A donation of stone from Mountsorrel Quarry has helped a local wildlife group transform part of a former allotment site into a haven for nature.
The project came about when Hathern Parish Council invited Hathern Wildlife Group to develop and manage an overgrown, rubbish-strewn area of the Shepshed Road allotment site.
Following a clean-up effort, the group set about constructing a pond in the hope that it would attract an array of insects, birds, and animals to the area.
Having dug, lined, and filled the 40-metre circumference hole, the group of volunteers decided that a rocky surround would be an excellent base for a flora and fauna rich habitat.
Although an appeal for unwanted rocks from local resident prompted a generous response, the group was still in need of a hefty donation of stone to make their aquatic dreams come true.
That is where Mountsorrel Quarry stepped in to help. After assessing the group’s needs, the quarry arranged for a large donation of stone to be delivered with the help of the team from A&V Squires, who transported the materials free of charge.
The stone was then wheelbarrowed and moved into position around the pond and the overflow bog garden.
Graham Patient, from Hathern Wildlife Group, said: “We are very grateful to Tarmac for their interest in our project and for their generous support.”
Rob Lees, senior operations manager at Mountsorrel Quarry, said: “It is great to see a local group work so hard to create something for wildlife and the local community to enjoy. We were happy to donate the stone to help complete such a worthwhile project.”
The next task for the group is to naturalise the rocky habitat with some soil infill and appropriate natural planting.
Wildlife development at the site is very much a work in progress. Anyone looking to volunteer or visit the site at Shepshed Road Allotments can join the group on Tuesdays between 10am and 12noon and Sundays between 2 and 4pm.
More information about Hathern Wildlife group can be found here: https://www.naturespot.org.uk/Hathern_Wildlife_Group