Quarry open day draws in the crowds

More than six hundred and fifty visitors turned out in force for Sibelco’s quarry open day at Leziate on Saturday 12th October. The company opened the doors to its site near King’s Lynn to give people the chance to see firsthand how silica sand is extracted and processed for use as a raw material in a wide range of everyday products.

A combination of fine weather and a range of activities ensured the day was a firm success with visitors of all ages. “The popularity of the open day exceeded our expectations and we were delighted with the feedback we received,” commented quarry manager, Matthew Clements. “We ran a similar open day last year but Saturday’s event was on a much larger scale in response to local interest.”

In addition to guided tours of the quarry in 4x4 vehicles, younger visitors enjoyed a range of craft-making activities and fairground rides and were also treated to a close-up encounter with some local snakes and frogs courtesy of Norfolk Amphibian and Reptile Group. Several other wildlife groups were on hand to talk about local flora and fauna and to explain the relationship between quarrying and the environment. Visitors were also shown a specially-commissioned film about Wicken North, a former mineral extraction site now restored and home to a diverse range of wildlife.

The day also proved to be a great fundraising opportunity for some of the local community groups and schools supported by Sibelco UK with Leziate Village Hall, Middleton and East Winch Primary Schools all on site with tombolas and raffles.