22nd October 2007

Countryside Trust raises over £32,000

“A very productive year” was the overall message of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust (BVCT), who held their Annual General Meeting at Sandhurst Memorial Hall on Tuesday October 16th 2007.

In the past 12 months the BVCT has raised £32,840.14, made significant contributions to several wildlife sites within the Blackwater Valley and now has a membership of 70.

Most of the money came from three generous donations totalling £23,622 made by local company SC Johnson for improvement work at Hawley Meadows near Blackwater. A further £7,873 was received from Hanson Environment Fund (through the Landfill Tax Credit scheme) for a path improvement project at Snaky Lane Community Wildlife Area in Ash. The Trust itself gave £500 to the Moor Green Lakes group for path improvements and also gave the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership £250 towards the cost of organising their increasingly popular ‘Walk the Path weekend, which this year attracted almost 200 people.

Chairman, Dave Pilkington, thanked members for joining the Trust, with specific thanks going to SC Johnson and Hanson Environment Fund for their support over the year. He said:

“This has been a very productive first year for the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust. I hope that more people will want to join and become involved
to ensure that the open spaces we currently have and enjoy in the Valley are protected and improved for future generations.”

Following the AGM, Mr Andrew Colver, of Rushmoor Borough Council gave an interesting and informative talk on the ‘Impact of Climate Change on the Blackwater Valley’. Explaining what Rushmoor Borough Council is doing to minimise the effects of climate change and providing food for thought on what individuals can do. 

Anyone interested in joining the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust, becoming a Trustee, or wanting more information about their work should ring 01252 331353 or visit the website on www.bvct.org.uk.

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This press release was sent out by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership on behalf of the BVC Trust. For more information contact Dave Pilkington on 01276 63762.