It's the late 1990s. The Society's metamorphosis from an old-style natural history club into a more dynamic conservation organisation is complete. There are some great people on the committee and good work is being done. Buying Maer Lake hasn't bankrupted us, funds have built up again and we are looking for a new reserve, preferably in the west of the county.
I'm not sure how it comes about, but there is a discussion with a certain charitable trust about a possible partnership to purchase Windmill Farm on the Lizard. Apparently the elderly owners are retiring from farming and want the land to be managed for nature conservation. A joint application for funding is submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund....but it fails.
We assume the farm is being sold elsewhere. Time passes. Suddenly it's back on the agenda. Now we're talking about a joint venture with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, with whom we've been working well at Maer Lake. Negotiations grind on. There's a new lotteries bid. It's approved. The legal people do the business. We have a new reserve. And it's almost on my doorstep. Nice!
What a coup for the trust. My favourite place and certainly Joe's favourite. Had many great days there even though the majority have been without anything out of the ordinary. Love it.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a great place. I've only been twice. Once when we were originally looking at it as a reserve with you Andy and then about 4 years ago. A lot has changed in between. I would love something like that up here on the North coast.
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