10 MAY 1946, Page 14

EVERY person who is interested in the Broads should feel

a generous sympathy towards the latest scheme put forward in co-operation by the National Truk and the Norfolk Naturalists' Trust. This Trust, which preserves a dozen or so sanctuaries, almost all in their way unique—Scolt Head, Blakeney, the Cley Marshes, Aldeffen and many more—has lately become owner of the best of all sanctuaries, Hickling Broad, a quite priceless home of rare birds, big and small, from the bittern to the bearded tit, both of which I saw on their nests one rare day some years ago. The two Trusts have now the opportunity of con- trolling not only the whole of Hickling, but the wild and wonderful adjacent marshland owned by Major Buxton, one of our best and most ardent naturalists. Did he not get into trouble, when serving on the League of Nations at Geneva, for using a local fire-escape for the purpose of photographing a honey-b1177ard at its nest? The Pilgrim Trust and some very generous anonymous donors have subscribed a good many thousand pounds towards the fund necessary for the new scope ; but a fat sum is still required. A very large circle of people should be interested enough in the district to help with the purchase money. The National Trust, 42 Queen Anne's Gate, S.W. a, or the Norfolk Naturalists' Trust, Victoria Chambers, Bank Plain, Norwich, are the two addresses to which subscriptions may be sent. It is worth remembering, as both Trusts have something to give as well as to receive, that a single sum of £20 secures a life membership of the National Trust and Lao of the Norfolk Trust. The " Norfolk Broads Appeal " should enjoy a fair passage. It will ensure the preservation of a most English bit of England, incomparable as a sanctuary, for all time.