PRESS RELEASE

11 October 2006
Cheshire Wildlife Trust launches urgent “dream” appeal.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust has launched an urgent appeal to raise £20,000 before the end of October. If successful it will enable the charity to realise its dream of becoming a practitioner of wildlife-friendly farming and being more accessible to local people.

The Trust has been offered the opportunity to move from its current premises at Reaseheath College in Nantwich to Bickley Hall Farm, near Malpas, where it could encourage visitor access, extend its educational work and demonstrate best practice in farming.

Bickley Hall Farm has been cared for without the use of pesticides or herbicides for the last 40 years, which is very rare in the 21st century, and makes it the perfect place for Cheshire Wildlife Trust to deliver its message about less intensive farming. The 200-acre farm includes Bar Mere - a Site of Special Scientific Interest - and is home to several vulnerable bird species including the curlew, lapwing, tree sparrow, yellow hammer and grey partridge. Wild flowers proliferate and include the cornflower, field pansy, poppy and sun spurge.

Chris Mahon, Chief Executive of Cheshire Wildlife Trust says, “This move would be a real opportunity for the Trust to achieve its aim of becoming even more proactive about wildlife conservation throughout the region. But this will only be possible if we manage to raise £20,000 before the end of the month. We all hope this target can be reached, as the move would be an excellent chance for us to put our conservation message into practice through improving visitor access, carrying out an education programme and showcasing wildlife friendly farming”.

The farm has several outbuildings, which could be converted into classrooms and dormitories for education purposes, and the Wildlife Trust would hope to provide self-guided nature trails for members and visitors, which would be an informative adjunct for walkers on the nearby Sandstone Trail. The farm would also provide enough winter feed and housing for the Trust’s herd of traditional breeds of cattle, which are used in its conservation grazing project.

If you would like to make a donation please contact Cheshire Wildlife Trust on 01270 610180 or donate online at www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/cheshire.

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