Tucked beneath the armpit of junction 31 of the M6 is an unusual place to imagine the development of a wildlife haven and yet this very location somehow adds a steely delight to the budding Brockholes Wetlands Nature Reserve that opened its doors to the public this Easter. The bleak bareness of the site, whilst very clearly touched, carved and flooded in to existence actually lulls your senses with spectacular abstract trickery and simple greenery.
The beauty of the place is found in your imagination as you project the projects future aesthetics and feel momentarily overcome with excitement. The meadow walks are charming as they sweep up and around the landscape capturing flashes of wetlands to one side and the River Ribble on the other. Such paths meander gently in to shadowed woodland, which at this 'blue-bell' time of year, speaks of fairies and fables. Utterly magical.
My sister and I spent over 3 hours there today with our sons (2 boys under 5). They loved the freedom, the exploration and I felt we helped them capture some perfect moment of youth. Free from the over-stimulating trappings of rides, plastic and things that go 'bang'. We saw our children run and laugh, whilst all the time noticing the glimmer of nature about them.
Seamus' particular highlights being the moment he spotted the tadpoles in a small wetland pond and carving out imaginary games of construction on the wooden climbing frames set up with pulleys and lever systems to transport small pebbles with. We would have stayed longer had I captured the chance to make a picnic and if my little one year old nephew had captured more sleep the night before.
The beauty for me was how the reserve reminds you of wildlife. Growing up surrounded by nature in the rolling meadows and hills about the Ribble Valley I have never truly studied the abundance of life with any particular care. Brockholes reminds me of my youth - those heady summer days running through over-grown fields, pressing buttercups under our chins, making daisy chains, chasing butterflies and swimming in lakes. We will certainly be returning to observe the developments, explore the thriving habitats and engage a little more vividly with nature as Brockholes matures.
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