SOUTH EAST MEP JOINS AWARD CELEBRATIONS IN LITTLE WITTENHAM

12.53.55pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 25th Jan 2006

Sharon at Little Wittenham Nature Reserve with Steve Gregory, an ecologist from the Northmoor Trust and John Harwood, Chair of the Trustees

On Friday (20th January) Sharon Bowles Liberal Democrat MEP for the South East met representatives from the Northmoor Trust at the Little Wittenham Nature Reserve to celebrate the receipt of a European award for the area's conservation importance.

Sharon Bowles said "I am thrilled that Little Wittenham Nature Reserve has received the official European recognition that it deserves. The Special Area of Conservation (SAC) status is only awarded to the most important wildlife sites in Europe. It is all down to the hard work and dedication of the Northmoor Trust that this has been possible.

"Three generations of my family have had the pleasure of wandering through the reserve. Picnics in Wittenham Clumps were a feature of my childhood and my children enjoyed outings there too. It is no surprise that to us that it has received such an important award for its outstanding beauty, wildlife and historical importance.

"This recognition will guarantee the site's protection, ensuring that both current and future generations can long enjoy it.

"Congratulations, Little Wittenham!"

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