Artists’ DONATE WORK FOR VITAL WILDFIRE FUNDS

An art auction is being held this month in aid of RSPB Minsmere Wildfire Appeal following the devastating fires at Minsmere and Dunwich Heath.

Staged by artist Nicki Holt (pictured below), it will be held at The Theatre in Framlingham on Saturday 17th October. Nicki says, “All the art is being donated by local artists (including me) who have been very affected by the devastation caused by the fire, and loss of habitats at Minsmere, we want to try and do something to raise funds to help with the restoration.”

It was back in July when RSPB Minsmere and Dunwich Heath was struck by the wildfire. The fire service and RSPB site teams and partners worked tirelessly to contain the blaze and protect local communities and as much precious wildlife as possible.

RSPB Minsmere is a very special place, famed internationally as an iconic site for wildlife conservation. More than 6,000 different animals, plants and fungi have been recorded there – more than on any other RSPB reserve and amongst the highest number of any nature reserve in the UK.

Minsmere’s habitats include four of national conservation priority: reedbeds, lowland wet grassland, shingle vegetation and lowland heath. These habitats support a wide range of bird, plant and invertebrate populations of international conservation importance.

Sadly, the blaze has badly affected Minsmere’s largest area of heathland habitat, which many species thrive on. The total area is approximately 30 hectares, or around 40 football pitches. Rare bird species such as Dartford Warblers, Woodlarks and Nightjars were able to escape the worst of the flames but returned to find their habitat destroyed.

The Minsmere Wldfire Appeal is now underway - they need all the help and this art auction is just one of a number of events staged to help.

The artwork featured in the auction will be available to view on Friday 16th October at 10am - 4pm at The Theatre, 10 Church Street, Framlingham, IP13 9BH. The auction will take place on Saturday 17th October at 2pm.