Rangers at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve are the proud owners of two brand new bell boats thanks to funding from Alfred McAlpine Capital Projects, the council’s partners in the redevelopment of its Pathfinder House headquarters.

Rangers at the nature reserve will use the new boats, which are nine meters long and have a catamaran design, to benefit, amongst other things, the environmental awareness of young people and river trips along the River Great Ouse for the public and community programmes. The programmes will include litter picks for keeping the countryside and river clean and tidy for all to enjoy.

A group of young people with special needs from Samuel Pepys School helped launch the boats into the sailing lake with the rangers at Paxton Pits Nature reserve along with Councillor Andrew Hansard and Kevin Malle, Area Director for Alfred McAlpine.

Samuel Pepys School, St Neots are regular visitors of the reserve during the school term for wildlife walks, minibeast hunting as well as to help with practical tasks.  They were the first group to take a trip in one of the new boats, which was a real highlight for them and it helped them with team building skills, strength and co-ordination.  This term the group is studying travel so the trip in the bell boat was a chance for them to experience a form of water transport. 

Kevin Mallé, Area Director for Alfred McAlpine said, “The sustainable success of Alfred McAlpine is dependant upon an active involvement with the local communities where we work.  We are committed to behaving in a socially and environmentally friendly manner. The bell boat programme reinforces the responsible community initiatives that Alfred McAlpine supports.  By working with Pat Knight and his team at Huntingdonshire District Council, we have provided a resource to for all to enjoy”.
                              
“We are grateful to Alfred McAlpine for providing the funding for the bell boats. They are ideal for safely transporting people of all ages and ability”, said Pat Knight, Countryside Services Manager.  “We are looking forward to using the boats for events, school visits and river clean ups as well as wildlife surveys along the river.” 
 
For further information about education opportunities using the bell boat and other events and activities organised by Huntingdonshire District Council’s Countryside Service, please contact the rangers on 01480 406795 or 451568.