LOCAL people and businesses are rallying round to help the local Wildlife Trust buy Chettisham Meadow near Ely. So far £4,050 has been donated to the trust s appeal fund to pay for the purchase of this unique meadow, which boasts a rare collection of wild

LOCAL people and businesses are rallying round to help the local Wildlife Trust buy Chettisham Meadow near Ely. So far £4,050 has been donated to the trust's appeal fund to pay for the purchase of this unique meadow, which boasts a rare collection of wildflowers, insects and birds.

Linda Marshall, who is coordinating the appeal for the Wildlife Trust says she is delighted by the support so far.

"We have had a terrific response from local people and businesses and we are very grateful for all the donations we have received. Burrows Bookshop and Newsagent kindly donated raffle prizes for the appeal, many local organisations are displaying posters and Little Thetford Primary School collected more than £700 with a fund-raising Big Bug Hunt. However, time is getting short to reach our £18,000 target by October 28, but we are optimistic as we know how much people value their local wildlife and countryside and want to protect it."

Members of the Wildlife Trust's group in Ely have joined forces with the Local Campaign for the Protection of Rural Ely (LCPRE) for a sponsored litter pick. They cleaned up an area of Roswell Pits and at the same time raised more than £200 for the Chettisham Meadow appeal and LCPRE funds.

Members also manned a stall at the Apple Festival in Ely on Saturday.

Martin Baker, Wildlife Trust conservation manager for Cambridgeshire explained: "We are absolutely committed to protecting this special place. We are hoping to raise enough funds to not only buy the meadow and so safeguard its future as a nature reserve forever, but to make it even better for wildlife and local people. In recent years more than 10,000 rare and declining green-winged orchids have been counted at Chettisham Meadow. I hope that everyone will feel able to help with a gift - no matter how small - to save this very special part of our local heritage. Every contribution will make a vital difference."

INFO: There is still time to help the appeal, you can send a donation to: Chettisham Meadow Appeal, The Wildlife Trust, The Manor House, Broad Street, Great Cambourne, Cambridge, CB23 6DH, or call 01954 713543 or visit: www.wildlifebcnp.org to make a donation on line.

If you would like to explore the droves around Chettisham and visit Chettisham Meadow, there will be volunteers at the site on Sunday, meeting at Chettisham Church at 2pm.

Contact: Linda Marshall on 01908 582561

linda.marshall@wildlifebcnp.org

Photo: SUPPLIED