All the work recently hasn’t just been to benefit wildlife – we have also brought the diggers in to create a new nature trail at the end of the Turf Hotel path and have installed the basic foundations for a viewing screen which will over look parts of the marshes which flood during the winter months. A very simple construction based on one at Arne, we plan to get it completed by the end of next month just in time for people to get good views of the flocks of wildfowl that always chose to gather in the areas that people haven’t previously been able to see. To accompany the viewing screen at the end of the path which leads to the Turf Hotel, plans have been progressing to install a pond dipping platform. Gemma our Visitor Officer has been working with one of our long-term volunteers to put together a design that will best suit family groups particularly to enjoy this much loved activity. Once the plans are complete all the necessary permissions will be sort, which will include planning and flood defence consent and then we will look to secure the income needed.

So I will keep you posted as I am sure many people out there, much like me, have never lost the desire for a spot of pond dipping, to swish a net in the freshwater to see what beasties they can catch!!