonanza flyer

It was in the summer of 1996 that the Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve and the site’s education centre was opened by botanist Professor David Bellamy and local dignitaries.

At the heart of the new Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve was creating a sanctuary for wildlife from an old industrial site, where people of all ages could come to be thrilled by nature. In the twenty years since the reserve opened, and with the support of the Trust’s supporters, volunteers, and partners, it is now completely unrecognisable.

This month marks the reserve’s twentieth birthday – a brilliant chance to celebrate everyone that’s been involved in transforming the site to the wildlife haven it is today. We are holding an open day on Friday 22^nd July, between 10.30am and 3.30pm for a wildlife discovery extravaganza – explore the nature reserve and join our staff and volunteers for pond and river dipping, bug hunting and bird watching.

At 1.30pm we will be more formally recognising this milestone with a few words from our Chief Executive Officer and key partners and a cake cutting “ceremony”. We would very much like it if members of the parish council were able to join us to represent the local community at our event.

You are of course very welcome to come earlier, or stay on after the ceremony, to enjoy what is on offer, but if arriving for just this part of the event it would be helpful if you could meet at the Centre from 1pm and allow time to walk up from the car park (please note that there will be limited parking at the centre itself for disabled visitors only, with the main car park being located a 5-10 minute walk away, on the other side of Ellingham Drove, in the nature reserve car park (near Tern Hide).

 If you are able to join us I would be grateful if you could RSVP to confirm your attendance;

Jim Day

e-mail jim.day@hiwwt.org.uk

telephone 01425 472760