by Sarah Featley
Adam
Henson, farmer and rural TV presenter, officially opened The Parks Trust’s
new Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve on Thursday 25th August 2016.
The
Parks Trust has converted 48 hectares of the
Great Ouse Valley near Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes into the reserve, with the
help of Hanson UK. The transformation of the reserve
began with an initial idea 20 years ago, with work commencing in 2007.
Adam was
joined at the opening event by Cllr Steve Coventry, Mayor of Milton Keynes, key
representatives from The Parks Trust including David Foster, Chief Executive and
Phil Bowsher, Head of Landscape Strategy and Development, and David Weeks, Head
of PR and Communications at Hanson.
Members of
the public who attended on the day were able to meet Adam and take a look around the site, and also
join in on a number of fun activities, including guided walks, bird spotting and bug hunting. A real treat for many
was the sighting of a Great White Egret, an uncommon large white heron which
has only started breeding in the UK within the last four years.
This
development of the Floodplain Forest Nature reserve puts Milton Keynes at the
forefront of demands both in the UK and internationally to create and restore
wetland habitats. The comprehensive restoration project incorporates a variety of elements (such
as interlinked channels, shallow pools and gravel islands) to return the area to what it might have
looked like more than 5,000 years ago – a wildlife-rich floodplain forest.
In
addition, the quarrying that took place as part of the development generated around
686,000 tonnes of minerals, most of which was used to meet local demand.
Phil
Bowsher commented: “We’re thrilled that our new Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve is now officially open.
It was a great day with lots of visitors enjoying a guided tour of this special
area, and plenty of takers for a selfie with
Adam!
“The
new reserve forms a key part of our long term vision to increase biodiversity
in Milton Keynes and make landscapes packed with wildlife accessible to people.
We’re very much looking forward to seeing how the area develops over the months
and years to come.”
Martin
Kincaid, Biodiversity Officer, at The Parks Trust added: “Now the reserve is
open, we’re very keen to encourage the public to make the use of the area and
see how it changes throughout the year; with different species of birds and
animals visiting and the changes in vegetation; we also have plans to introduce
ponies and cattle for grazing just as the prehistoric forest would have been
grazed by wild animals in the past.
“It’s a
fantastic spot for walkers although we ask that dogs be kept on their leads
throughout the area so as not to disturb the wildlife. It is also important
that people remember that the reserve will flood so it might not be fully accessible
all year round!”
Factfile:
·
The project has involved the removal by
quarrying of sand and gravel deposits from the river floodplain by Hanson
UK, The Parks Trust’s partner in the scheme.
·
The removal of the sand and gravel has enabled
the formation of a mosaic of new water channels, pools, marsh areas
and small islands within the river floodplain.
·
Work to extract the gravel from the site began in
2007 and was completed in 2014.
·
The landscape will flood regularly when water
levels in the river Great Ouse rise. As well as creating a wildlife-rich
habitat, the project has also been intended to enable the more natural
functioning of the river floodplain.
·
This varied floodplain habitat will mature into a
diverse ecosystem supporting a wide range of plants and insects,
amphibians, birds, fish and mammals such as otter and water vole.
Joining
Terry Sullivan on this week’s Sticks show is Jimmy Osmond, member of the
legendary Osmond family. In
1972, Jimmy occupied the prestigious Christmas Number One spot with “Long
Haired Lover From Liverpool.” It was the biggest selling single of the year and
went on to spend a staggering 27 weeks in the charts. This hit also put Jimmy
in the Guinness Book of Records as the youngest person ever to top the UK
charts – a record he still holds to this day plus what’s on this week in MK
and surrounding areas. 
David Stimson talks business and young enterprise on Thursdays 3 - 4.
