Two of our volunteers with Sir David Attenborough, at the culmination of the HLF project at Cley

December fun thanks to The National Lottery


Monday 04 December, 2017


Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve will be throwing open its doors for free to National Lottery players over the weekend of 16 and 17 December 2017.

Cley Marshes is one of 350 participating National Lottery-funded visitor attractions across the UK in saying ‘thanks’ to people who have raised money for good causes by buying a lottery ticket.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust received support from the Heritage Lottery Fund  of £1.5million, allowing it to deliver a £2.6million education and conservation project in North Norfolk at its flagship nature reserve. NWT purchased 143 acres to reconnect its nature reserves at Cley and Salthouse, and began to restore the habitats for species such as marsh harrier, avocet and bearded tit. The HLF project also resulted in the Simon Aspinall Wildlife Education Centre, which was opened in 2015 by Sir David Attenborough and Ben Garrod, and has established a diverse programme of events and educational activities for families, visitors and local communities that will inspire current and future generations of conservationists on the importance of this area for wildlife. This now includes a whole range of events on site including the Cley Calling Festival.

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “December is a wonderful time to experience the UK’s rich, diverse and exciting heritage, which has been transformed by more than £7bn National Lottery funding since 1994. This is a small gesture of thanks and a way of giving something back to the people who buy tickets.”

The idea is simple: any visitor who presents a National Lottery ticket or scratchcard on 16 and 17 December at the visitor centre at Cley Marshes gets free access to the nature reserve in return. The visitor centre is free to enter, and has a gift shop and café serving light meals and delicious coffee and cake.

Brendan Joyce, Chief Executive of Norfolk Wildlife Trust said: “Thanks to National Lottery players we’ve been able to secure for conservation the last stretch in eight kilometres of coastal nature reserves from Blakeney to Salthouse. We have also welcomed thousands of visitors and local people to wildlife events at our new education centre to inspire people to care about and protect wildlife for the future.

“We hope to see some new faces on 16 and 17 December discovering what makes Cley Marshes so special as we say thank you to National Lottery players.”
NWT
Share this

Top news stories

2024-02-19 Cromer goats join NWT! Cromer goats join NWT!
Monday 19 February, 2024
Twelve rare breed goats are settling into their new life with Norfolk Wildlife Trust after retiring from their conser...
2024-02-09 High-tech cows aid nature cons High-tech cows aid nature conservation at NWT Sweet Briar Marshes
Friday 09 February, 2024
Six rare breed cattle, sporting the latest in grazing technology, have been released at Norfolk Wildlife Trust's ...
2024-02-08 NWT Cley Marshes to host Rober NWT Cley Marshes to host Robert Gillmor retrospective
Thursday 08 February, 2024
Norfolk Wildlife Trust will host a retrospective exhibition of the work of renowned wildlife artist, Robert Gillmor, ...
2024-02-02 Population of UK’s tallest bir Population of UK’s tallest bird hits record-breaking high
Friday 02 February, 2024
Survey results show 2023 was another successful year for the Common Crane, with a record 80 pairs confirmed in the UK...
2024-02-01 National Lottery Heritage Fund National Lottery Heritage Funding to support our new 'Building Foundations for the Future' project
Thursday 01 February, 2024
We are delighted to announce that we have been granted an incredible £241,642 from The National Lottery He...
2024-01-19 UK Government authorises use o UK Government authorises use of bee-killing pesticide for sugar beet
Friday 19 January, 2024
'Emergency' authorisation to use a highly damaging neonicotinoid has today been approved by UK Government, de...
2024-01-04 £210,000 boost for west Norfol £210,000 boost for west Norfolk's wetland wildlife
Thursday 04 January, 2024
Norfolk Wildlife Trust opens the new year with an exciting new project making vital improvements to rare wildlife-ric...
2024-01-04 Our former leader, Brendan Joy Our former leader, Brendan Joyce OBE
Thursday 04 January, 2024
Everyone at Norfolk Wildlife Trust is deeply saddened to hear of the death of former Chief Executive Brendan Joyce OB...
2023-12-08 British Sugar fails to deliver British Sugar fails to deliver on 3-year plan to end use of banned neonicotinoids
Friday 08 December, 2023
Time's up! Minister urged to help sugar farmers go neonic-free and honour ban as deadline approaches to end relia...
2023-12-05 Western Link road planning dec Western Link road planning decision sparks outrage amongst environmental groups
Tuesday 05 December, 2023
Following yesterday’s announcement that Norfolk County Council has given the green light for a planning applica...
2023-11-14 Shared vision revealed for Nor Shared vision revealed for Norwich nature reserve
Tuesday 14 November, 2023
We have revealed the emerging long-term vision for our newest nature reserve Sweet Briar Marshes. Sketches,...
2023-11-06 We've purchased a popular Hick We've purchased a popular Hickling pub!
Monday 06 November, 2023
We have announced that we are the new owners of the Pleasure Boat Inn at Hickling Staithe.  ...