Jimmy Allan, who until his recent move to oversee green open spaces under the control of Colchester City Council, gave Rotarian members, Inner Wheel members, and partners an interesting talk on an innovative Nature Discovery Centre started in 2012, which he managed for a number of years.

Located near Stanford-le-Hope and built on a former landfill site for London refuse with superb views over Mucking Flats (site of special scientific interest) and the Thames Estuary, it has footpaths, bridleways and cycle ways accessing the Nature Park which is also on the Thames Estuary path route. The route extends 27 miles from Tilbury town through to Leigh on Sea. The 120 acres of nature park, which will expand to 845 acres, has been given back to nature and is a tremendous habitat with flora and fauna; great birdwatching; insect watching and ship watching. From the slides shown, the views across the Thames Estuary are stunning, especially from the fully accessible rooftop viewing deck which offers 360 degree views of the Nature Park and Thames.

Our President, Rtn Derek Hutchinson presented Jimmy with a cheque towards the work of the Nature Reserve with thanks for his talk on a site unknown to most of us.