MEMBERS, supporters, volunteers and staff of Cumbria Wildlife Trust celebrated the 40th anniversary of Grubbins Wood Nature Reserve at Arnside last Thursday (June 2).

It has been cared for by the local wildlife charity since 1976 and is special for its yew and Lancastrian whitebeam trees and red wood ants whose nests are at their most northerly location in Britain.

Sadie McGlone, Individual Giving Officer for CWT, said: “CWT is only able to look after Grubbins Wood and its many other nature reserves thanks to the support of members and volunteers like those who came long to help us celebrate today.

"Many of our nature reserves have been purchased with money left to us in people’s wills and we’ve also been given money to help pay for things like walling and fencing, or even to extend nature reserves by purchasing extra land.”

Simon Thomas, who looks after the nature reserve for CWT, showed everyone around and pointed out all the interesting wildlife. Afterwards there was a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’