BEAUTIFUL pieces will be created out of the devastation of the floods this Easter and benefit a local nature reserve.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve lost a large number of trees as a result of the storms, water logged soils and high winds that affected the region.

One of the regular volunteers at the reserve Geoff Knott, a woodturner who exhibits and sells his range of work at craft fairs and art exhibitions throughout the forest, has been working with some of the timber from Blashford Lake’s storm damaged trees. On Easter Sunday from 10am-4pm, he will be at the lakes to demonstrate his skills and answer any questions about woodturning.

He will also be exhibiting and selling items he has made from Blashford, and other local timber, with the proceeds being given to the trust towards further work at Blashford Lakes.

Education officer Jim Day said: “He already volunteers his time both with practical conservation work around the reserve as well as assisting me in the delivery of educational activities with visiting schoolchildren, so I couldn’t believe it when he offered to do this demonstration and sell some of his work on behalf of the wildlife trust as well.

“I have seen Geoff’s handcrafted pieces and they really are beautiful, each one as unique as the tree that it is derived from, so I hope that plenty visitors take advantage of this opportunity to see his work – and, of course, buy them, knowing that not only will they be buying a special piece, but they’ll be supporting the work of the trust as well.”

Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve, in the Avon Valley on the boundary of the New Forest near Ringwood, is a project between Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, New Forest District Council, Sembcorp Bournemouth Water and Wessex Water.

For more information contact 01425 472760, email BlashfordLakes@hiwwt.org.uk, or visit www.hiwwt.org.uk.

Also coming up at Blashford Lakes this Easter is a nature trail on Friday, April 18 anytime from 11am until 3pm, where you can discover spring wildlife on a family trail and complete the challenge for a fairtrade chocolate award.

The cost is £2 per person. To book contact 01425 472760 or blashfordlakes@hiwwt.org.uk.