Old Cricket Field Nature Reserve

The Wolvey "Old Cricket Field" Wetland Reserve was purchased by Wolvey Parish Council in May 2003, and is managed as a Wetland Nature Reserve. Since its acquisition, benches have been placed for the quiet enjoyment of the surroundings. Notices show the diverse flora and fauna to be found throughout the year. During 2008-09, volunteers from the Wolvey Environmental Group constructed a 198metre boardwalk made from recycled plastic which has enabled access for all through the site. An extension of the boardwalk was completed in October 2009 to allow improved access over a small brook to the Woodland Walk. The Old Cricket Field has won acclaim not just from the resident and visiting wildlife, but also by winning the Environmental Projects section of the Warwickshire best Village of the Year Competition 2009 and Gold in the 2009 Rugby in Bloom Environment section. Habitat such as this in increasingly rare and therefore environmental groups such as Warwickshire Wildlife Trust are keen to assist in the management of the reserve.

The construction of the original boardwalk was made possible by the award of grants in 2008 of £10,000 from the BBC Breathing Places Big Lottery Fund and £10,000 from the Rugby Rural Development fund. In 2009 an award of £3762 was made by the  ACRE COMMA fund to construct an extension of the boardwalk to the cattle bridge over a small brook. The Parish Council is grateful to these organisations for making it possible to improve access through the site, so everyone can enjoy the natural environment of the reserve. The grants allowed the purchase the materials but all the labour and skill to construct the boardwalk came from a keen group of local volunteers.