Tree Planting at Dibbinsdale

Planting the small leaved lime. Photo: John Gill

On Saturday 18th November the group planted three trees at Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve to celebrate winning The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. A small leaved lime, a wild pear (grown from a seed from a tree at Willaston) and an oak were planted with the help of Bella Smallthwaite the daughter of committee member Caroline Smallthwaite. We are grateful for the assistance of Ranger Alan Smail and the Friends of Dibbinsdale and the use of a room to celebrate with tea and cake afterwards.

Planting the oak. Photo: John Gill

Planting the pear. Photo: John Gill

Receiving The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

Wirral Wildlife, local group of Cheshire Wildlife Trust, was presented with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mr Mark Blundell, on November 10th at a ceremony at Heswall Hall.

The Commendation and the glass Award. Photo: D. Higginbottom

The Award was created by The Queen in 2002 to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee, recognising excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community. The Queens Award for Voluntary Service is described as the MBE for volunteer groups.

Wirral Wildlife was established to protect and champion wildlife in the Wirral and this award represents the tremendous achievements of everyone in Wirral Wildlife over the last 46 years.

Her Majesty’s Lord- Lieutenant of Merseyside presenting the award.
Photo: R. Ash

About 50 members attended the evening presentation, which was followed by a talk by Sarah Bird about the role of Chester Zoo in conserving UK species of animals and plants.

Of course, no celebration can take place without a cake!

 Photo: D. Higginbottom

Thank you to every volunteer who has worked as part of Wirral Wildlife.

We hope to continue to inspire, inform, educate and encourage people to protect nature in Wirral for many years to come.

Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

Wirral Wildlife has won The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. The official announcement was made by Buckingham Palace on Friday 2nd June.

The award was created by The Queen in 2002 to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee, recognising excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community. The Queens Award for Voluntary Service is described as the MBE for volunteer groups.

Our group was established to protect and champion wildlife in the Wirral and this award represents the tremendous achievements of everyone in Wirral Wildlife over the last 46 years.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust nominated the group to receive the award, which was then judged by an independent assessment committee, chaired by Sir Martyn Lewis CBE. We were told that 'The work your group does for the community was very much admired. The Award represents a tremendous achievement by your organisation. We hope that everyone involved, and particularly your volunteers, feel immensely proud of the recognition that this Award represents'.‘

Sarah Bennett, Area Manager West, at Cheshire Wildlife Trust was delighted to hear the news. “This award reflects how much Wirral Wildlife have achieved to support wildlife across the Wirral. The group’s commitment is truly inspirational and the amount of time each volunteer gives to the work of the group is exceptional. Their support as volunteers is vital to the Trust’s work – from their passion at encouraging others to value wildlife through to their hands-on practical work at our reserves.”

Some of the committee at Cleaver Heath in 2016

Many thanks to Sarah Bennett and Beth Alvey at Cheshire Wildlife Trust who nominated us, and Pete Miller and Ruth Behrend who wrote letters of support.