Written 03/11/11

You may have noticed work commencing on the Green this week installing the long-planned for Duck Viewing Platform

The decking will be non-slip and pushchairs and wheelchairs will be able to access straight off the bank without any steps, inclines or alike to manoevre.  The posts and rails will be in Iroko, a West African hardwood, that is used as an alternative to Teak.  Unlike Teak, Iroko comes from sustainable tropical forests and meets with the FSE requirements.  Also the decking comes from Scandinavian forests, again from fully sustainable forests with the same accreditations.  The Iroko will be oiled with special UV properties, so maintenance will be cut down

The structure will measure approx. 4 metres wide x approx 2.5 metres long.  The height will be approx 0.95 m with a bottom kicking rail, a middle rail and a handrail.  Posts will be made of 10cm x 10cm section with rounded tops and the rails will be morticed into the posts for stability!

A benefit to our feathered friends is that the structure will allow Ducks to shelter underneath in bad weather

It is planned to have 2 display boards built on an angle for easy reading (a bit like a lectern) and attached to the main structure, and these will also be made in Iroko.  One will illustrate the types of Ducks, Moor Hens and Gulls that visit or reside on The Green/Brook advising what food they like (apart from bread!).  In the New Year Lighthouse Toys will stock the feed in bags for children to purchase and this will be stated on the display board.  The second display board will have the History of the Brook, written by Mike Mason with reproduced old photographs and show acknowledgements to the Feast Committee and the Red Lion Beer Festival whose donations have enabled the project to become a reality

Cedric Foster, Chairman of the Histon Parish Council Environment Committee and instrumental in bringing this project forward, says: "I have involved many organisations such as the Environment Agency, Cambridgeshire County Council, South Cambs District Council, the RSPB and a freelance Wildllife writer by the name of David Chandler, who lives in the village and used to work for the RSPB.  I hope this new feature at the Brook will be well received by all the residents in Impington and Histon"

Add your comment to this article

<- Newer

Older ->