From left, Rupert Vaughan and Simon Cripps in front of Swallow Barn at the trust’s Kingcombe Centre near Maiden Newton
A Dorset law firm is helping the county’s largest conservation charity to reach out to the public with the latest in a series of substantial donations.
Battens Solicitors, through its charitable trust, has been helping the Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) to nurture its ‘jewel in the crown’ the Kingcombe Centre, near Dorchester.
Previous donations have helped DWT convert an old run-down barn at the 450-acre reserve’s Kingcombe Centre into a modern conference, meeting and events centre. The latest donation, for £5,000, will help further develop the complex, called Swallow Barn, and help upgrade more facilities at Kingcombe.
Rupert Vaughan, head of commercial property at Battens and a trustee of Battens Charitable Trust, handed over the latest donation to DWT chief executive Dr Simon Cripps.
He said: “Dorset Wildlife Trust carries out brilliant work at Kingcombe and across the county. Battens Charitable Trust exists to nurture and support good causes and is proud to have been a long standing supporter of DWT over many years.”
Opening Swallow Barn has given DWT greater capacity to host its many events and activities at the centre, including business breakfasts and meetings, as well as to welcome individuals and groups for away-days and both day and residential courses. This in turn has also freed up space inside the main centre to make it more homely and welcoming as well as expanding the popular café. DWT is set to place a plaque on Swallow Barn in recognition the support of Battens Charitable Trust.
Simon said: “Our sincere thanks go to Battens for their continued and very generous support.
“The Kingcombe and Powerstock nature reserves are some of the finest of their type in the UK. The Kingcombe Centre sits at their heart and is a very special place as the jewel in the crown of our reserves.
“The Battens Charitable Trust’s latest donation will help us attract more people to our varied range of courses and events so that they support, celebrate and connect with the landscape and its wildlife.”
Kingcombe Meadows Nature Reserve is an ancient landscape renowned for its wildflower meadows and pastures. Untouched by modern agricultural methods, it is still farmed sensitively and organically without harmful chemicals by DWT.
Battens Solicitors is a corporate member of DWT.
