The Avenue Washlands Nature Reserve throws open its gates…

16 Aug 2007
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust officially opened The Avenue Washlands Nature Reserve as part of the second Avenue Open Day on Friday 3rd August.

Members of the local community and invited guests from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Land Restoration Trust, English Partnerships, East Midlands Development Agency, Derbyshire County Council, North East Derbyshire District Council, Chesterfield Borough Council and Tupton Parish Council witnessed a ribbon cutting and tree planting to formally open the new public amenity.

Special guests also included young Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Wardens Sorcha Abbots (who cut the ribbon) and her brother Fergus Abbots who planted a new oak tree at the Washlands Nature Reserve, which is south of Mill Lane at Wingerworth, near Chesterfield. (see pictures).

Members of The Avenue Project Team were again on hand to answer questions from local residents, whilst the circus workshop and face painting entertained the younger visitors.

Bureau Veritas, the air monitoring contractors were in the new Visitor Centre, recruiting odour diarists from the local area to help odour monitoring during the remediation project, which is expected to last up to five years. Meanwhile the team at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust ran family activities including River Dipping, Dragonfly making and Mini-Beasts

The weather was kind on the day, and refreshments were available (thank you to the local church group) in the marquee.

Thank you to all those who attended and we look forward to staging future events over the coming years. Visit the website for updates and details of future Open Days.