Norfolk Wildlife Trust is delighted to open the
Simon Aspinall Wildlife Education Centre at
NWT Cley Marshes from Saturday 28 March.
Marking the occasion, CEO Brendan Joyce acknowledged the centre as “a major step forward in Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s aims to raise awareness of the importance of Norfolk’s wildlife, on land and at sea, and to reconnect people with the natural world, encouraging more active interest in its protection and conservation.”
Its aim is to inspire its thousands of visitors with a range of new and exciting events such as
song writing,
meditation,
wildlife workshops and
talks.
Exhibitions begin from 1 April, and
events from 10am on Easter Sunday, with games and crafts for families plus an Easter Egg Hunt. And at 10.30am, a guided walk to look at the birds on the nature reserve. (Booking essential for walk; small cost for both.)
The education centre was built in memory of international naturalist and conservationist, Simon Aspinall, who lived in Cley, and died in 2011 aged 53 from motor neurone disease.
Designed by LSI Architects, the centre has a large multifunction room, which can be easily divided into two. The space incorporates state of the art audio visual equipment, including video wall, surround sound and special effect LED lighting.
Alongside the new building, the Cley visitor complex as a whole has been renovated. A new reception desk has been installed in the main centre to provide a more spacious and welcoming feel. A courtyard and outside deck extends the centre’s celebrated view and provides more space for the public to sit outside.
The thatched Dick Bagnell-Oakley (DBO) building continues in its use as an exhibition space and home for binocular specialists, Cley Spy, now with improved access via a new paved ramp and steps.
Chief Executive of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Brendan Joyce said: “The Cley Marshes Visitor Centre opened in 2007, has proved tremendously successful for NWT, so much so that we needed extra space on site for wildlife education and to tell the story of the evolving landscape and its wildlife.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has visited Cley in the past few months for being so patient with us throughout the construction work and any inconvenience caused. It will be a moment of great excitement and celebration for those of us who have spent nearly four years on its vision, planning and development.
“Dedicated to the memory of ornithologist Simon Aspinall, it marks the start of a new chapter in almost 90 years of the Trust’s history as it brings a brand new programme of cultural and educational events and activities to Cley, which we hope our members, the local community and people new to the wonders of wildlife will enjoy.”
Robyn Llewellyn, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East of England, said: “This project is fantastic for wildlife and visitors alike. The marshes already have an international reputation and this will be strengthened by the work that will now take place, ensuring that even more visitors can enjoy the beauty of the area.”
The centre has been made possible thanks to a donation in Simon’s memory from the Aspinall family, and an appeal launched in July 2012 for its build and for the purchase of land between NWT’s nature reserves Cley Marshes and Salthouse Marshes on the north Norfolk coast. More than £900,000 was donated by members of NWT, the general public, businesses and charitable trusts. Locally, the Geoffrey Watling Charity and the Otter Trust each donated £100,000. And the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded a Heritage Grant of £1.5million to support the project.