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Sunny launch for new National Nature Reserve

Toasting the new NNR

A new National Nature Reserve has been created covering 780 hectares of former coalfields at Wigan and Leigh.
Swans at Amberswood wondering what was going on???

Swans at Amberswood wondering what was going on???

Children from St Peter's C of E Primary School, Hindley, at the launch by Jenny Bennion

Children from St Peter's C of E Primary School, Hindley, at the launch by Jenny Bennion

Children from St Peter's C of E Primary School, Hindley, pond dipping at the launch by Alan Wright

Children from St Peter's C of E Primary School, Hindley, pond dipping at the launch by Alan Wright

LWT Wigan Reserves Manager Mark Champion explains the new NNR status to the media

LWT Wigan Reserves Manager Mark Champion explains the new NNR status to the media

Chief Executive Dr Tom Burditt and Director of Nature and Well-being Daveen Wallis listen to the wildlife at Amberswood

Chief Executive Dr Tom Burditt and Director of Nature and Well-being Daveen Wallis listen to the wildlife at Amberswood

Speakers - Leader of Wigan Council Coun David Molyneux, poet Clare Shaw, NE Partnership Manager Amanda Wright, young volunteer Alice Griggs, NE Social Inclusion Advisor Jenny Griggs, NE CEO Marian Spain and Joy Winstanley of Friends of Three Sisters

Speakers - Leader of Wigan Council Coun David Molyneux, poet Clare Shaw, NE Partnership  Manager Amanda Wright, young volunteer Alice Griggs, NE Social Inclusion Advisor Jenny Griggs, NE CEO Marian Spain and Joy Winstanley of Friends of Three Sisters

Cellist Maja Bugge who provided some wonderful music to accompany the launch of the NNF

Cellist Maja Bugge who provided some wonderful music to accompany the launch of the NNF

The Wigan and Leigh National Nature Reserve is the first NNR to be designated for its urban wildlife, which includes willow tit, bittern and water vole.

Partners have worked for many years to have this haven for wildlife recognised and the launch coincides with the 70th anniversary of the first national nature reserve in Scotland.

The launch was celebrated with a special event at Amberswood Nature Reserve which started with a short, wonderful recital by cellist Maja Bugg and two moving poems from Clare Shaw. Speakers included Coun David Molyneux, Leader of Wigan Council, Marian Spain, Amanda Wright and Jenny Griggs of Natural England, young volunteer Alice Griggs, Joy Winstanley of Friend of Three Sisters as well as Wildlife Trusts Wigan Project Manager Mark Champion and our Chief Executive Dr Tom Burditt. Our President Chris Davies was also in attendance.

The launch was a celebration of the amazing work done by the Wildlife Trust, Wigan Council, Forestry England, Natural England, the Friends of  groups and thousands of volunteers. We must also mention the Carbon Landscape project, which ended recently, and was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The National Nature Reserve will be a wonderful place for people to spend time, relaxing and enjoying getting closer to nature. 

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