Childrens’ wood workshops and live chainsaw sculpting are part of a public event in Wyndham Park on Saturday 10 June to celebrate completion of the Witham Slea Blue Green Corridor Project.
Wyndham Park’s free family-friendly outdoor event runs from 11am to 3pm and will showcase the programme’s success, with eco-friendly goodie bags as mementoes.
With limited wood workshop places, organiser South Kesteven District Council has urged parents to come early to ensure participation.
The Council has been the lead authority in the project funded by the European Regional Development Fund, working in partnership with North Kesteven District Council, the Environment Agency and National Trust.
The ambitious £1.23m environmental improvement programme has restored and reconnected the rivers and river corridors through the urban reaches of Grantham and Sleaford and included upgrades to paths and increased accessibility for all.
Cllr Rosemary Trollope-Bellew, Chairman of the Witham Slea Partnership Board, said: “We are proud to have been part of such a transformational project to improve important sections of the River Witham and the River Slea.
“Nature and our riverside areas are incredible assets to both towns and an extremely valuable and accessible resource for both residents and visitors.
“Our event is an open invitation for everyone to come along, see what’s been achieved and enjoy a fun day out.”
Key stakeholders and partners are being invited to the June celebration event with a chance for the public to hear more about the projects, split into two areas creating new wildlife-friendly environments for the benefit of local communities.
· Ten projects have been completed along the River Witham running through Grantham, including one at Belton House.
· Four projects have been completed along the River Slea, running through Sleaford.
Both have involved berms installed in the river by volunteers to improve water flow, wildflower planting, hedgerow creation, wildlife habitat improvements, water meadow creation and fishing access.
In Sleaford the work has focused on Lollycocks Field, with community days, new pond scrapes, bulb planting, hedgerow planting and a kingfisher bank created.
A new board walk has also been installed, complete with accessibility ramp, turning circle and fish platform.
In-channel works at The Hub have created water channelling berms with a new bridge at The Nettles, the community-run natural area opposite Lollycocks Field.
