The Beckford Nature Reserve is located just north of the village centre...
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On this page ....
Latest News
Greeting Cards
We are thinking of creating a new selection of greeting cards of the Nature Reserve based on some of the excellent photos which have been collected over the past few years. Keep an eye on this website for more information.
Posted 16th July 2010
Talk on Local Geology
The SSSI in the Nature Reserve has attracted a local geologist from the Earth Heritage Trust. He will be giving a talk at the Village Hall on Friday 25th June at 7:30. Click here for details.
Article in Tewkesbury Direct
An article about the nature reserve has been accepted by the free magazine Tewkesbury Direct. Click here for a quick view of the article.
Posted 6th March 2010
Earth Heritage Trust visit to the SSSI
A recent visit by the Earth Heritage Trust to the SSSI site on the Nature Reserve has resulted in a report, which may be of interest to friends of the Nature Reserve.
Posted 2nd March 2010
Spring working party
The time has come to tidy the Nature Reserve ready for the spring. Please click here for details.
Posted 8th February 2010
Accounts available
The company accounts for last year are now available for viewing - see under 'Acounts' below
posted 11th January 2010
Trustee Required
John Clifford retired in December 2009, but hopes to continue helping out in the reserve as Conservation Warden, organising any working parties required. However, this means that we are now one short on the number of trustees required for a workable committee. So if your are interested in the reserve and are prepared to put in a few hours extra work in helping to keep the Nature Reserve 'up-to-scratch', then look at the local advert and put your name forward.
posted 2nd January 2010
Latest Progress Report
The latest progress report is now available after the autumn working party.
posted 6th December 2009
200 Club Draw
The success of the 200 club means that we can now increase the number of prizes each month. As from December 2009 we will be adding a £15 prize each month. This means that each month you have a chance of winning £50, £25, £15 X2 and £10!!
posted 23rd November 2009
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General meeting for the Trustees of the Nature Reserve will be held on Thursday 17th December at 2:30 pm in the village hall. This is an open meeting, so if you would like to know what's been happening in the reserve at first hand, please come along and support the trustees.
posted 16th November 2009
Working Party postponed
Due to the bad weather last Saturday, the working party has been postponed until Saturday 21st - weather permitting!
posted 14th November 2009
2010 Calendars are now available
The 2010 Nature Reserve Calendars are now available. Get your copy by either calling in at the Village Shop or by post. The cost this year is the same as last year - £6 at the shop or £7 by post. If you wish to order by post, send a cheque for £7 made out to 'Beckford Nature Reserve' together with a delivery address to...
Beckford Stores,
Main Street, Beckford,
Tewkesbury
GL20 7AD
posted - 9th November 2009
Disabled access path complete
The path for wheelchair access is now complete...
| The path leads to a hard standing next to the lake... |  |
Later a shelter will be provided to enable wheel chair visitors to view the lake in inclement weather. During the next working party the small trees and reeds in front of this area will be removed for better viewing.
Working Party
A working party has been organised as part of the three year maintenance plan. All volunteer help will be very welcome. As you can see from the work required as much help as possible will be required if we wish to achieve everything on the list. Please put this in your diaries and come along.
posted - 9th November 2009
QUIZ Night
Friday 13th November - lucky for some! . It will be a Hotpot Supper & homemade mince pies, along with a shorter quiz. The cost is £48.00 per table of 6 (£8 per head). To book please ring either Jennifer Berriman 01386 882029 or Angie Davies 01386 881126 for further details. Click Here for more details.
Checkout the latest progress report
A few things have happened in the reserve and some new fun raising events have been scheduled.
Wychavon District Council community grants case study
After successfully obtaining a grant from Wychavon District Council for the purchase of the Nature Reserve, the Trustees have written a small article for the council updating them on the progress since the purchase. Wychavon Council have posted this article on their website. If you would like to view this article please click here
2010 Calendars
We are already thinking about creating a 2010 calendar. Click here for more information or email bnr@beckford-stores.co.uk.
Disabled Access
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The new disabled access gate is now installed. We are currently negotiating for work to start on a wheel-chair friendly path to the peninsula - which will eventually possess a 'bus shelter' style hide for wheel-chair visitors to view the lake in comfort. |
Gates Installed
The new gates on the public footpath are now in place, making access to the Nature Reserve much easier for those who find stiles a hindrance...
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Installing the New Gates (Photo by Gill Kellett, the new footpath warden) |
The finished job (photos by Trevor McGill and Marion Slade).... |
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| The new gate near the hide | The new gate at the Rabbit Lane public footpath entrance |
Extra Seat
| John and Sandra Hall have kindly donated a second seat, which has been placed in the small clearing on the north side of the lake. Visitors to the Reserve have already expressed their appreciation of these welcome resting places. |  |
Bird Boxes
Two bird boxes have been installed one on the outside of the hide and the second on the peninsula. These are to commemorate Pete Cosh who loved the Reserve.
Progress reports can be viewed here...
The Company Accounts can be viewed here...
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Early 2010 marks ownership of the Reserve by the village for nearly two years, during which time it has undergone some changes and improvements. We continue to attract many visitors from the surrounding villages and further afield, to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the seasons changing fauna and flora. The Reserve is also being visited by wildlife experts each specializing in their own various fields. We continue as far as possible to follow our three year maintenance plan, with volunteer working parties, and outside contractors providing mechanical backup for the heavier tasks. Some of the projects undertaken by the volunteers include coppicing alders, constructing much needed steps using materials from the coppiced trees, and building lakeside brushwood safety barriers. Paths have also been improved using chippings from some of our felled trees. Bramble clearance has been a major issue and will continue to be so for years to come; however, significant progress has been made by both contractors and volunteers alike. |
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| One of our more ambitious projects was the construction of a disabled access and pathway for wheelchair users on the Ashton Road side of the Reserve. Plans for the new hide are in progress, with the anticipation of completion by the end of this year.This winter has seen erosion to the SSSI geological face due to the heavy rains and prolonged frosts, but we have renewed interest by Natural England, and are awaiting suggestions for its maintenance. The University of Worcester are anxious to carry out monitoring tests of the topsoil above the quarry face. Click here if you wish to find out more about the SSSI - including a map of the reserve. A recent visit by the Earth Heritage Trust to the SSSI resulted in a report on the state of the geology of the site. After the initial purchase of the site, John Clarke from the Kemerton Nature Reserve drew up a plan for the Nature Reserve. Please click here to view the 3 year plan compiled by John Clifford. | |
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Check out the list of sightings in the Nature Reserve. You can now update the listings on-line from this website.
John Clarke has compiled a report on the sighting of spotted flycatchers in and around Bredon Hill. If you would like to see any of his reports...
The hide, located on the southern side of the lake, is a perfect place to observe the population of the lake. As a visitor to the hide, you are asked to fill out the log to let others know what they might expect to see on the Reserve. These logs can be viewed here...
The hide is secured by a combination lock - if you wish to use the hide, please contact one of the Nature Reserve trustees for the latest combination number.
Join the club by buying one of more tickets to enter the monthly draw - your chances will be much higher than the National Lottery or the Premium Bonds.
The winning tickets numbers are drawn each month by a member of the public in The Beckford, and winners will receive their prize within the week. Every member of the club (i.e. those who buy at least one ticket) will receive a list of the winners just before the 'renewal date' for membership. The monthly winners will be posted on this website and on a notice in Beckford Stores.
Please contact the Nature Reserve Treasurer, Jennifer Berriman on 01386 882029 for more information or to join the club.
To see if your ticket has won in the latest draw, click on the icon below...
Nature Reserve Cards and Photos
We are currently reviewing the Nature Reserve Cards and hope to be selling a new selection very soon. Keep an eye on this page for more information.
(This page was last updated on Friday 16th July 2010 07:53pm)