Friends of Kings Mill Reservoir disbanding after 25 years after dispute over bird feed

Friends of Kings Mill Reservoir announced their decision to disband after a dispute broke out about over whether they were allowed to continue selling bird feed on the site.

Volunteers claim staff at the Nottinghamshire County Council run outdoor activity centre, Mill Adventure Base, which operates within the reservoir - told them they could 'no longer' sell the food.

In a statement, Kate Allen, Secretary at Friends of Kings Mill Reservoir, said: "With a mixture of anger, disappointment and sadness the Friends of the Res have disbanded after a quarter of a century working to improve the reservoir.

"The last straw for us has been the decree from the manager of the Mill Adventure Base, with no consultation, that we can no longer sell the small bags of wheat for feeding the waterbirds.

"These were especially appreciated by the children."

Group members state the money generated by food sales was used by volunteers to help feed birds throughout the winter when natural food sources are limited.

Kings Mill Reservoir is owned by Ashfield District Council and staff worked alongside the volunteers to keep the reservoir, to implement conservation measures, improve wildlife welfare and provide information for visitors.

Andrew Cartwright, who runs the Mill Adventure Base, denies the claim that volunteers were instructed to stop selling bird food.

He said the group had been made aware of a rat problem at the reservoir which the discarded wheat was contributing to.

“We’re disappointed to hear that the Friends of Kings Mill Reservoir volunteer group have decided to disband, as they do great work to help the local area and we’ve worked alongside them on several projects in the past,” he added.

"I’ve had no recent conversation with the group around the issue of sale of bird feed.

"Though, we are working alongside Ashfield District Council, who manage the site to discuss options to reduce rats at the reservoir, and Ashfield District Council are leading liaising with the group to discuss implementing some of these options.

"This is an environmental health issue which the district have responsibility for.

"We’ll continue to support the district to help where practical as we understand this is an area of concern to residents and for the local wildlife."

Despite this, the historic group explained they don't feel appreciated for their work at the Sutton nature reservoir.

"Returning swallows have nowhere to nest as the buildings have been dismantled,” the Friends said.

"Large numbers of trees have gone and hedgerows have been grabbed out or managed within an inch of their lives making them of little use to wildlife and no longer able to act as a barrier for litter, traffic noise and pollution.

"After so much sustained effort over the years, and the tonnes of rubbish cleared from the site, to be treated with disdain is intolerable.

"Regular visitors to the reservoir will understand that it is with great regret that we have taken this decision."

Volunteers will no longer conduct daily litter picks but insist they will continue to feed wild birds for the remainder of winter.