Introduction to Hedge Laying

Cheshire Landscape Trust will be running a hedge laying event on Saturday 9th February at Broomheath Plantation in Tarvin. The event will give a basic introduction to this ancient craft. There will be expert tuition on the techniques and traditions of hedge laying and full instruction on the tools and how to use them. The workshop is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a practical event so participants are asked to wear suitable clothing and sturdy footwear. Click here for a map of the location.

This event is being run in partnership with Norton Priory as part of the 'Keeping Traditional Skills Alive' project. Place cost £25 each and are limited to first come, first served. To book a place contact Norton Priory on 01928 569895 or book tickets online.

Introducing Art to the Butterfly Park

Cleaver Heath bracken removal

Cleaver Heath before bracken removal

The January task was to clear bracken that was swamping the regenerating heather and from the 'before' and 'after' photographs below (taken by Anne Litherland) you can see what a grand job the volunteers did.

Cleaver Heath after bracken removal

The next workday is Sunday 3rd February. Meet at the reserve on Oldfield Road, Heswall at 10 a.m.

Map of location

Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended, and volunteers should bring a packed lunch if staying for the whole session, which ends between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Further details from Mike Maher, email or telephone 0151 342 4249.

Prize Quiz deadline

Don't forget that the deadline for submitting entries to our 50th Anniversary Prize Quiz is January 31st.

Download the quiz questions and instructions

Hoylake Beach

Blog readers may have seen or heard press items about the future of the beach at Hoylake, in particular whether the efforts to remove the grass should continue or not. We have put forward the case that the rising beach levels are a natural process, carrying on the accretion in the Dee estuary that has been continuous since the last Ice Age, and is getting increasingly expensive to fight.

Allowing the development of salt marsh and sand dune, as in our Red Rocks nature reserve, would benefit plants, invertebrates and Natterjack toads. It might remove a part of the feeding area for of the waders, so would not be all gain. Can people who live locally, or know the area well, please take the time to read items put up by Hoylake Village Life on the websites below? The Hoylake Village Life people are trying to stimulate a sensible conversation locally about the issue. Please join in the conversation, either on line or at public meetings organised by Hoylake Village Life.

www.hoylakevision.org.uk

www.hoylakevillage.org.uk

www.hoylakejunction.com

Landscape Warden Event

The next Landscape Wardens event will take place on Saturday 19th January in Ellesmere Port. This will be a practical session when we will undertake some tree and hedgerow planting and other conservation tasks. There will also be session with Jeff Clarke on invasive species, which is an increasingly common problem of landscape management throughout Cheshire.

The event will take place at Rivacre Valley Local Nature Reserve in Ellesmere Port. Rivacre Valley LNR has over 400 acres of mixed deciduous woodland and wildflower meadows and follows the course of Rivacre Brook. There are some issues regarding invasive species at Rivacre too. View a map showing the location of Rivacre.

Meet at the Ranger cabin next to the car park at 10 a.m. The event will be concluded by 4 p.m.

The event is free to attend. Lunch and refreshments will be provided so please let me know if you are coming along for catering purposes. Telephone 01928 518018 or email. Please wear suitable clothing including sturdy footwear.

Best wishes,

Katie Lowe

Chief Executive

Cheshire Landscape Trust

A Green Beach at Hoylake?

Wirral Wildlife has responded to Council proposals to save money by cutting back on beach and park maintenance. Our Conservation Officer Hilary Ash was quoted in the Liverpool Echo on 31st December, explaining that cessation of beach spraying would more likely lead to sand dune creation, rather than silting up as at Parkgate.

Hilary can also be heard on Radio Merseyside on Friday 4th January just after 7 a.m. You can listen to the interview for up to a week from broadcast through the Radio Merseyside website, one hour and 8 minutes into the show.