Dr James (Jim) Parrack from Seaton Sluice passed away in March 2020 leaving £33,000 to Northumberland Wildlife Trust with instructions that the money was to be spent on improvements to the wildlife charity’s reserves.

Born at Alston, James spent his first 18 years in the South Tyne Valley where he developed a lifelong interest in natural history. Following his degree and PHD at Kings College, University of Durham Department of Chemistry, he spent several years in industry before teaching chemistry at Bedlington Grammar School.

As well as being member of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, James was a member of the Bamburgh Bird Ringing Group and County Bird Recorder and later became county butterfly and moth recorder.  He spent several years researching and determining the distribution of hoverflies in Northumberland at a time when very little was known about them.

Now, exactly two years since James’s passing, work has been completed at the Trust’s Holywell Pond reserve - just in time for the thousands of visitors heading there to marvel at its resident and visiting wildlife.

The previously weather-beaten and severely vandalised wildlife viewing hide has been totally renovated and now sports a new roof, restored interior wood work and a sturdy metal plate on the door to reduce the risk of further vandalism. In addition, the ramp up to the hide has been replaced to comply to updated UK disability standards.

In addition to the hide, the bird viewing screen brought down by Storm Arwen last November has been replaced.

Situated to the north of Holywell Village, Holywell Pond is haven for birds attracted by its proximity to the coast.  Species of birds include greylag goose, mallard, goldeneye and tufted ducks and green sandpipers.  The grassland supports populations of common spotted and northern marsh orchids.

In May, James’s legacy will enable the Trust’s estates team to install a new pond dipping platform at its Newsham Pond reserve. Popular with the local community, the reserve on the edge of Blyth is a regular breeding spot for swans and ducks.

Speaking about the work, Geoff Dobbins, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Estates Manager says: “With over 60 nature reserves which always need work carried out on them, we never seem to have enough money to see our plans come to fruition which is why Dr Parrack’s support is so amazing.

“Our Holywell Pond and Newsham Pond reserves are so popular with members of the local community and visitors, it is safe to say, his legacy is living on and is will be appreciated by future generations of nature lovers.”