Norfolk-based UK charity, the Hawk and Owl Trust, has just heard that it has been successful in securing a National Lottery grant of £821,700. This is a truly significant moment, meaning the vision of a major nature reserve and community project can become a reality.
The National Lottery funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is part of an overall £1.7million project, with £850,000 of this to be raised by a public appeal which launched in May 2017 and finishes in May 2019. Part of the appeal is to raise the money required to purchase two large parcels of land surrounding its existing reserve at Sculthorpe Moor, one mile outside of Fakenham.
The purchase of the land, however, is just one piece of the overall project. Developing the land into a rich wildlife habitat, managing it for wildlife and creating the infrastructure needed to allow interpretation and access to all to the land are integral elements.
In December 2017, Hawk and Owl Trust heard that it had been successful in securing initial support for National Lottery funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) enabling a dedicated fundraiser to be employed, focusing on raising the rest of the money needed for this ambitious project.
Now the Trust has heard the wonderful news that it has successfully passed the second stage of the application, releasing the necessary funds to allow purchase of the land and beginning the on-going development and maintenance of the area as a nature reserve and community project. The Trust’s vision for Sculthorpe Fen is one where a rich ecosystem co-exists with the local community. Access for all is, and always has been, an essential part of what makes the reserve special. This project contains a large element of allowing everyone, no matter what their mobility and abilities, to enjoy and learn from the wildlife and countryside around them. The existing Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve has received 5-out-of-5 stars on Euan’s Guide, an online guide to disabled access. One reviewer said “…I have never seen anywhere that has put so much effort to enable disabled people to enjoy birds and wildlife. The walkways are fabulous…”
The reserve is also recognised as being important for its wildlife, with breeding Marsh Harriers, Barn Owls and a range of other birds of prey and owls making their homes on this small area. Numerous small birds, such as Marsh Tits, Brambling, Cetti’s Warblers, Bearded Reedlings, Bullfinches and Kingfishers are either year-round residents, or visit seasonally. Flowers and insects are abundant and diverse and mammals include Otter and Water Vole.
Sculthorpe Fen, as the new area is known, has a long and very varied history and a rich wildlife. The Hawk and Owl Trust has maintained the Fen for the current landowners for a number of years, but the potential for wildlife will never be fulfilled whilst the area remains in use as agricultural land. Purchase of the land will ensure long-term access to the existing Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve, essential for ongoing management of this award-winning reserve and will allow dedicated management of the fen area, for the benefit of all wildlife, from plants and algae up to birds of prey.
The National Lottery funding is an essential part of bringing this vision to reality, and we are immensely heartened by their support for the Sculthorpe Fen project and we look forward to now being able to go ahead and developing the project with HLF alongside us.
Nigel Middleton, Sculthorpe Moor Reserve Manager, said “The extension and development of the reserve has been a long time coming, but desperately hoped for. Sculthorpe is an oasis in the midst of intensive agriculture and the huge and diverse wildlife to be found here bears testament to how important for wildlife it is – and what effect the larger area will have on the biodiversity in this part of Norfolk. I was shaking when I heard that we had been awarded the money – what a rosy future the reserve now has!”
Adrian Blumfield, Chief Operations Director, H&OT said “The local community has always been at the heart of Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve and this National Lottery grant will enable us to significantly increase the size and impact of the reserve, providing a place for the community to experience nature and to get involved, as so many already do, with a wealth of volunteering opportunities.”
Robyn Llewellyn, Head of HLF East of England, said: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, Sculthorpe Moor’s wildlife will have more space to thrive and people of all ages and backgrounds will have some fantastic opportunities to enjoy their natural heritage and be a part of building a bright future for the reserve.”
