The meeting, held at Attenborough Nature Reserve (ANR) on 21 November 2024, aimed to bring matters of public concern to attention of Nottingham Wildlife Trust (NWT) and to explore possible areas of collaboration.

Beeston Civic (BCS) expressed a need for greater financial transparency, with some members expressing concern over any potential lack of openness’ effects on the reputation NWT. In response, NTW gave some context to their situation:
Post-purchase funding for ANR amounted to some £390K – all of which was ‘ring-fenced ’for ANR and has been spent at ANR.
General condition of bridges and asset fabric is under review and is largely subject to funding
availability.
Specialist advice was sought about the closed‘ Works Bridge’. Whilst ANR had favoured a ‘bund
infill’, a bridge was indicated as the most long-term, cost-effective solution.
Attenborough for All survey had 800+ responses from visitors to the Centre.
Society representatives made recommendations being more open about details of spending might help mitigate confusion among general public about why more fundraising is required now, to pay for bridge work which is long overdue.
Society representatives encouraged NWT to be be more public about how the Works Bridge
solution decision was made.
We touched briefly upon ‘Attenborough Great Park ’ concept, recognising that the disparate
elements of development, infrastructure, and environment do need to coalesce for this to be
successfully realised.


Positive Wildlife Trust initiatives were summarised:
• Reedbed development of 13 hectares
• Water vole project
• Mink control / eradication – £1M species recovery funding.
These all run alongside the 10-year ‘Reserve Management Plan ’(which is not in the public
domain).
Finally, there were many new areas where it was thought the Society and Trust could collaborate in the future, including:
• Access to green spaces
• Projects with schools
• Input to BCS Design Awards judging
• ANR to display BCS material on their screens
BCS ‘nature’ material published on area-targeted newsletters.

Mervyn Brown

BCS Hon. Secretary & Trustee