Gold for Mercia

MERCIA Marina on the Trent & Mersey Canal has achieved a gold David Bellamy Conservation Award for the second year running.

This gold award for 2012/13 comes 12 months after the marina attained the coveted accolade at its first attempt last year. And the award organisers have stated that Mercia Marina has achieved an even higher level of gold than in 2011.

Environment and wildlife.

David Bellamy Conservation Awards are granted to British holiday parks for work they have done to protect or enhance the natural environment and wildlife.

The scheme, which awards bronze, silver and gold accreditations, was co-founded in 1996 by naturalist and broadcaster Professor David Bellamy in partnership with the British Holiday & Home Parks Association.

Further up the ladder

Rufus Bellamy, son of Professor Bellamy and the association's national adviser on conservation and environmental management, enthused:

"I'm happy to say that Mercia Marina has definitely moved further up the gold ladder and has consolidated its position."

Mercia Marina's achievement is even more special given that it opened only as recently as 2008. Since that time, a six-figure sum has been spent on landscaping and conservation projects, such as tree planting and the creation of specific wildlife habitats including a butterfly drift.

All involved

Staff, boaters and local nature enthusiasts are also voluntarily involved in the marina's Wildlife Committee, which was set up last year to co-ordinate on-going conservation plans on the 74 acres marina site and the nearby Trent & Mersey Canal network.

Robert Neff, General Manager of Mercia Marina, stated:

"We've come an awfully long way in the few years we've been operating, so it's fantastic to be recognised in this way. The spirit of the David Bellamy award scheme exactly mirrors our own philosophy about protecting and enhancing our wonderful environment."