Environment

Beckford Quarry
The company worked the original site for sand and gravel in carefully planned phases over 30 years, returning areas progressively to the landowner, who undertook further landscaping and tree planting. Reservoirs were created to irrigate fruit trees and to service greenhouses.

The plant area was restored in 1988 and was replaced by an attractive silk mill. The site received an industry restoration award in 1994. The second phase earned the company a further award from the Quarry Products Association in 2002 following restoration to a wildlife reserve. Much of this area was worked below the water table, so forming a basis for today's lake.

The reserve represents one of the largest semi-natural habitats in an intensively farmed area and supports a surprising diversity of species. They include no fewer that 88 different flora species, 40 birds, 13 insects and nine types of butterfly. Habitats range from open water to grassland and woodland. Quarrying has also left a geological exposure of sand cliffs that has earned designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.