MAY Day celebrations coincided with the launch of a nature reserve yesterday at the Museum of East Anglian Life.The Stowmarket-based museum opened the River Rattlesden nature reserve, a 35-acre site of wetland meadows that has been hidden from view since the attraction opened in 1963.
By Richard Smith
MAY Day celebrations coincided with the launch of a nature reserve yesterday at the Museum of East Anglian Life.
The Stowmarket-based museum opened the River Rattlesden nature reserve, a 35-acre site of wetland meadows that has been hidden from view since the attraction opened in 1963.
The new nature trail allows visitors to have access to nearly 3km of riverside walks and was opened by the Earl of Cranbrook, president of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, followed by a guided walk.
The site was created with a grant from the Suffolk Environmental Trust, the Friends of the Museum of East Anglian Life and from the help of volunteers including prisoners from Hollesley Bay jail, near Woodbridge.
Angus McFadzean, estate manager and architect of the reserve, said: ''Picnic spots have been carefully selected for their tranquillity and beautiful backdrops, allowing visitors to get 'lost in Stowmarket'.
“The creation of the River Rat nature trail is the latest stage in our work to promote nature conservation. We have worked extensively with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust which has led to our newly-planted wildflower meadows being shortlisted for the Flora locale prize for nature conservation.”
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