Burstow shows support for Sutton Ecology Centre

11.43.09am GMT Tue 18th Sep 2007

Paul Burstow MP paid a visit to the Ecology Centre in Carshalton to congratulate the Centre on its recent receipt of a national lottery funding award for the improvement of the site over the next two years. The award has enabled the centre to re-vamp its entire two hectare grounds, most of which is a designated nature reserve, and to hire a permanent gardener.

Mr Burstow, who had been instrumental in setting up the Centre in the late 1980s, was delighted that lottery funding had been secured to renew and update the site.

Having previously relied entirely on volunteers to maintain the grounds, the new gardener has made a vast difference- helping local residents with their allotments and teaching volunteers new gardening skills. The Centre has also been lucky enough to have UK Living re-design one of its gardens.

Mr Burstow said "The Ecology Centre is a vital community resource- providing a nature reserve open to all and encouraging volunteers to get involved in gardening. I am glad to see that it has put this new funding award to such good use."

ENDS

Note to editor

The Ecology Centre opened in 1989, the funding and design were led by Paul Burstow when as a Sutton Councillor he chaired the then Environment Committee pioneering a range of green initiatives.