Rishi has marked the anniversary of Richmond’s landscape guardian by visiting one of its prize assets.
He congratulated Richmondshire Landscape Trust during a visit to Westfields – one of the trust’s six parcels of land in and around the town.
Twenty years ago this month, the Trust took over the management of the land from the former Richmondshire District Council and then raised the £120,000 to purchase it outright.
Rishi met trustees at Westfields to help with a project to erect birdboxes. The boxes have been made by team members at the Richmond-based Just the Job environmental charity and they joined him in helping erect one of the boxes.
Rishi said: “I am proud to be a life member of the Trust and to help mark the anniversary of the Trust’s formation. The work it does to protect and enhance these incredibly-important open spaces around Richmond is so valuable for the flora and fauna and the people who have the opportunity to enjoy the town’s special landscape in perpetuity thanks to its work.”
Jacqui Singleton-Turner, the Trust’s land manager, welcomed Rishi’s visit. She said: “We are so grateful to all those who have participated in the acquisition and ongoing maintenance of these pieces of land which are such a significant part of Richmond's heritage.
“We have enjoyed working with Just the Job and we hope this partnership will continue in the coming months, and we look forward to welcoming new volunteers in all capacities.”
The Trust is a registered charity dedicated to preserving Westfields and the five other parcels of land as public open space whilst increasing biodiversity and providing secure wildlife habitats.
Since 2004 the Trust has repaired and rebuilt drystone walls, renewed all boundary fences, planted trees and hedgerows, established wildflower meadows and installed new accessible gates.
The Trust participates in Countryside Stewardship and is in the sixth year of a Farming and Wildlife Plan to maintain biodiversity and preserve and maintain hedgerows to provide food and shelter for small mammals and overwintering birds.
To mark the anniversary, the Trust is inviting the community to a celebratory coffee morning at Richmond Town Hall this Saturday, November 9 from 9.30am.
Attendees can enjoy a tombola, home baking stall, and raffle, as well as a photographic display by trustee Kerry Dinsdale, showcasing stunning images of the trust’s landscapes
Some of these photographs will be available for purchase to support the Trust’s work.
At 11 am, a short presentation will highlight the trust’s recent achievements and future plans, followed by the cutting of a special anniversary cake.
