On 29/5/25 we had an email from The National Lottery informing us that we were not successful in our application for a grant to build a bird hide.
This grant would also have paid for a machine to cut the Nar Valley Way footpath as the council hardly ever cut it, so it is overgrown most of the summer. We will look into other ways to keep grass cut on the footpath.
Update August 2025: We have decided to keep the footpath cut with our tractor and flail through summer if the council do not cut it. There are several people who can use this equipment, so we should be able to cut the footpath when needed.
Thank you to everyone who filled in our project feedback form which was available at the start of the project proposal. We had a good response with over 93% support for the idea. We also had some genuine concerns, so we adapted the project to take these into account by moving the hide and walks to the other side of the river and upgrading the brushcutter to a more powerful machine.
Project Proposal for Grant (will not go ahead)
To build a bird hide on the Nar Valley Way opposite the fishing lake and plant extra trees to get more birds. To buy a brushcutter to keep the footpath cut as its often overgrown in summer. To encourage nature walks to the bone mill where there would be tea & coffee making facilities and a toilet when the mill is open.
We carried out a bird survey and found a large and unusual variety around the lake, there is a wetland area behind the lake and two branches of the river meet nearby with lots of trees. Water birds, birds of prey and garden birds are seen regularly there. See article listing birds seen with map and pictures of the lake area.
The hide would always be open, with identification charts & chalk board for recording sightings. We'd have bird feeders & insect habitats near the lake to encourage more birds, and signs at the mill showing wildlife seen and more information about the bone mill. The walk would be dog friendly with drinking bowls and dog waste bin.
Access to the walks and hide would be from River Close in Narborough village which backs onto the Nar Valley Way footpath. The hide would be near River Close, the bone mill is a mile downstream and can be seen from the footpath. When the bone mill is open visitors could cross the footbridge to look around and use the facilities.
Various walks on the Nar Valley Way include seeing Tulips in the fields in April. A circular walk comes out by Narborough Church, Marham Fen is just off the circular walk. All walks include seeing the wildflower meadow at the bone mill which flowers June to August. When the mill is open visitors can walk through the meadow. These walks are all still available as they are not affected by the grant.
Bird Survey/Pictures Map Nar Valley Way Wildflower Meadow The Maltings
