Last weekend – on a wet and windy Saturday - I joined the members of the Bradbourne Residents’ Association (BRA) and Cllr Irene Collins with one of their regular clean ups of Bradbourne Lakes.
The site was first opened to the public in 1935, having been laid out by Henry Bosville who owned the estate until his death in 1761. For those of you who have not yet visited, the lakes are linked by small waterfalls and sluices and there are several paths that circle through the area. Following a recent survey of the grounds 446 trees were identified, spanning 26 different varieties. These must be protected and looked after.
Unsurprisingly, the site came into its own during the lockdown, when so many people used it for exercise and fresh air. But maintaining this beautiful natural area is complex and expensive, and the work of the BRA has been invaluable in helping to sustain it.
The area is not just important for exercise and recreation but for the environment. It is small areas such as these which help with biodiversity and carbon capture. As a country we have set world leading and ambitious targets. We were the first major economy to pass the NetZero by 2050 commitment as law, at the end of last year the Prime Minister enshrined in law a new target to cut emissions by 75% by 2035. But it is maintenance at a local level of our green spaces which will also be crucial to protecting our environment.
As a community we are exceptionally lucky to have so many unique landscapes on our doorstep and together we must protect them so they can be enjoyed for generations to come.
