A VIP Butterfly

Stalls at the New Ferry Butterfly Park 2023 Opening Day

New Ferry Butterfly Park held its 12th Opening Day which marked the start of the 28th season of being open to the public. Despite the drizzle there were 567 guests on the day. They enjoyed the alluring smell of caramelized onions from the BBQ, delicious homemade cakes, a magnificent plant sale, stalls of local talented crafters and children’s craft activities, including making badges and sowing seeds in newspaper pots. It was a first sight for many of the revamped wildlife demonstration garden dedicated to the park’s founder Mel Roberts. There was lots of information and inspiration to get people started on their own wildflower adventure.

Caroline Lancelyn Green in her butterfly scarf, unveiling the new information board.

The guest of honour for the day was Caroline Lancelyn Green. Caroline is a long-term supporter of the Park. She and her family host fundraising garden parties at nearby Poulton Hall from which the park has benefited. The next wildlife fundraising garden party there is Saturday 1st July which, appropriately, is National Meadows Day. Caroline, who is delightfully theatrical, rose to the occasion and came along in a wonderful butterfly scarf which she unfurled to applause.

Caroline came to unveil the latest feature at the park, a new information lectern dedicated to the industrial heritage of the park. This lectern was made possible by a legacy from the late Frank Cottrell, a former chair of Wirral Wildlife and a former Cheshire Wildlife Trust Trustee, combined with donations made in his memory and funding from the Wirral Wildlife. Hilary Ash reading a tribute to Frank and said, “He would be wryly amused to be now part of the history of the park.” It was Frank who persuaded the Cheshire Wildlife Trust to take on New Ferry Butterfly Park. For more on Frank’s substantive contribution see Wirral Wildlife Blog: Frank Cottrell 1922 - 2021. The lectern will be finally installed by the Brick Pit later on in the season during a family and friends’ ceremony.

The plant stall at the Opening Day

After unveiling the display Caroline was presented with a wild pear tree propagated by volunteers from Willaston stock, which she was delighted to accept. Frank’s successor as Wirral Wildlife Chairman, Stephen Ross, gave Caroline a guided tour of the park and the delights of the stalls. Despite a third less guests than last year, slightly more funds were raised due the generosity of those who supported the park and stalls and made it an enjoyable day with a great atmosphere. Thank you everyone who came for supporting the park. We hope you can visit us on a sunny day and appreciate all the butterflies, other insects and wildflowers.

The cakes are just as delicious in the rain!

Paul Loughnane