Ten years ago a derelict limestone quarry famed for fossils became a nature reserve and was also designated an official Site of Special Scientific Interest.

While there will be no celebrations of the anniversary, everyone involved in the future of Kirtlington quarry beside the Oxford Canal will quietly carry on with low-key maintenance.

It was more than a decade ago that the future of the quarry became a concern of the late Dr Stuart McKerrow, an eminent geologist at Oxford University, who lived in the village.

He knew the value of ensuring the quarry was not lost because its rocks contained fossils, including a huge Centiosaurus dinosaur that was found in the early part of the last century through the limestone quarrying of the Oxford Portland Cement Company.

Dr McKerrow was also anxious that a site of important flora, including wild bee orchids, should be preserved.

At around the same time, Cherwell District Council was re-thinking its recreational and access to the countryside policies following the sale of its golf course at Chacombe, near Middleton Cheney, in neighbouring Northamptonshire.

Jeremy Sacha, Cherwell's landscape services manager, recalled that one of the first ideas for the use of the golf course money was to establish a kind of linear park based upon the Oxford Canal and River Cherwell between Kidlington and Banbury. The canal and river are beside each other and for some stretches they are one and the same. The idea was to create a series of walks and pocket wildlife parks rather like a necklace along the towpath. But there were a number of objections, principally from an ornithological society that was worried at the likely increase in people would disturb bird sanctuaries," said Jeremy.

So as Dr McKerrow was lobbying over Kirtlington quarry, district councillors changed tack and decided it should become their first nature reserve.

Cherwell took out a lease from the owners Blue Circle Industries, who also ran the quarry at Shipton-on-Cherwell.

In the autumn of 1996 the quarry became the responsibility of the district council and it also gained official status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

For years, local villagers regarded the quarry as a green oasis in their backyard and a few other people knew of the quarry and made visits.

Motorcyclists also used it as an unofficial scrambling track.

So Cherwell had to ensure it was a safer environment for the general public.

Access was and still is from two points along the canal towpath involving a 45-minute walk from the Rock of Gibraltar pub at Enslow and also Mill Lane, Kirtlington.

The district council engaged West Oxfordshire Training Services to undertake the installation of steps, ramps, paths and fencing. A number of interpretation boards were also put into the quarry to help visitors understand the site.

"The organisation, based at Witney, was part of a training scheme and we paid for the materials but not the cost of labour. In fact they were amazingly well-skilled people, many of whom had been employed in agriculture," said Jeremy.

Parish councillors in Kirtlington have been supportive of Cherwell's move, although they had some initial fears about the consequences of opening up the quarry to the public.

"But when they realised we intended to keep everything low-key they were more satisfied with our aims," said Jeremy.

Ann Mowat was parish council chairman covering the period of the setting up of the nature reserve and until she retired only this year.

"I think the quarry has become an asset and a welcome amenity. We do not get swamped with people going there. Schoolchildren and students from Oxford University visit the quarry to study the geology and fossils," said Mrs Mowat.

While maintenance is the responsibility of Cherwell councillors a weather eye is kept on the quarry by members of Kirtlington Wildlife Conservation Society.

Chris Mason, society chairman, explained: "We have helped by having one or two working parties to clear the ragwort and hawthorn scrub and also the litter."

Members have also put up nesting boxes to encourage birds.

So the quarry will continue to be a countryside amenity for residents.

Its worth was explained by Jeremy Sacha: "Cherwell does not have any open heathland or downland and no areas where there are rights to roam. We do not even have a National Trust property within our borders for people to visit."