New nature reserve opening between Rugby and Southam

[dutchman]

A new nature reserve will be officially opened this week – named after the man who headed up the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust for many years.



Tasker’s Meadow will be opened on Thursday by Linda Tasker, the widow of the Trust’s former chief executive Andy Tasker. He had spent 30 years working for the Trust when he sadly died in 2012, and was well-regarded by conservationists all over the country.

Tasker’s Meadow comprises two wildflower-rich ‘fields’ sandwiched between the Grand Union canal and an existing reserve at Stockton Cutting between Rugby and Southam, opposite The Boat Inn.

This is a rare habitat for Warwickshire, and it is highly regarded by local naturalists as an outstanding site. It is thought to once have been used in conjunction with the nearby Blue Lias quarries.

It is well known for having a number of rare species, including five species of orchid and some nationally rare butterflies.

Mike Bunney, the Trust’s chair, said: “This really is a superb site and we are very pleased to have been able to save it thanks to a number of important legacies.

“The Trust has decided to name it in honour of Dr Andy Tasker, our former chief executive who died in 2012, in recognition of the major contribution he made to nature conservation during his 30 years with the Trust.

“The Trust would like to thank the following who made this acquisition possible; Miss Lee, the estate of Dr A Tasker, and the staff and board of Middlemarch Environmental Limited who worked with Andy for many years.”

Stephen Trotter, current chief executive of the Trust, which has its headquarters at Brandon Marsh, added: “Sites like these are really important glimpses of what our countryside used to look like but they are extremely vulnerable and can easily be lost to development, fertiliser or reseeding.

“Thanks to our volunteers, members and supporters who have left us a legacy in their wills, the Trust now protects more than 50 per cent of the surviving examples in Warwickshire.”

Mrs Tasker will perform the official opening at 4.30pm.