Latest news with #FriendsofSaltwellsNatureReserve
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Six local organisations honoured by the King at glittering ceremony
SIX community organisations have been recognised by His Majesty, the King for their contribution to the Dudley borough. The King's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteering groups in the UK, equivalent to an MBE, and is awarded for life. Of the 19 organisations receiving the award across the West Midlands, more than one third were from Dudley. Halesowen in Bloom, Access in Dudley and Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve all received awards, along with We Love Carers, Black Country Mental Health and The Black Country Blokes CIC. Six community organisations have been recognised by His Majesty, the King for their contribution to the Dudley borough (Image: Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve) The awards were presented by the Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands, Derrick Anderson CBE, at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham on Sunday, April 6. Councillor Hilary Bills attended the event and became the first Mayor in the West Midlands to collect an award herself, as she accepted on behalf of Halesowen in Bloom. She said: 'I would like to send my warmest congratulations to all six organisations on receiving such a prestigious accolade from His Majesty the King. 'To have six of the 19 organisations recognised across the whole West Midlands come from our borough is a real testament to the work being done by volunteers here. 'It is a fitting tribute to their dedication and efforts in helping local people.' Chair of Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve, Les Drinkwater, spoke of his delight at the group picking up their award. He said: "We were enormously proud to receive the Award, on behalf of all the volunteers that help to maintain Saltwells National Nature Reserve as the special gem it is in the heart of the community in Dudley borough. "It is an honour for us to play our part in conserving this site of national importance for future generations, but also to welcome in as wide a range of people as possible to enjoy this amazing place, learn a little more about how special it is and benefit from spending time in nature, right on their doorstep. "To be recognised with such a prestigious award is fantastic and I couldn't be more proud."
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nature reserve gets apple trees from leading cider maker
A LEADING cider brand has donated apple trees to aid the restoration of an orchard in a local nature reserve. Thatchers have donated apple trees to Saltwells Nature Reserve as part of its Community Orchard Project. Volunteers from the Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve group planted the trees last weekend (March 15) in the nature reserve's old orchard site that had previously remained unmanaged for over 20 years. The trees planted include a wide range of apple varieties, including the popular eating apple, Katy, and Bramley, a favourite for cooking. It is part of an ongoing project to bring what was the Old Saltwells House site back into the nature reserve as a community space. The trees planted include a wide range of apple varieties (Image: Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve) A spokesperson from the Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve group said: 'Planting this small orchard brings the land back to life, increasing biodiversity and providing a snack not just for our human visitors but insects, birds and animals alike. 'This is one more piece in the puzzle to make the area better for people to visit and to enjoy being outdoors in nature, making a difference to people's wellbeing and improving the environment for the long term.' Fourth generation Thatchers Cider maker, Martin Thatcher, added: 'We are delighted to be donating these apple trees through our Community Orchard Project'. With the new trees, it is hoped the restored orchard will be a longstanding asset to Saltwells Nature Reserve.
