Reserve hit by fourth blaze
FIRE DESTROYS ARCHAEOLOGICAL TEAM’S ANGLO-SAXON RECONSTRUCTION BUILDING
THE reconstruction of an Anglosaxon structure has been destroyed in a fourth fire at a nature reserve.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust says the fire happened on Sunday at Skylarks Nature Reserve, off Adbolton Lane, Holme Pierrepont.
It wrecked the medieval-style building constructed as part of a project with Nottinghamshire County Council archaeological team and volunteers.
The traditionally built structure was just one alongside a number of Anglo-saxon buildings on the open area of the nature reserve.
There had previously been fires at the reserve in 2016, 2017 and 2019. These had destroyed a pond–dipping platform, a reconstruction of another Anglo-saxon dwelling, known as a Grubenhaus, as well as a sensory hide.
The latest fire is not believed to have been started deliberately but has been reported to the police by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
Paul Wilkinson, chief executive, said: “The number of incidents affecting our nature reserves and work is increasing and has a real impact on the morale of staff and volunteers after all their hard work.
“These incidents have a high cost, diverting time and money from our work for nature.
“However, it will not defeat our charitable aims to make wildlife and nature accessible to enjoy.
“We ask that visitors are responsible and respectful and to understand the impact any anti-social behaviour has on our wonderful wildlife sites that we kept open for people throughout the pandemic.”
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is asking anyone with information about the latest incident to contact the police on 101, quoting incident number 182.