Youngsters from Millom will be unveiling exciting new information signs at the town's Ironworks Nature Reserve on Thursday, 8th September, at 4.00pm.
The reserve, which was established on the old ironworks site in 2002, is an internationally important habitat for the endangered natterjack toad and is home to skylarks and other important wildlife as well as wildflowers such as the bee orchid and the rare yellow-wort.
New welcome signs, incorporating logos designed by local school children, will be placed at each of the six entrances to the site.
There will also be two new information signs within the reserve. One panel interprets the wildlife and features artwork by Broughton-based artist Christine Isherwood. The other interprets the site’s industrial heritage with words and pictures.
Both are mounted on cairns made of local stone from Ghyll Scaur Quarry which was donated by Bardon Aggregates.
The signs have been funded by Cumbria County Council’s Environment and Regeneration Units and Copeland Local Committee, Copeland Borough Council and the Duddon Estuary Partnership.
The Local Nature Reserve Management Group and Friends of Millom Ironworks Local Nature Reserve are jointly hosting the event on Thursday when the new signs will be officially launched by Mayor of Millom Peter Hodgson.
This event is part of Heritage Open Days 2005.
Jack Richardson, Cumbria County Council cabinet spokesman for protecting and enhancing the environment, said: “The Ironworks is a fairly new reserve which celebrates both the richness of a very important habitait as well as the area’s industrial heritage and a lot of local people and organisations have worked together to make it such a success. The new signs welcoming people to the reserve and the information panels interpreting the environment and history will really add to visitors’ experience of the reserve.”
Arrival and parking.
The unveiling will take place at the Devonshire Road entrance opposite the Devonshire Road Industrial Estate. Please arrive in good time.
Parking is available at the Devonshire Road entrance and at the Rugby Club where
light refreshments will be available in the education room from 4.45pm.
For more information contact:
Judy Palmer - County Ecologist & Chair of the Management Group 01539 773444.
Phil Webster - Chair of Friends Group 01229 773937.
Annie Masson - Assistant Ecologist 01539 773115 or Mobile 07884175059.