19 - Open day at Seven Sisters mines

 

Wrens Nest National Nature Reserve wardens are holding the open day on December 8 to give people the chance to learn more about Dudley’s people’s millions bid for £50 million of Big Lottery funding. The Black Country Urban Park project is one of four to be decided by a public internet and telephone vote.

 

The open day will run from 10.30am to 3pm and people will get the chance to view the caverns from a viewing area that will be opened up for the event. The nature reserve staff and volunteers from the Friends of the Wrens Nest will supervise the event and give out information and leaflets on the lottery bid.

 

 

“The Wrens Nest wardens are hosting the open day and the public are invited to take a look at the Seven Sisters and to find out more about the project and how their votes can help. I hope people will take this fantastic opportunity to get along to the nature reserve and learn about this exciting bid.”

 

The Dudley aspect of the Black Country bid would see a major visitor and education attraction created at Wren’s Nest National Nature Reserve. The work would include stabilising and refurbishing the Seven Sisters limestone mines and subterranean canal basin.  Visitors will travel underground by boat and rise to the surface by an inclined lift.  A new interpretation centre will explain how 420 million years of geology led to the Black Country becoming the ‘workshop of the world’.

 

Residents are urged to register now and get behind the Black Country bid to win the £50 million Big Lottery Fund. If successful in the ITV vote, the exciting environmental project will reopen the vast caverns and underground canals in Dudley to create one of Europe’s largest underground attractions.

 

Voting on-line starts on November 26 and people can register to vote now by going to www.thepeoples50million.org.uk

 

The Black Country bid will be televised on December 6 and phone lines will be open from December 7 to 10.

 

Parking will be available at Mons Hill College car park, Wrens Hill Road. The event will be sign-posted from the car park.