Due to the recent unforseen flash floods, which has seen the old oast house flooded at the favourite and popular Bough-Beech Wildlife Centre and Nature Reserve, a Kent Wildlife Trust spokesman who runs it explained that due to the flooding of the interior and it’s contents which have been severely damaged by the water, that the official 2009 opening on Saturday March 21^st, will remain closed to the public until further notice.

He also went on to explain that it will have to be assessed by insurance officials first who will then determine what action to take in regard to when the interior may be ready for opening and before it can fully function again

Saturday should have marked the seasonal opening of it’s doors to the vast area of over 45 hectares of lush grounds where hundreds of bird watching enthusiasts, families and children find great delight visiting here to spot the excellent and varied amount of bird and wildlife that congregate around this beautiful part of Kent.

Those eager to visit here for its official opening were bitterly disappointed that their day had been marred by the flooding, it has certainly put a damper on the day’s events when all would have without doubt enjoyed the tranquillity of the area.

For many years the centre has had problems with flooding despite the costly action of the authority that own the area who have endeavoured to channel the water build-up to flow into the near-by Bough-Beech Reservoir and put a halt to the flooding problem within the oast house grounds.

The reservoir and the surrounding area attracts thousands of birds each and every year, with over 60 recorded species that breed here, and it is estimated that some 150 different species of birds flock to this part of Kent, not only to nest but as a part of their spring migration.

The officials at the Wildlife Centre are determined to try and resolve the problems and hope that it will be opened for Easter, as there are scheduled events that will be taking place.