The first day of June. It's foggy. It's rainy. And it's blowing a gale - ok, it's not quite reached eight on the Beaufort scale but with gusts up to 40 miles per hour, it's as good as. And today, of all days, we had guests from the Heritage Lottery Fund plus our Vice President paying us a visit. We could only but hope they'd brought hats with chin straps.
But whatever the weather it's always amazing on the cliff tops and as long as you're dressed for arctic conditions, then you'll be right as ninepence. Fortunately, our guests came well prepared.
Drew Bennellick, Head of Landscape and Natural Heritage at Heritage Lottery Fund was a first -time visitor to the reserve but Professor Sir John Lawton, President of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Vice President of the RSPB, has been visiting regularly since 1971 - although he claimed he'd never experienced weather as wild as today's on the cliff tops.
The first port of call was the Seabird Centre where site manager, Keith Clarkso,n gave a short intro to the reserve and its incredible success story - over 90,000 visitors through its doors in Year 1 with another 20,000 just visiting the reserve. Then it was off into the wild grey yonder to see what could be glimpsed from the viewpoints. As it happens, despite the 'harr', there was plenty to see.
Puffins, razorbills hovering at eye level, a guillemot that had lost its way in the mist and got stranded in a field and seas bubbling as if they were boiling were just some of the high points.
But the real area of interest for these particular visitors was accessibility and the investment and effort that has gone into opening up the reserve to those with mobility and other issues. Barlett Nab's recent transformation to a fully wheelchair accessible viewpoint was part of £100,000 programme of work over the winter which included rebuilding this iconic platform and fitting ramps, wheelchair bays and an accessible path leading up to it. So a visit there was a must - and the visitors certainly look happy with the result!
While there Sir John met Leo Kokoszko who has been volunteering on the reserve for around two years. Leo is autistic and reminded everyone that not all disabilities are physical. He believes that the reserve's 'All Welcome' approach has been life changing for him. His time on the reserve, working with other volunteers and staff, has built his confidence and given him skills and self-belief so he is now able to work face-to-face with the public - something he wouldn't have believed possible. Leo now mentors another autistic volunteer and encourages him to be all that he can.
There was a final stop off at our main viewpoint, Grandstand, which completes the trio of fully accessible viewpoints. Sir John was truly impressed by how the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund has enabled so many more people to enjoy one of England's greatest wildlife spectacles. Equally impressive is the sustainable business model that has been created. The solid commercial venture that investment has helped build ensures that there is a bright future ahead for the reserve..
This was only a a flying visit. So there was just time for an 'official' photograph before Sir John and Drew had to dash off to their next appointment in York. But we hope they'll return - perhaps on a day when it's warm and sunny. Maybe in December?