Banks grant helps local people enjoy important wildlife site

Monday 07 April 2008

An environmentally important piece of County Durham heathland, which is home to a variety of rare plants and animals, is being made easier for local people to enjoy thanks to regional developer The Banks Group.

Hedleyhope Fell, between Tow Law and Cornsay Colliery, is a rare example of what ecologists call ‘mid-altitude heathland’.

The fell is managed by Durham Wildlife Trust, which has just received £10,000 from the Banks Community Fund to pay for new signs, bridges, boardwalks and drainage works on the 200 hectare site.

Hedleyhope Fell used to belong to the Banks Group, which operated a surface mine on part of the site. The company donated it to the Trust four years ago.

Hedleyhope Fell reserve officer Craig Best says: "The fell is very popular with local people who use it for dog-walking and horse riding, and we wanted to make it easier for them to access. For example, parts of the fell can get very damp, so providing boardwalks and bridges makes it easier for people to walk there.

"The aim is to use these walkways to link Tow Law and Cornsay Colliery which are at opposite ends of the reserve and lie four miles apart.

“We also want to put up a noticeboard and information panel that keeps local people and visitors up-to-date with the ongoing management of the reserve and provide information on how to get involved."

Hedleyhope Fell provides a rich habitat for birds including skylarks and lapwings, the Green Hairstreak butterfly as well as heather and bilberry shrubs. It is the largest reserve managed by Durham Wildlife Trust and one of their most important in terms of the variety of plants and animals that can be found there.

Craig adds: "We're really grateful that Banks has made this commitment to local wildlife and the local community. Their investment will help protect the area's valuable plants and animals and means the fell will become an even better place for local people to relax and experience nature at first hand."

Mark Dowdall, environment and community director at The Banks Group, adds: "It's great to be able to invest in a project that will make a real difference to the local community.

"As well as increasing the enjoyment that local people get out of the fell by making it easier to walk there, we're also helping to increase understanding of a very special and environmentally important place."

The Banks Community Fund is administered by the County Durham Foundation. Projects, community groups, or organisations looking for funding in the vicinity of a Banks Group development should contact Christina Rackley on 0191 383 0055.

To find out more about Hedleyhope Fell Nature Reserve and how to volunteer contact Craig Best on 01388 488728 or cbest@durhamwt.co.uk

Back to home page.