Spalding's Vernatt's Nature Reserve is a tranquil hidden gem - which is thriving thanks to its team of volunteers

With beautiful birdsong filling the air, squirrels jumping between trees and flowers blooming, it is hard to believe that this nature reserve is so close to the industrial heart of South Holland.

Spalding’s Vernatt’s Nature Reserve lies near the Wardentree Lane Industrial Estate and the busy Pinchbeck Road but visitors feel like they have been transported to the middle of the countryside.

Thanks to the hard work of the Vernatt’s Volunteers, this was former grot spot has been transformed into a haven of activity - for humans and wildlife.

Hundreds of flowers now decorate the Daffodil Walk - which leads to the reserve - and the facility is used and loved by more walkers along with deer and ‘Reliant’ - a resident robin.

A wealth of birds, an otter, a King Fisher along with Muntjac Deer are among the reserve’s residents - who have flourished at the site since the volunteers took over.

One of the volunteers who has transformed the reserve is Pete Boekestyn. He said: “It is an idyll in the middle of industry. So many people don’t know where it is.

“I never thought four years ago a bit of litter picking would turn into this. To me it is unbelievable what can be achieved.

“This wouldn’t have happened without good people.”

The reserve has seen a number of changes in recent years with the creation of a peace garden, community orchard and the improvement of the Daffodil Walk.

South Holland District Council spent £85,000 on transforming the previously muddy and pot holed path.

Every three to four paces daffodil bulbs are sprouting up thanks to a generous donation by Boston Bulbs.

An estimated 30 people gave up their weekends to plant up the donated 500kg of daffodils bulbs last year. Further daffodils were planted around the reserve’s pond by EM Cole Farms.

Vernatt’s Volunteers have also worked in partnership with the district council in looking after the planter at the Pinchbeck Road entrance.

The daffodils will be followed soon by wild flowers and lavender, which has been donated by Hetty’s Herb and Plants, based in Pinchbeck.

Tete-a-tete, donated by Flamingo Flowers, will be providing a carpet of colour within the woodland walk later in the year.

Pete said: “I would like to thank all the business who have supported the reserve, along with Marc Whelan from the council’s assets team and Tony Crofts for the refuse.

“The path has made a difference as people with mobility and push chairs couldn’t enjoy it.”

Bird boxes, donated by members of the community, are found within the trees that line the path and these have proved popular.

Living within the trees is also another popular resident within the reserve - Reliant the Robin, who has been known to feed off some people’s hands.

Pete said: “The occupancy rate of the bird boxes is 40%. When we clear them out you can see how many have been occupied.”

Litter has also been dramatically reduced in the reserve thanks to the efforts of volunteers and an increase in the sponsored bins.

Pete said: “The bins are 96% used and we have got a few bits and bobs.”

The reserve was once used by British Sugar employees as a fishing and shooting ground. The pond has been reclaimed by nature with trees taking over.

While the mounds and concrete base for the old shooting ground remains, this site has become a beautiful meadow.

And here the green fingers of volunteers are helping to create something special for the community.

Debra and Martin Pateman have sculpted a peace garden with a willow fence to provide some cover from the wind.

They were also helping long-standing volunteer Malc Biggadike and the legendary Sammy the spaniel - who is well-known for helping with litter picking - by planting pear and plum trees on Thursday.

These new trees are joining the apples which were planted last year.

Debra said: “We started off planting litter picking because this is the area where we live and wanted to keep it clean. The reserve is a very special place - it is like a baby and needs nurturing.

“The more people that see you looking after the reserve and they want to take care of it.”

Pete sees the community orchard as a project for the future.

'We need more of this in Spalding'

One of the regular volunteers who help to look after reserve says there needs to be more spaces like this in Spalding.

Will White (74) regularly walks his dog along the Daffodil Walk but also turned out to help with the planting.

But he feels that more green space is needed within Spalding.

He said: “We could do with another reserve. Spalding is a big and expanding town but there is no open space for us.”

South Holland District Council has recently purchased land in the Surfleet area to create a wood.