A Northumberland estate is to offer a rare opportunity for members of the public to view its conservation measures this summer. The proceeds raised will go towards funding the UK's leading wildlife research charity.
The 'Soil and Song Conservation Walk' is being held at the Middleton North estate on the evening of Thursday 8 June. The event is helping to raise funds for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), which for over eighty years has been researching practical ways to reverse game and wildlife declines in the UK, in order to preserve the British countryside for the benefit of future generations.
Middleton North covers 440 acres, situated about 10 miles west of Morpeth and 22 miles north of Newcastle. The land is a mixture of ancient ridge and furrow, arable that has been converted into herbal rich leys, mixes for wild birds mixes and wildflowers. Run by Charlie Bennett and his wife Charlotte, it is in the midst of a large biodiversity project, including the planting of 15,000 trees and the creation of 14 new ponds. In the three years since the programme began, numbers of farmland birds have increased beyond all expectations.
Attendees at the event will be given a tour by Charlie Bennett and GWCT advisor Jennie Stafford, who will explain how the new conservation measures have been put into place. The walk will take place from 5.30pm to around 7.30pm and will be followed by a fantastic barbecue.
GWCT Regional Organiser Sophie Dingwall says, “This is a fantastic chance to see how practical conservation measures can make a big difference.”
Tickets for the walk and barbecue are £30 per person. To book your place or for general enquiries about GWCT events in Northumberland and Durham, please contact Sophie Dingwall at sdingwall@gwct.org.uk or on 07925 597676.
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Photocaption: Charlie Bennett will be leading the conservation walk of Middleton North estate on 8 June.
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk