By Meg Jorsh

Published at 05:41, Friday, 03 October 2008

HAVING overcome the odds to create a place of beauty, Watch Tree Nature Reserve is setting another good example.

Better: Bosses at Watch Tree Nature Reserve always want to improve it

Bosses decided to sponsor a Cumbria Community Award to highlight their efforts since the Foot and Mouth crisis in 2005. Having turned a livestock graveyard into a haven for animals and plants, they are still working hard to boost their facilities.

They funded the award for Children and Young People to celebrate their latest scheme, due to launch next year. Together with Manchester charity Wheels 4 All, they are set to provide a fleet of 15 Watchtree Wheelers bikes for children to use at the site.

Bill Knowles, of Watch Tree Nature Reserve, said the bikes would at first be provided for children with disabilities. He said: “We’re just trying to create a site in Cumbria that’s different to anywhere else, with plenty of things to do.”

“In terms of the community awards it’s just about showing what a small community can achieve.”

Having consulted local disabled groups about the scheme, he turned to Wheels 4 All for advice and specially adapted bikes. Next, he plans to have paths at the reserve adapted for the new traffic.

He added: “We’re trying to get local businesses to sponsor the bikes and they can have their labels on them. We’ve also put a bid into the People’s Millions lottery fund for the cycle track.”

While they wait to hear if their bid has been successful, reserve staff are already planning the next improvements.

“We’re always looking to improve the site and develop facilities inside and outside. We’ve already put up two new birdwatching hides and set up a dipping pond,” he said.

Future plans could include an online ‘virtual reserve’ and alternative energy centre complete with wind turbines.

For more information, visit www.watchtree.co.uk.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk