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Throughout the development of converting this old quarry in to an activity and training centre we have worked with South Gloucestershire Council, The Environment Agency, Hanson and we have invited special interest groups to use the facility for studies. The lake was constructed by the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust and remodelled by another contractor using the WWT plans (we needed to use a lake liner to serve nature and participants smarter as the mud isn't sustainable for shaping lakes). When Hanson moved out of the site they planted 100s of trees which have been left to nature. Lots of forestry work was needed to make the area safe for visitors and inviting for wildlife. Scout Enterprises employed a professional part time woodlands officer who worked three days a week for five years on the site. We worked with Hanson to pump fresh water from their working quarry in to our new lake and paid another contractor to drill a bore hole to sustain the lake. We have bought plants and built a waterfall system which is switched on regularly to sustain the lake as well.
Today hundreds of birds, a few deer, fish, insects and other wildlife use the lake regularly. The bank of the lake has been grassed over which attracts several rabbits every day and pheasants, herons and ducks are found here regularly. In our woodlands we have resident owls, bats, buzzards, foxes and most other local wildlife. At the top of our cliff is an Iron Age Hill Fort (which is why the site is called Castle Quarry) All along the cliff top and down the back of the cliff has been left to nature. This is a large area which is protected by our environmental policy. New for Summer 2009 is a Nature Trail where our visitors can explore and education centres can participate in science, geography and environmental studies. Please ask for more details by calling 01454 411 474 or e-mail castlequarry@scout-enterprises.co.uk |
