Passionate volunteers set to feature on BBC Look North following hard work at Spalding area nature reserve
Volunteers who have spent five years creating a haven for nature will be appearing on television tonight to highlight their good work.
Vernatt’s Nature Reserve in Pinchbeck is set to feature on BBC Look North following a visit from presenter and reporter, Jake Zuckerman yesterday (Wednesday).
The hidden gem, which lies near Wardentree Lane Industrial Estate and the busy Pinchbeck road, has been transformed into a tranquil haven for many visitors and will now be getting the ‘recognition it deserves’.
Volunteer Pete Boekestyn said: ” The volunteers have turned it round in five years and we are so proud of it.
“We are very happy that it is getting the recognition it deserves and we want it on telly to highlight the world of good done by all of the volunteers.
“The Vernatt’s is exactly how we want it to be. We have a range of bins, the beautiful peace garden, orchard, bird houses, bug hotels – we just want to see it keep growing and developing now.
“It all started because we were passionate about it and it was in such poor condition, we just had to do something about it.”
Malcolm Biggadike and his eight-year-old Spaniel Sammy have been working on the project since the beginning.
He said: “We are always heading out and collecting rubbish. Me and Sammy have both been doing it for five years with all of the other volunteers. He’s (Sammy) collected more rubbish than any of us could have ever done.
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“Sammy has been a great help, it makes him happy to please people so he enjoys doing it.”
Pete added: “We recently had some vandalism to our benches but that act has seen two acts of kindness come from it as we have received money and sponsors so that we can buy some new ones.
“The new benches will have concrete bases and will be screwed in, so they can’t be removed.”
As well as dog walkers and runners the reserve also sees resident Muntjac Deer, an otter, a range of birds, foxes and squirrels flourishing in the tranquil environment.
This follows Spalding’s appearance on Look North last Thursday when Coun Jan Whitbourn was putting pressure on weatherman Paul Hudson to keep the town on his weather map.
If you are interested in watching, make sure to tune into BBC One Look North: East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire tonight, or catch up on BBC iPlayer.
