Friday 13th proved to be very lucky for the Middleton Lakes volunteers. Despite a freshening shower during the course of the evening, nothing was going to dampen the collective spirit of all those who had made the opening of the latest RSPB reserve possible.

Filled with bon homie and a tasty pork bap, all our volunteers were asked to perform the ribbon cutting all at once! I believe all fingers were present and correct afterwards.

Nick and Mike Pollard gave welcoming and appreciative talks and then did their duty of spraying champagne around - where did they think they were? Silverstone?

As a memento of the event we were all presented with special RSPB pin-badges to mark the occasion. A collectors item already.

The evening proved to be a great success and we look forward to many more commemorative events in the years to come.

See you on the reserves,

Best regards,

Chris Edwards