Last updated at 14:49, Friday, 06 November 2009

FRIENDS OF MILLOM IRONWORKS LOCAL NATURE RESERVE

The Friends aim to protect and enhance the natural and historic interest of the Nature Reserve, on the site of the former Millom Ironworks, and provide a place of peaceful enjoyment and learning for local people and for visitors.

Anyone with an interest in the above Aim can apply to the Secretary for further information or to apply for membership which is free.  
Please contact:
Mr. David Friend, Horama House, Borwick Rails, Millom, LA18 4JU
Email: duddonestuary@btinternet.com

The Friends take part in working parties to improve the habitat for wildlife on the site and help conduct surveys of all wildlife, plants, birds, butterflies, naterjack toads, etc.  We would welcome any offer of help or support from all interested members of the community.

The Friends are a member of the Millom Ironworks Local Nature Reserve Management Group. 

The purpose of the Management Group is to advise upon and assist with the management of the Millom Ironworks LNR. The Management Group reports to the Environment Unit, Cumbria County Council and the Environment and Planning Section of Copeland Borough Council.

Group members comprise officers and democratically elected Members from relevant authorities and groups directly involved with the management and support of the site. Maximum representation is as follows:
Friends of the Millom Ironworks LNR 4 members
Cumbria County Council 3 members
Copeland Borough Council 3 members
Natural England, Cumbria Police, the Herpetological Conservation Trust, Millom Town Council, Millom and Haverigg Economic Development Group and Millom School shall each have 1 member. 

Aims
The objectives of the Millom Ironworks LNR Management Group are to:
• maintain and enhance the biodiversity value of Millom Ironworks LNR
• provide safe access, improved interpretation, knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the site for the benefit of the local community.
These aims will be achieved by:
• overseeing the implementation of the Millom Ironworks LNR Management Plan, 2006 - 2010
• monitoring the progress of works in accordance with the Management Plan
• reviewing and refreshing the Management Plan as necessary. 

The Group is currently in the process of applying for grants totalling £52,800.

The purpose of these grants are as follows:

Millom Ironworks Local Nature Reserve is recognised as important for wildlife and local people but it has been rather neglected and subject to some mis-use. The Friends Group is working with the landowners - Cumbria County Council and Copeland Borough Council, Natural England and the Herpetological Conservation Trust to draw up these plans to improve the site for wildlife and people.
The overall aim of the project is to provide a safe and accessible opportunity for local people to enjoy the wildlife and views that the site has to offer. In order to achieve this, we are seeking a Community Spaces grant to implement the following works:
• Creating a circular disabled footpath route
• Measures to prevent vehicle trespass
• Creating a new pond for natterjack toads
• Woodland improvements
• Seasonal interpretation board to give up to date information
• Oral history recordings about industrial heritage
• Involving the schools and prison in implementing and managing the improvements

We are also working with our partners to ensure good future management of the site and in particular Copeland Borough Council to achieve Green Flag Award.

If you do have any comments to make regarding these plans or to do with any matter concerning the Ironworks Nature Reserve, please do feel free to send your views, positive or negative, to the Secretary as above.

If you are in possession of any old photographs, maps or press releases relating to Millom Ironworks and the early days of the Nature Reserve, we would appreciate an opportunity to view such items and possibly copy them, with your permission, to form part of our historical archives.

Thank you for taking the time to read this information.

First published at 17:33, Tuesday, 03 November 2009
Published by http://www.millomlocal.co.uk