Greggs bake gingerbread squirrels to help Hauxley nature reserve

Jul 21 2010 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

“But in the meantime we want people to buy and enjoy the squirrel biscuits, and help our appeal, ” he said.

The trust plans to build a better centre than the one lost to the fire.

He said: “We want it to be a green building which demonstrates sustainable living and is a great place from which people can watch wildlife and where children can study.

“After the fire we felt under attack, but hopefully out of the ashes will come something better.”

Meanwhile Cramlington-based building company Mears has stepped in to help the trust at Hauxley.

The company will be working for the next year on refurbishing council homes at Hadston, near the reserve.

Mears has cleared the site of the burned-out building and is converting and fitting out a disused former brick toilet block on the reserve into a temporary visitor centre.

This will bridge the gap in the 18 months to two years it will take to build a permanent base.

The firm’s efforts will save the trust around £8,000, and the company’s suppliers, City Electrical Factors and builders’ merchants Travis Perkins in Blyth have donated materials for free, while JBT Waste cleared the debris from the site.

“The Hauxley reserve is a lovely site and what happened to the visitor centre was a shame. We were shocked and we wanted to see how we could help,” said Mears branch manager Kevin Morrow.

Mr Pratt added: “The efforts of the companies have made our job so much easier. We have had calls and offers from help from all sides and we have been very pleased with the response.”

Steve Scoffin, the trust’s Druridge Bay development manager, will also be taking part in the Great North Run to raise money for the appeal.

The original £120,000 centre at the 70-acre reserve was built in 2001.