Monday 29 August 2016

Transition Town West Kirby - September Events



Friday 9th September
7.30 p.m.
Wirral Earth Fest Launch Event with Alastair McIntosh

Alastair McIntosh with a talk on the link between our care for the earth and our own inner lives, and the enduring meaning of St. Bridget in environmental activism. 

Supported by local new-folk band The Kirk Owls and The Storyfest Tellers. Tickets are just £5 and can be picked up at St. Bridgets parish office. Information: 625 4109


Saturday 10th September
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wirral Earth Fest 2016: Spirit of the Earth
St Bridget's Church, Centre and Fields

This community festival includes music, stories and poetry, stalls, food, maypole dancing, craft demonstrations and Eric the Barn Owl. There will also be the opportunity to help paint a banner to celebrate the Festival theme, Spirit of the Earth. TTWK will be joined by Transition Liverpool and Planet Heswall this year. Entry is free, although we welcome donations to help us cover the costs.

Volunteers are always needed to help at the Festival - please email Transition Town West Kirby if you would like to help out.

Wildlife expert and volunteer picks up Green Flag Award


No celebration is complete without a cake. Photo: Richard Ash

In an earlier post we reported the news of Hilary Ash being awarded the Green Flag Volunteer of the Year award. This is the press release related to it:

Hilary played an instrumental role in the redevelopment of the New Ferry Butterfly Park in the Wirral, which is run completely by volunteers, including Hilary.

The park was once under threat and Hilary was one of a number of key players who helped to save this valuable site for wildlife. Working alongside organisations such as Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Wirral Council has led to the regeneration of this urban wildlife gem which is now thriving.

Hilary has introduced training days for park wardens to help improve the warden and visitor experience.

She also holds a variety of training courses at the park including sedge, grass and bee identification. Also Schools and uniform groups visit the park regularly; the park really is a hive of activity.

She promotes the nature reserve to people of all ages and backgrounds, from Rainbows through to professionals, educating and entertaining in equal measures.

Photo: Richard Ash



Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Manager said: “Congratulations to Hilary for winning the Green Flag Award Volunteer of the Year. It is clearly an important park to Hilary but Hilary is also important to the park. It just shows us how vital the role of volunteer is to our parks and green space up and down the country.”

Beth Alvey, Volunteer and Training Manager at Cheshire Wildlife Trust, said: "As a member of our local volunteering group in Wirral Hilary has made an outstanding contribution to our work. Her knowledge of local wildlife is incredible and her enthusiasm and dedication is exemplary. We're really pleased she has been acknowledged in this way – it's a well-deserved award."

Paul Loughnane, Honorary Secretary, New Ferry Butterfly Park, said: “Hilary has been a bedrock of the park from the very beginning and continues to be an inspiration to all our volunteers.  Her dedication, environmental knowledge and sound judgement shine through. 

The surprise presentation of the award at the Park’s annual community BBQ in front of a large assemble of fellow volunteers, visitors and family added greatly in celebrating 21 years of the park being open to the public.  We are all so proud of Hilary’s achievement.  This accolade inspires the volunteers to improve the park even further”.

Friday 26 August 2016

Heritage Walks and Fun Run at River Park
























Saturday 3rd September 2016
Port Sunlight River Park Family Fun Run

A family friendly 1 mile run.

The run starts at Mersey View Picnic Area at 10.30 a.m. Suitable for runners under 16 and families with toddlers and buggies who wish to jog or walk the 1 mile course. Sorry no scooters, please.

Places must be registered in advance. Register online:
or at Bromborough Pool Garden Centre

£2 per person.

For more details contact the Ranger by phone 07857 550060 or by email
























Saturday 3rd September 2016
'Refuse To Recreation' Heritage Walk
1.30 - 3 p.m.

This guided walk led by both Biffa and Autism Together staff, includes the recent and past history of the site, the links with Unilever, Mersey Training ships, Biffa, Prices Candles Works, the Land Trust and the present day management.

Meet at the Dock Road North car park at 1.30 p.m. Booking not needed.


Saturday 10th September 2016

Open Day
10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 noon and 1 p.m.
Guided walk at 2 p.m.


Please contact the ranger, Anne, for further information about either of these events, by phone on 07857 550060 or by email

For details about other Wirral Heritage Open Days see the Visit Wirral website.

Tuesday 16 August 2016

Hilary's Volunteer Of The Year Award
























Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Manager, presented Hilary Ash with the national Green Flag Volunteer of the Year Award. A fitting tribute to her dedication to New Ferry Butterfly Park.

Tuesday 9 August 2016

BBQ at Butterfly Park



















Sunday 14th August

Annual Community BBQ
New Ferry Butterfly Park

12 noon - 4 p.m.

Celebrate the continued success of the park, share a BBQ and enjoy some garden games. 

Bring along a contribution to cook on the BBQ.

Free of charge.

Public transport available - the Park is next to Bebington Train Station. Map of location.

Contact: Paul Loughnane by email or telephone 0151 645 8937.

Monday 8 August 2016

Summer Picnic at the River Park
























Friday 12th August
Summer Picnic
Port Sunlight River Park
10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free craft activities
Refreshments provided by the Friends of Port Sunlight River Park, or bring your own picnic.
Treasure Trail
Raffle

The Liverpool Summer Holiday Bucket List


An oasis of tranquility at New Ferry Butterfly Park 















New Ferry Butterfly Park made it onto the Liverpool Echo's list of 32 things to do this summer. Find it at number 25 - not bad at all!


Sunday 7 August 2016

Putting The Finishing Touches To The Pond












Last Sunday our energetic volunteers finished off the edge of the pond by trimming back the pond liner and laying turf over it.











The floating plants were returned.













More replanting needs to be done around the pond edges but this Sunday it was looking neat and tidy.














Our young visitors can once more have a close look at the newts and other pond creatures.