A much loved Nottinghamshire nature reserve has hit 60, and is now set to host a special three-day celebration to mark namesake Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, writes Erin McDaid, of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
Last week, on Thursday, April 30, representatives of organisations that have played a key role in the work of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, and more specifically, the history of Attenborough Nature Reserve over the past 60 years gathered — along with the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering — 60 years to the day since Sir David opened the site.
This special event marked our landmark anniversary, celebrated decades of collaboration and the contribution of volunteers and served to launch a year-long celebration of this nationally important and much-loved site.
Sir David Attenborough after opening the new Attenborough Nature Centre. Photo: Mark Lee
Whilst many know that that the reserve was once a sand a gravel quarry, that it is central to the trust’s success and that it has a connection with Sir David Attenborough — few know quite why. The event gave us chance to retell the story and to fill in the gaps.
Essentially, Attenborough Nature Reserve exists because people recognised that nature isn’t a nice to have, it is necessary for our wellbeing. Back in the 1960’s it was proposed that the flooded gravel pits (known locally as ‘The Gravs’), created through sand and gravel extraction, be filed with ash from a new power station to be built at Ratcliffe-on-Soar.
The plan landed at a time when communities across the UK were waking up to the sheer scale of habitat loss, and fledgling Wildlife Trusts were emerging in counties up and down the land.
Attenborough Nature Reserve. Photo: Heather KeetleyDavid Attenborough opening Attenborough Nature Reserve in 1966. Photo: Nottingham GuardianThe Lord Lieutenant, Professor Veronica Pickering, with Paul Wilkinson, chief executive of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, cutting the cake to celebrate Attenborough Nature Reserve’s 60th Anniversary. Photo: Meg McKay
In the face of huge pressure and the momentum behind the power station plan, the community rose up to fight and defeat the plans — and by standing up for what it believed in, they helped to save and shape the unique nature reserve that so many value and benefit from today.
This local battle helped spark the formation of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust in 1963 but far from resting on their laurels, the campaigners kept pushing and just three years later, the former pits were declared a nature reserve and officially opened by David Attenborough (who wasn’t yet Sir David) during ‘National Nature Week’ on April 30, 1966.
This event was the start of a long and fruitful relationship between the reserve and its namesake — an honorary life member of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. While some folks think the reserve is named after Sir David — now known as an eminent wildlife campaigner and a bonafide national treasure — the reality is that his father and grandfather lived nearby and both his family and the reserve take their name from Attenborough village.
Attenborough Nature Reserve. Photo: Mark Dunn PhotographySir David at the opening of Attenborough Nature Centre in 2005. Photo: Neil HoyleAttenborough Nature Reserve.A Kingfisher. Photo: Sean Browne
In 1988, Sir David returned to launch our plans for a centre on the reserve, but it wasn’t until 17 years later, in 2005, he was able to return to open it — regaling visitors of how he discovered his family links with the village while a young boy.
In 2020 he launched the charity’s ‘Lifeline Appeal’ to buy the reserve, so named after Sir David himself referred to the site as “a lifeline to the natural world”. Sir David, who is still President Emeritus of The Wildlife Trusts, has also described the site as “a symbol of hope in a challenging world”.
Our 60th celebration gave us the chance to thank groups involved in the early days of the reserve and to pay tribute to the countless volunteers that have helped shape the reserve down the decades.
This much-loved reserve is nationally important for nature and best known for its birds — with over 250 species recorded — but a staggering 2,500 species of bird, mammals, insect, plants, and other wildlife have been recorded so far. Its location close to both Nottingham and Derby makes it a hugely popular site for people to see, hear and connect with nature.
Attenborough Nature Reserve Visit 1988. Photo: Nottingham Evening PostDog otter and crayfish at Clifton Pond. Photo: Gary BarberAttenborough Nature Reserve. Photo: Richard Rogers
Generations have had their first connection with nature here or made cherished memories with family and friends and to have the reserve’s 60th anniversary so close to Sir David’s 100th birthday is special.
Given the long connection the reserve has with Sir David, we also raised a glass to mark his 100th birthday and as a mark of our affection and gratitude, we are set to host a three day celebration of the reserve and its wildlife — kicking off on his birthday on May 8.
Three days of nature themed activities and events will include the reserve’s first ever otter walks, plus a bat walk, stay and play, pond dipping, optics demonstrations, moth trapping, and talks on orchids and clearwings.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
Details of all the activities taking place this weekend can be found at nottinghamshirewildlife.org/events.
On Saturday, May 9, the reserve will also host Skydancer Day, an annual event organised by Hen Harrier Action — the group having chosen Attenborough Nature Reserve as this year’s venue to mark Sir David’s birthday.