Wildlife haven opens to public (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Wildlife haven opens to public

GREYSTONES Farm in Bourton was officially opened to the public for the first time last week.

People were invited by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, which bought the farm last summer with the help of Lottery funding, to come and see the plans to conserve the 160-acre site's wildlife and create a natural haven for locals to enjoy.

The Trust was also asking people for their views on how the site should develop.

"We want it to be a community asset," said trust spokeswoman Natalie Beecham.

Volunteers were also invited along to help with various projects round the farm, including painting and repair work, hedge-laying and cleaning the farmyards.

"We are hoping to set up a group long-term if people want to get more involved on a regular basis," said Natalie.

"There are a couple of old barns - an old milking barn and a hay barn - that need renovating," she added.

Greystones Farm is a site of special scientific interest, with lowland wet meadow in which orchids flourish. It also has a population of water voles and the trust hopes that eventually otters will return to the section of the River Eye that runs through the site.

"There is a lot of potential to create a real wildlife haven on the doorstep of Bourton," said Natalie.

Further information is available from the Trust on 01452 383333.