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Hilary Benn celebrates 25 years of Sandwell Valley RSPB Reserve

News release

Ref: 232/09
Date: 5 October 2009

Sandwell Valley RSPB Reserve marked its 25th anniversary year with a visit today from Environment Secretary Hilary Benn. Mr Benn visited the reserve as part of his one day regional tour of the West Midlands during which he also met people in Frankley, Birmingham who have benefited from Defra’s  £5 million Flood Protection Grant Scheme.

The Sandwell Valley RSPB Reserve, just 6 miles from the Bullring in Birmingham, brings in around 35,000 visitors each year including about 3,000 local school children for activities such as  holiday wildlife clubs and weekly health walks around Forge Mill Lake to moth and bat evenings. During his visit to the nature reserve, the Environment Secretary spoke to Year 5 pupils from the local Hamstead Junior School about their experience.

Hilary Benn said;
“It’s great to see pupils from the local junior school so enthusiastic about learning more about wildlife and their natural environment in such an ideal setting at Sandwell Valley RSPB Reserve today. This would not be possible, if it wasn’t for the hard work of the staff, hundreds of volunteers of RSPB members and local trusts.

“Sites such as this are exactly what my recent announcement to re-wild areas of England is encouraging to make sure we have a network of natural habitats across the country where biodiversity can thrive.”

Mr Benn also spent some time in Frankley, Birmingham to meet community leaders and staff from Birmingham City Council to discuss the council’s flood prevention work and see first-hand how the area has benefited from Defra’s recent award to Birmingham City Council of a £153,900 grant to protect 27 homes from flooding as part of the £5 million Flood Protection Grant Scheme.

Hilary Benn said:
“This has been a great opportunity to see how the flood protection grant is making a real difference to the local people in the Frankley area by making homes more resilient and protected from the damage and destruction that floods can sometimes cause.”

Mr Benn also toured the UK's first commercial showcase for sustainable building products and construction methods at the Wolseley Sustainable Building Center in Royal Leamington Spa. He also visited the Veterinary Laboratories Agency based in Luddington and Ideal for All, a not for profit company and registered charity run by and for disabled people in the borough of Sandwell including their three acre market garden that grows a range of fresh fruit and vegetables for sale to local households.

Notes to editors

  1. The RSPB is the UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and other wildlife, helping to create a better world for us all. The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten the environment. The RSPB are the largest wildlife conservation organisation in Europe with over one million members - www.rspb.org.uk
  1. On the 25 June 2009 Environment Secretary Hilary Benn announced the first round of new grants to help people protect their homes against flooding. The £5 million Flood Protection Grant Scheme was announced as part of the Government’s response to Sir Michael Pitt’s review of the 2007 floods. In the first round of funding, £3 million has been made available to 25 local authorities to protect up to 593 properties across England offering practical flood protection solutions, including air brick covers and door guards. For further information see press release in link - www.defra.gov.uk/news/2009/090625a.htm

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Page published: 5 October 2009