A Pearl of a Park

The Butterfly Park's 30th Birthday celebrations at Windsor Close Community Centre

New Ferry Butterfly Park’s 30th Birthday party was held at Windsor Close Community Centre, New Ferry. This venue is where many of the Park activities have been planned. The room was set out cabaret style with nine of the Green Flags awarded to the park being used as tablecloths to colour the place up and as a roll of honour. As well as tea and coffee, there was a good selection of homemade cakes and savoury snacks.

Green Flags from years past used as tablecloths

The inspiration for the Butterfly Park came from the late Mel Roberts, who lived adjacent to the site. His original booklet dated 1991 entitled  “A proposal for the re-development of the old Alma Street Goods Yard at Bebington and New Ferry Station”, and his display boards were on display. Both were used to convince the Cheshire Wildlife Trust to take the Park on board. There was also an opening day programme from 15th July 1995 when Lyndon Harrison, West Cheshire MEP, officially opened the Park.

A display about the history of the Butterfly Park

There was a modern poster display put up by Linda and also a rolling PowerPoint presentation from over the years featuring many celebrations and much cutting of cakes with billhooks! Despite being deeply involved in the Park for a considerable length of time, most attendees learned something new about the Park.

Carol Ramsay’s open day poem of 2014 struck a chord with many, as it is true for every year. Here it is for another airing.

Carol's Reflections on the Butterfly Park Open Day

Well, wow what a really lovely day we've just had.

Now that it's over we're actually quite sad.

Many thanks to the Mayor and also to the Dame, 

to the stall holders and everybody else who came.

A few butterflies were spotted as the weather stayed nice,

and ladybirds and shield bugs as well as woodlice.

People loved pedalling the smoothie bike

and the Barbecue was another big like. 

Green flag rose high, seen by visitors and passersby;

but the newts are now tired; we cannot lie. 

The day is over, the volunteers are all spent, yet we're all 

delighted with how well it went.

Carol Ramsay 2014 

Then Hilary Ash, the longest standing volunteer of those associated with the Park, began the speeches. She first met Mel in June 1991 when Wirral Wildlife hosted a stall at Ness Gardens; who knows what happens when you host a stall? Mel explained about the Alma Street Goods Yard and Hilary was immediately very interested, as the subject of her PhD was developing derelict land for nature conservation purposes. Thirty years on we can see the results of his foresight.

Hilary thanked all those volunteers present, the long-standing volunteers and those who could not make it and remembering those who are no longer with us.

Dr Hilary Ash, giving a speech with Mel's display in background 

Charles Neame, Vice-Chair of Cheshire Wildlife Trust, was invited as guest of honour.  Charles is no stranger to the park as he came on an apple grafting course at the park and successfully grafted an Ecclestone Pippin in 2019. He was one of the guests of honour at the 2024 opening day when the tiles in the brick pillars of the silver jubilee gates were unveiled.  Charles said a few generous words on how the Cheshire Wildlife Trust derived kudos from the work of the volunteers at the Park and declared, “Here is to the Butterfly Park and all who sail in her”, cutting the ceremonial cake, a second brood female white butterfly, with a billhook expertly and accurately straight down the middle.  Charles, you will have to take up hedge laying.

The butterfly birthday cake

Charles Neame, of Cheshire Wildlife Trust, cutting the cake with a billhook - something of a Butterfly Park tradition!

Charles was presented with a large jar of blackberry jam made by Paul and Philippa Loughnane, from blackberries picked at the Park just a few days before. The stocks of jam created from blackberries at the Park are used through the year for ceremonial cakes and workday cakes.

Charles with the jar of homemade blackberry jam

Some of the Butterfly Park committee members with Charles Neame

Formalities over, much chat was enjoyed. There was a great buzz to the room, with the making of re-acquaintances and chance to engage with the larger volunteer team. Hilary led a tour of guests around the perk. Thanks to all who contributed; cakes, savoury snacks, washed and dried dishes and swept the floor at the end leaving the community centre spotless, as ever great Butterfly Park teamwork. Thanks to all the volunteers who have contributed to the success of the park over the last 30 years. If you do visit the park soon, bring a tub down and collected some tasty blackberries, there are loads for wildlife and humans.

Paul Loughnane

Photographs by Paul Loughnane, Hilary Ash and Mike Inger