An afternoon of public celebrations is to take place to mark the award of Local Nature Reserve status for Clifton Backies - just over 18 months after it was rescued from years of vandalism in a scheme backed by City of York Council.

Land for the new nature reserve - between Water Lane, Kingsway North and Bootham Stray - was officially handed to a newly-created management board in 2000.

And, on Saturday, May 18, the board will be celebrating the award of Local Nature Reserve status with a series of events.

The events, between 1pm and 3.30pm, are being staged to raise the awareness of the site, celebrate its nature reserve designation, encourage the use of the site in a responsible manner and to encourage people to take an active role in the sites future by becoming involved in a " Friends Group"

The afternoon's free activities for all the family will include: a Cosmos Jugglers show and workshop. face painting. bouncy castle an opportunity to make a take-home bird feeder guided meadow walk. local history display. promotional stalls.

Anyone seeking more information should contact community leisure officer Kim Blavins on 07767 318103.

In 2000 various works on the land including paths, gates and fences were completed.

Ian Bowes, the council's countryside officer, said: "Many people don't realise it but this land supports flower-rich meadows and dense thicket - an important habitat for birds - and we encouraged the launch of the management board to see the area managed properly and used for recreation and education.

"This day of celebrations is designed to raise awareness of the area and an appreciation of all that it has to offer."

Councillor Alan Jones, the council's executive member for leisure and heritage, chair of the Clifton Backies Management Board, said: "This is a very good example of the council working in partnership with local landowners and developers to achieve its recreation and nature conservation aims.

"Clifton Backies has a great diversity of wildlife which the Board would like people to know about and enjoy. Hopefully, next Saturday's events will help to achieve this."

There has been informal access to Clifton Backies, once part of the Clifton Airfield, for many years although the area has suffered some vandalism, tipping and the dumping of stolen cars.

The aim of the management board, working with the council's community leisure team, is to raise the profile of the nature reserve and change the way local people think about it.

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