An evolving wildlife project in Ixworth will be enjoyed by even more people this summer after a councillor donated money for a picnic table and benches.
Robins Copse was bought by the parish council around 30 years ago. Over the years volunteers, which include national butterfly expert Mike Dean, have planted flowers, built a path and developed the nature reserve into a place where people can walk and enjoy spotting wildlife.
Now families and other visitors will soon be able to enjoy picnics at the reserve, after St Edmundsbury Borough Council leader Cllr John Griffith donated £750 for the table and two benches.
Cllr Griffiths, who represents Ixworth, gave the money out of his £2,500 locality budget, available to support community projects in his ward.
“Robins Copse is a valuable wildlife amenity not just for the community of Ixworth, but surrounding villages as well,” Cllr Griffiths said.
“The tables and benches will be in place by the late spring or early summer ready for visitors to relax and enjoy this beautiful, tranquil setting. The improvements to the whole area are a testament to the continuing hard work of volunteers of all ages and I understand that Ixworth Free School pupils may soon be involved in this ongoing community project.”
Parish Cllr Nick Laughton, one of four coordinators of the Robin Copse project said: “There is a plateau close to the free school which is idea for this picnic area as it offers a fantastic view of the rest of the nature reserve.
“Robins Copse is constantly evolving. It is a nice, peaceful sanctuary. There is a lot of wildlife to be seen here. We want to encourage more people to visit the area and we are very grateful to Cllr Griffiths for his support.”
Caption Copse volunteers Mike Dean, Ben Birrell and Nick Laughton, Nikola King Headteacher of Ixworth Free School, Cllr John Griffiths, Matilda Birrell and Ryan Stiff.
