Latest News

Dozens of people joined bat expert Joyce Gillies for an late night walk on the park on Tuesday evening and yesterday evening. A high proportion of the visitors were children who were very excited to see the bats flying on Berkeley Drive, Sue Ryders' Driveway, the Cinder path and over the Lake. Joyce gave a talk about bats, before leading the walk, and showed examples of live and dead bats. This is the only bookable event organized by the Friends of Cuerden Valley Park which drew in over 30 people on each evening.

Cuerden Valley Park Trust played host to the Lancashire Environment Record Network over the weekend for a 24 hour Bioblitz on the Park, as part of the International year of Biodiversity. Between 10am on Saturday 7th August and 10am on Sunday 8th August an army of volunteers and members of the public found over 800 species of plant and animal life here on Cuerden Valley Park.

The Rangers, "Friends" and Volunteers of Cuerden Valley Park provided parking, information on the Park, portable toilets and refreshment stands for visitors to the Park. There were also a number of information stands set up in the picnic area about moths, butterflies, birds, geology and much more for the public to find out about.

The Park is a haven of biodiversity in the area for all kinds of living things, to find out more please contact the Park Office on 01772 324436.

Seven of our Conservation Volunteers joined Ranger Darren Williams yesterday, to help with the work of relaying a path, which was showing signs of wear and tear. They spent the time cutting back the overgrowth and digging out the old path before laying new edge boards. This is part of the ongoing programme of maintenance work carried out by staff and volunteers on a regular basis.

Cuerden Valley Park has been awarded the prestigious
Green Flag, for a second year, for the quality and high
standard of presentation and management of the Park.
Look out for the new award notices which will be going
up in the display cabinets over the weekend.

Staff and Volunteers work very hard to keep the Park in
good order for the hundreds of thousands of visitors, who
come each year, to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

The North West of England lays claim to a large number
of sites who have been awarded the Green Flag. Link here
to see who else has one.

26 July 2010

Ranger Richard Tanner was joined by Richard Cookson, with his Cuerden Birds of Prey, this morning to hold a Summer Fun activity for Primary School aged children in the Walled Orchard.

Thirty-one children came with their parents and carers to enjoy time with the hawks and owls, play games, draw pictures and make their very own owl. Following the fun and games they visitors then enjoyed a picnic in the Orchard.

Look out for the next Holiday Activity, when we are hunting minibeasts and pond dipping, in the October Half Term holiday. You will need to book your place so you do not miss out on the fun.

Holding our fourth Sunday Farmer's Market deemed to be a success by Marker Organiser Pat Ryan, we had a steady stream of visitors in their hundreds and many traders deemed it to be a good days work. Numbers were down or our first market, probably due to people going on their summer holidays as the children have broken up from school now.

Look out for the next on on Sunday 22 August, the weekend before the Bank Holiday, to enjoy the produce on offer here and the Cuerden Farmers' Market

Ranger Richard Tanner led a group from 2nd Longton Scouts on a Himalayan Balsam Bash in the Park yesterday evening. Around a dozen young men and their leaders spent an hour or so helping to eradicate this invasive species from an area of the Park.

Thirteen people joined Ranger Richard Tanner on a "Cuerden Ramble" yesterday learning more about the Park as they wandered around the paths. Richard has reported that many who joined the walk were interested in joining the Friends of Cuerden Valley Park or becoming Volunteers and helping to keep the Park looking good for the visitors. Follow these links to become a Friend or Volunteer and support the Park.

Thank you to all who emailed us with feedback on the Cuerden Valley Fair in May, The Walton Fox at Bamber Bridge donated a meal voucher to the Park which we then offered as a prize to one lucky person drawn from all those who responded. Our lucky winner is Julie Smitton from Crosby, who was very happy with the news she had won the prize.

The Walton Fox supports the Cuerden Valley Fair, by having the flyers printed for us, and we thank Phil Dodd, the Manager, for all that he does.

Our Conservation Volunteers working party were here on Sunday, helping us to rid the Park of Himalayan Balsam. A group of eight volunteers, including two new recruits, worked with Ranger Darren Williams balsam bashing in the nature reserve behind the lake.

If you are interested in volunteering and joining in on the first Sunday of each month then please click here for the application form.

Cuerden Wildlife Explorers, Watch Group, were in the Park on Saturday with their leader, David Beattie, sweeping with their nets through the bushes and the grass to see what they could find. This group is for children aged between eight and twelve who are interested in exploring the natural world and enjoying activities on Cuerden Valley Park.

Although our Farmers' Market yesterday still drew in many visitors it did not meet the success of the first two held in March and April. Competing with England playing in the World Cup, tennis at Wimbledon and the Grand Prix meant many stalls packed up at lunchtime and the market finished early. The warm weather also meant that many of you would have preferred at trip to the beach or the lakes if you were not watching the sport. The next Market will be on the fourth Sunday in July and hopefully you will be there.

David Beattie led a group of 12 adults and three children on a guided walk around the Park looking for the flowers and butterflies. Whilst the walk was enjoyed by all who came there seemed to be a distinct lack of butterflies on show, although evidence of their presence was determined by the number of caterpillars and eggs seen on the dock leaves and nettles.

Visit our Features Page to see pictures of the annual Cuerden Valley Fair held on Saturday 22 May2010. Link here to take you to the page.

The latest Newsletter from Cuerden Valley Park is now available fore collection from the Barn Visitor Centre on Berkeley Drive. It will also be available on this website from next Friday 4th June.

Yet another incredible event for the Trust with around 40% more people than last year enjoying a great day out at the Cuerden Valley Fair on Saturday. Those who came enjoyed the display given by the trials bike riders over the course laid out by Estate Worker, Joe Brindle, music from Trouble at' Mill in the Walled Orchard and the Leyland Morris Men dancing on the car park. Many people took a horse and carriage ride, tried their hand at origami and weaving. Hundreds of volunteer hours were given by the Friends of Cuerden Valley Park, the Conservation Volunteers and the Trustees of Cuerden Valley Park.

© 2010 Cuerden Valley Park Trust

Park Office, The Barn, Berkeley Drive, Bamber Bridge, Preston PR5 6BY.  Telephone 01772 324436

Cuerden Valley Park Trust is a registered Charity (number 1002888) and a Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 1994107)

 Registered office: 4 Southport Road, Chorley, Lancs. PR7 1LD.

VAT number 636 2831 36