Wet weather brought an added bonus to Buriton's Chalk Pits Open Day on Saturday 28th April. Whilst some of the planned activities were switched indoors into the village hall, a number of special discoveries were made on the bug hunting expeditions and guided walks.
?We knew that the Buriton Chalk Pits Nature Reserve was home to the rare Cheese Snail? said Tim Speller, Manager of the Queen Elizabeth Country Park who helped to organise the event, ?but we have never found so many on one day before.?
?Cheese snails are very rare in Britain? added Carolyne Haynes, manager of the parish council's Chalk Pits project. ?They are confined to the western end of the South Downs and have only ever been found in a handful of places. This is one of the reasons that this Nature Reserve is so special.?
Scores of villagers took part in the family open day and were enthralled by story-teller Mike O'Leary and by a range of 'hands-on' arts and crafts activities.
Local artists Francesca and Tim Concannon showed visitors a variety of techniques using local chalk materials.
And coppice craftsmen were also on hand to demonstrate other traditional skills.
In recent months a group of volunteers has been formed to help to manage the vegetation on the site and the open day encouraged more people to join.
?The volunteer working group is always fun? explained Abi Peett of the Queen Elizabeth Country Park ?but we are still looking for a few more people to join us.?
?It was a very successful event? said Carolyne Haynes ?and more local people are now familiar with this lovely nature reserve on their doorstep.?
The Buriton project started in 2007 and was awarded a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2010 to fund enhancement works, education and awareness.
Anyone willing to join the group of volunteers who look after the site should contact Abi Peett on 02392 595040.
