From an article in the The Cambs Times, Friday 22nd Sept 2006. We are grateful to the Cambs Times for permission to post this item on the Welney Website.
 

Celebrity wildlife presenter and naturalist Chris Packham (left) was at a Fenland wildlife trust on Wednesday to officially open its new £3.5m visitor centre. Mr Packham was joined by a host of dignitaries and officials for the event, which marked the opening of the environmentally friendly centre at the Wildfowl and Wetland's Trust's Welney reserve.

The new centre, which took 10 months to build and used some of the latest environmentally friendly techniques, energy saving technology and renewable materials, was opened to the public earlier in the year. It has a range of hi-tech green facilities along with a restaurant, shop, community room and 117 metre footbridge [to the reserve] and purpose built education centre.

Mr Packham, a long-time supporter and friend of WWT, unveiled a commemorative plaque to celebrate the opening of the centre. He said: "It is exciting that such a substantial sum has been raised for this important project. I've been coming to the WWT Welney for years and it is an amazing place. The new ecologically-built building highlights the importance of managing activities and natural resources sustainably, and further underlines WWT's valuable conservation work."

Martin Spray, chief executive of WWT, said: "Welney provides one of the most beautiful and aspiring wildlife spectacles in the UK. This amazing new centre will enable WWT to welcome more visitors to enjoy the experience and to learn about the history of the fens and their wonderful wildlife."

Webmaster's note: rumour has it that the opening ceremony included a considerable amount of bubbly for the guests!

See our pictorial guided tour of the Centre

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