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Final Chapter at Lynford Water

Ayton Products long involvement at Lynford Water finally came to an end with the installation of an information board depicting quarrying activities.

Ayton Products, who are part of the May Gurney Group, first commenced quarrying activities at the site in 1994 to support May Gurney’s contract to upgrade the nearby A11 truck road.

During the life of the quarry, which started in 1959, over 1.6 million tonnes of sand and gravel were extracted in support of local infrastructure, housing, agricultural land drainage, as well as specialist earthworks, drainage and pipe bedding and concrete and asphalt for road construction applications.

In 2007 quarrying ceased and the site was fully restored and handed back to the landowner, the Forestry Commission. The restoration scheme included the creation of lakes for bird-watching, new habitats to support wildlife including reed-beds for wading birds, the protection of important floated water meadows and areas for public enjoyment, including a new bird-hide and disabled access walkways around the site.

Over 4000 trees were planted during restoration and in 2008 the site won a prestigious national restoration award from the Quarry Products Association (now the Mineral Products Association).

The idea of a quarrying information board was first discussed in 2009 with the Forestry Commission, who like Ayton Products, were keen to tell visitors how the site was created and restored and how important minerals are to support the local economy in building and maintaining infrastructure. Former mineral workings should not be a blot on the landscape, and that properly restored, can be a real asset and valuable local amenity.

Frances Evershed, Public Information Manager for Forestry Commission England said ‘this is such a valuable local amenity for public enjoyment, and it is important that visitors recognise the biodiversity of the site and it’s many attractions, so I was keen to see a board erected so that visitors can be fully informed’. The board was designed along the lines of similar boards around the site which show information about bird and water wildlife, archaeology and woodland management.

Tony Hipperson, General Manager Ayton Products said ‘we were delighted to support the creation and installation of the quarrying and restoration board as a tribute to my team who worked and restored the quarry to such a high standard; something which visitors can enjoy for years to come’.

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