A black winged stilt at Frampton Marsh. Picture credit: Stuart Fox
Andrew Simcock completed his RSPB Eastern 400 cycling tour at Frampton Marsh in Lincolnshire on Wednesday, 2nd August. Frampton is one of the reserves that will receive funding from the sponsored ride. To donate please click here.
In some ways, Frampton Marsh has the most impressive visitor facilities of all the RSPB's Eastern reserves. The cafe has huge picture windows with one way glass. Visitors can see straight out on to the marshes beyond without birds knowing they are being observed. It's well worth a visit.
As the Emily Williamson statue design was being displayed a pair of black winged stilts hunted for food right outside the building.
Andrew completed his tour with thirty five hours in the saddle covering 431 miles. He visited all eight RSPB reserves in the East of England. "It was great to be surprised with a celebratory cake created by Jenny, one of the catering team at Frampton"
Jenny's cake in front of the impressive picture windows looking out over Frampton Marsh. Picture credit: Sam Turley RSPB
"I'd like to thank the 138 supporters who have made donations so far ranging from £5 to £500. It was that tremendous backing that kept me going when the riding conditions were less than ideal. The fundraising page will remain open until the end of August so it's not too late to make a donation."
"I've also had great assistance from RSPB staff and volunteers both before and during the trip. A special thanks must also go to Greg, Ann and Joe for their support without which the tour would not have been possible."
Andrew approaches the Royal Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Picture credit: Sam Turley, RSPB
Half the money Andrew raises will go towards vital conservation efforts at the eight RSPB reserves he is visiting on the ride. The other half will go towards funding a permanent statue to the female founder of the UK’s largest nature conservation charity.
To donate to the fundraising campaign please visit Andrew's fundraising page.
Andrew on a training run in Bollington, Cheshire
The Emily Williamson statue will be placed in Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury, Manchester, where Emily lived when she founded the RSPB in 1889.
Cycling 400 miles and visiting eight RSPB nature reserves across six counties Andrew is aiming to raise £5,000.
Andrew’s RSPB Eastern 400 ride took him to eight RSPB reserves in the six counties of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Lincolnshire, beginning 23 July and finishing Wednesday 2 August, He is aiming to raise £5,000 towards the fundraising goal of £100,000 and half of the funds raised with be shared among the RSPB reserves he is visiting.
Eve Shepherd with her winning design
In December 2020 a competition was launched by author and journalist Tessa Boase and Andrew, in partnership with the RSPB, to design a statue of Emily Williamson (1855-1936). The four shortlisted designs were unveiled on the centenary of The Plumage Act (1 July 2021), the RSPB’s first legislation triumph and the result of Emily’s long campaign.
Brighton based sculptor Eve Shepherd’s winning design was then made available as 20 limited edition 40 cm high bronze maquettes which are also for sale as part of the fundraising efforts for the life-sized sculpture of Emily.
To find out more please go to www.emilywilliamsonstatue.com