Seven people joined with
the Cuerden Walks Leader to enjoy the beauty of the Park
and to help them to get fit and healthy. To join our
walks just come along on the fourth Thursday of the
month and sign up to get fit.
Education Officer, Ruth
Abraham, took ten children down to the valley to look at
the River Lostock and helped them to learn about what
lives in the water. They played river games and dipped
in the river with their nets to see what they could
catch.
Another successful
Cuerden Farmers' Market yesterday brought in the highest
amount of stall money and the second highest revenue
from the tea stall. Visitors to our monthly markets are
coming back to sample the delights of our stallholders
wares month after month. Please continue to support this
venture and bring much needed revenue into the Park.
Voting for the Cuerden
Valley Park Trust Project is now finished and we
anxiously await the results. Many thanks to all those
who took the time to register and vote for us. Watch
this space and we will let you know if we were
successful.
This coming Sunday 23rd
October will be our eighteenth Farmers' Market which has
evolved from the first one in March 2010. We have our
regular participants in Bowland Pork and Savin Hill Lamb
alongside some new ones. This month we have Coffee Bean
and Tea Leaf for those who love to make that special
blend as well as an abundance of food and craft stalls.
The Market opens at 10am and the parking is free so why
not come along and see what you can find.
Many thanks to the
people who have voted for our project on the NatWest
Community Force Website. There are only six days left so
if you haven't voted yet then we hope you will do so
this week. We have over 70 votes but we will need many
more to secure some much needed funding for the Park. We
are very grateful for all the support we receive in the
local community so please follow this
link and vote now.
Cuerden Watch Group were
on the Park on Saturday with their leader, David
Beattie, collecting the seed which are now dropping from
the trees now that autumn is here. The children then
planted the seed into pots to grow over the winter ready
to plant out in the spring.
Cuerden Valley Park Trust
has entered a project to obtain NatWest Community Force
funding towards building a facilities/toilet block on
the Park. Please help us by registering and voting for
our project using this
link to view our project, you will need to
log back in after you receive an email to confirm your
registration and the project you are voting for is
simply called "Cuerden Valley Park Trust". Winners will
receive up to £8,000 towards their project and if we are
successful this will allow us to hold many more events
on the Park.
Conservation Volunteers
joined ranger Mike Tattersall yesterday, to begin the
autumn/winter programmes of cutting back and thinning
out on the "scramble track", those of you who will
remember the days before the M65 motorway will have
enjoyed the motorcycle scrambling on the Park. Sadly the
motorway has cut off that area of the Park and the Trust
planted trees and shrubbery to shield the area and now
with regular cutting back it is developing into a great
nature area.
The Cuerden Valley Park
2012 Calendar is now on sale at The Barn, Berkeley
Drive, Monday to Friday nine to five and on a Sunday
afternoon, also available at the Farmers Market on the fourth Sunday
of the month and by post from the Park Office. The price
is £4 each to collect or £4.50 each by post. The calendar is
made up of photographs of the Park taken by the winning
entrants and runners up in the recent photography
competition.
Our new Market Organiser,
Susan Marsden, had her baptism of fire today as she set
about organising and getting to know the stall holders
with the help of Park Manager, Jim Longbottom. Thanks to
our stalwart team of Volunteers the day was a success
and even though the visitor numbers were down a little
the teas stall in the Barn had the best takings since
the Market started in March 2010.
Ten adults and two
children joined fungi expert Irene Ridge and Friends
Committee member David Beattie and a walk in the park
seeking out the many varieties of fungus found here.
Then back to the Barn for a well earned cup of tea.
Four people enjoyed a
healthy walk in the Park with Walk Leader, David Beattie
today. If you would like to join us on an organised walk
in the Park on a Tuesday from the Clayton Green Leisure
Centre or on the third Thursday from the Barn on
Berkeley Drive, then please feel free to come along.
Peter Welsh, one of our
Volunteers, ran an activity on tying knots yesterday.
Nine people came along to learn how different knots are
tied and what their uses are.
David Beattie was in the
Park on Saturday morning with the Cuerden Watch Group to
look at small mammals. The children had a close up of
some field mice found on the Park and some gerbils
brought in by one of the participants.
The Friends of Cuerden
Valley Park have been opening the Visitor Centre, in the
Barn, on a Sunday afternoon from 12noon until 4pm. Many
people visiting the Park have come in to take advantage
of this facility to find out more about the Park, to
have a cup of tea or coffee and to use the toilet
facilities.
The success of the
operation has led to them agreeing to continue the
facility through the autumn months. If you are visiting
the Park this Sunday why not drop in and support their
efforts, with disabled toilets and baby changing
facilities, the Barn is open to everyone.
Six Conservation
Volunteers joined Ranger Mike Tattersall yesterday for a
day of raking the meadows at Kem Mill. To register as a
volunteer to come on the first Sunday of the month and
help with projects like this on the Park then complete
the application form
and return it to the Park Office, we will let you know
what we are doing and where to meet during the week.
Another successful
Farmers' Market was held yesterday with both stall
holders and visitors enjoying the event. In spite of the
rain showers it was another good fundraising day for the
Trust and the Friends.
Only four people can to
take part in our Health Walk this week, led by Education
Officer, Ruth Abraham. Health Walks on the Park take
place on a Tuesday from the Clayton Green Leisure Centre
and on the forth Thursday from the Barn. Walks last
around forty minutes and are followed by a chance to
enjoy refreshments and a chance to socialise afterwards.
The second of our Bat
Walks took place yesterday evening, with Joyce Gillies
taking another group of twenty-one adults and ten
children, along with David Beattie and Ranger Mike Tattersall. This time David tuned
his bat detector into the Noctule bats
down by the lake. Being a fine evening the bats were out
again in good numbers with Pipistrelle and Daubentons
giving a good display.
Nineteen children and
their parents joined our Education Officer, Ruth
Abraham, this morning for a fun filled morning. Teddy
bears were in evidence as the children transformed them
into fairy princesses and pirates, there was even a
dinosaur. There were lots of games and craft activities
for the children to join in with.
The dry weather held out
so that the children could enjoy their "Teddy Bears"
picnic after all fun and games.
Bat expert, Joyce Gillies
gave a talk yesterday evening to a group of over thirty
adults and children and then took them out onto the Park
to listen to and see the bats.
There are several species
of bat to be found on the Park and with one of the
special detectors you can find them. We have pipistrelle
bats around Berkeley Drive and the Sue Ryder home and
daubenton bats down near the lake.
Ten of our Conservation
Volunteers met with Ranger Mike Tattersall yesterday to
rake off the grass, around School Covert Pond, following
the mowing. Conservation Volunteers meet on the first
Sunday in the month to carry out practical projects on
the Park.
Cuerden Valley Park has
received a certificate from netmums.com, today, we have
been voted as one of the members favourite free places
to go in South West Lancashire. The Bronze award put us
in third place behind Withy Grove Park and Worden Park.
Many thanks to all the mums who voted for us and it is
good to know that our Park is enjoyed by families from
around the area.
We had half a dozen of
our regular walkers joining Volunteer Health Walks
leaders, David Beattie and Maureen Hesmondalgh on a walk
in the sunshine today. The Clayton Green Sports Centre
is now running a walk every week on a Tuesday as well so
there is plenty of opportunity to join in an get fit.
According to Friends
Membership Secretary, Michael Swarbrick there were fewer
visitors to this month's Market but the atmosphere was
still friendly and helpful. With it being the first week
of the children's school holidays we can put this down
to family's taking their summer break. We had the same
effect last year and are confident things will pick up
again in the autumn.
Many thanks to all of you
who gave us your email address at the Cuerden Valley
Fair in May and were kind enough to give us your
feedback on the event. Emma Roberts from Maypark, Bamber
Bridge collected her voucher for a meal at the Walton
Fox, supplied by the Manager Phil Dodd, who supports the
event.
Everyone who gave us
feedback said they would definitely, probably or
possibly come next year, with nobody saying they would
not. The most popular attractions were the Craft Stalls,
the Food Stalls and the Falconry.
Ex-Ranger Richard Tanner
returned to the Park yesterday afternoon to take a group
of people on a Friends of Cuerden Valley Park activity.
Teaching the participants about Basic Tree
Identification meant that those taking part could
recognise the leaves, bark and other characteristics of
the varieties trees on the Park.
On Saturday the Cuerden
Watch Group, led by David Beattie, were the latest group
to help with the "Balsam Bashing" on the Park. The group
is open to children aged 8 - 13 years old who have an
interest in wildlife and the environment.
The past couple of weeks
have seen a number of Lancashire Primary Schools
visiting the Park to take part in our Outdoor Victorian
Education Programme. Children come dressed in Victorian
costume to take part in an apprentice day and then apply
for a position on the estate. Lady Catherine Townley
Parker (alias Ruth Abraham) divides them into four
groups and throughout the day they take part in
gardening, charcoal burning and ice cream making, the
children go to meet the gamekeeper but are pounced on by
the poacher who shows them how he catches game on the
estate to feed his family.
Eight Conservation
Volunteers joined our new Ranger, Mike Tattersall, for a
day of balsam bashing, helping to clear more of this
invasive species from the Park. The Post Adoption group
were also here for a picnic and some games with the
Education Officer, Ruth Abraham. Medicine and Chernobyl
came in the afternoon for their annual duck race which they
always hold here on the Park.
Community groups are
always welcome on the Park, to help with conservation
projects like the eradication of Himalayan Balsam,
organised activities with a member of staff for a small
donation or self organised activities which can be
booked with the Park Manager, Jim Longbottom.
26 June 2011
Monthly Market
Fewer people attended the
market this month but traders were happy, as all the
visitors were spending their money on the variety of
food and craft stalls here. BBC Radio Lancashire did a
telephone interview with the Park Manager, Jim
Longbottom, and the cookery demonstration went down a
treat with the crowds.
23 June 2011
New Walkers Join In
Health Walks Leader,
Maureen Hesmondalgh, took out the seven walkers in the
Park including two new ones. The went down through the
Pineatum, along the main path and up to the lake before
returning via cock cabin wood and the cinder path.
Coming back to the Barn for coffee and socialising to
finish off the morning and although it was damp there
was no heavy rain to spoil the day.
13 June 2011
Rainy Sunday Afternoon
In spite of the inclement
weather six people came to join in on our Wildflower
Walk in the Park, yesterday afternoon, led by flower
expert John Lamb, from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust.
Also our first venture
into opening the Visitor Centre at the weekend got of to
a slow start due to the weather. the Friends of Cuerden
Valley Park will be opening the Visitor Centre from
12-4pm, on a Sunday afternoon, for the next few weeks to
see if visitors will appreciate it, there are disabled
toilets and baby changing facilities as well as a chance
for refreshments and of course shelter from our summer
weather, be it too hot, too cold or too wet.
7 June 2011
Featuring the Fair
Link here to our
Features Page to
revisit the delights of your great day out at the
Cuerden Valley Fair on Saturday 21st May or if you were
not able to come then see just what you missed. The
Cuerden Valley Fair is now a popular event in the local
calendar and continues to draw new exhibitors and
visitors each year.
5 June 2011
The Bashing Has Begun
Seven Conservation
Volunteers joined with Ranger Joe Brindle to start our
annual season of Balsam Bashing. This invasive species
will grow rampant in our woodlands and pathways if we do
not strive to keep it under control, it takes years of
constant pulling and destroying to rid an area of this
pest. If you wish to bring along a group to help with
this work then contact the Park Office on 01772 324436.
4 June 2011
Watch Out For The Bees

On Saturday the Cuerden
Watch group had a great time learning about bees and,
adequately protected, looked closely at some honey bees.
2 June 2011
Who's Up for a Bug Hunt
Seventeen children and
their parents joined our Education Office, Ruth Abraham,
for a minibeast hunt in the woodlands, lots of woodlice
and a toad made for a fascinating morning of discovery.
Children's activities are held during each school
holiday so if you are looking for something to do with
your little ones why not bring along your picnic and
teddy on the 22nd August.
31 May 2011
No Longer a Lone Ranger
We welcome a new Ranger,
Michael Tattersall, who joined the team today and will
now be helping Ranger Joe Brindle and Park Manager, Jim
Longbottom, with the day to day maintenance of the Park,
along with our team of dedicated volunteers.
26 May 2011
A Healthy Place to Be
Four people joined health
walks leader Maureen and back marker Ruth on a walk in
the Park this morning, in spite of the rain, and
afterwards for refreshments at the Barn. If you are
interested in joining us on the fourth Thursday in the
month then please contact the Park Office on 01772
324436.
22 May 2011
Fair a Hit with Locals
In spite of a cool start
and the threat of rain in the afternoon, the Cuerden
Valley Fair continues to be popular with the local
people. Between 2,500 and 3,000 people came to enjoy the
entertainment and activities on the day. Feedback from
stall holders, volunteers and visitors was all positive
and we would like to thank everyone who took part.
1 May 2011
Up Early with the Birds
Around a dozen people got
up early this morning to walk around the Park with David
Beattie, listening to the early morning dawn chorus.
Back at the Barn there was a welcome of bacon butties
made by volunteer Dave Weeden, a retired chef.
28 April 2011
Cuerden Walks for Health
Education Officer Ruth
Abraham led her first Health Walk on the Park today and
was joined in the sunshine by seven walker who enjoyed
the outing very much. If you would like to join us then
come along to the Barn on Berkeley Drive on the fourth
Thursday in the month, alternatively you can walk from
the Clayton Green Sports Centre on the second Tuesday.
26 April 2011
Cuerden Valley Fair
In a little over three
weeks the Park will be holding it's sixth annual Fair
and each year it is getting bigger and better. For more
information about what to expect on the day then link
here to
our advertisement.
26 April2011
Happy Easter Weekend
The sunny Easter weekend
brought visitors flocking to the Park to enjoy the
beautiful surroundings for walks, picnics, fishing and
games. The Farmers' Market on Sunday drew more people
than expected, as this is a time when many families are
away. With another four day Bank Holiday weekend
looming the Park looks set for another busy one.
21 April2011
Easter Fun
Twenty-eight children and
their parents enjoyed an Easter Activity in the Walled
Orchard today. With things for the children to make,
quizzes, egg hunts and games, a good time was had by
all, in the continuing unseasonably warm weather.
18 April2011
Chairman Elected
The Board of Trustees of
Cuerden Valley Park held an Extraordinary General
Meeting this evening to elect a new Chairman. John
Stainton from Bamber Bridge, who joined the board last
year, was unanimously voted into the position of
Chairman. Many thanks to Vice-Chairman, Greg Smith, who
stepped into the chair in the interim period, following
the sad loss of our previous Chairman, John Ascroft, in
February.
18 April2011
Pictures Page Update
Visit our Pictures Page
to see what has been happening on the Park over the past
few months. Link here
to see them.
13 April2011
Geology of the Park
Twenty-two people came to
the Friends of Cuerden Valley Park event yesterday
evening. Keith Williams from GeoLancashire gave an
illustrated talk on the Geology of the Park and how the
valley came to be the way it is. Many of the attendees
were interested in seeing the evidence on the ground so
look out for next year's programme in the Summer we hope
to have Keith back to do a walk through the Park looking
at the shape of the valley.
11 April2011
Spring Weekend
Hundreds of people came
to the Cuerden Valley this weekend to enjoy the unseasonable sunny
weather. Having walks, cycle rides, picnics and fun and games in the main
picnic area, along the River Lostock and in other areas
of the Park. Unfortunately the weather has returned to
it's norm for this time of year but we are hoping that
it will revive for our two big events in May, the Beer
Festival and the Cuerden Valley Fair
11 April2011
Spring Flower Watch
Cuerden Explorers Watch
group were on the Park on Saturday with watch leader,
David Beattie. Twelve children and eight parents joined
in a hunt for wild flowers and played games. The Group
is open to children aged between 8 and 13 years and has
activities on the Park each month on an environmental
theme.
06 April 2011
Cuerden Valley Fair
In a little over six
weeks the Park will be holding it's sixth annual Fair
and each year it is getting bigger and better. For more
information about what to expect on the day then link
here to
our advertisement.
05 April2011
Lambing is over
Our seventeen ewes have
now finished giving birth to twenty rams lambs and
eleven ewe lambs. One orphan lamb was being hand reared
by Ranger Joe Brindle at his home over the past couple
of weeks, with four hourly bottle feeds during the day
it is quite time consuming, and the lamb is due to be
introduced back into the flock this week.
04 April 2011
Messing about in the River

Fifteen Conservation
Volunteers joined Park Manager, Jim Longbottom,
yesterday to cut back willow along the banks and clear
rubbish from the River Lostock. Split into small teams
they worked away helping to keep the river flowing
smoothly along and preventing damage to the banks.
Everyone got a bit wet but for one unlucky volunteer who
lost their balance it was quite a soaking, we are very
grateful for all the volunteers who give up their free
time to help us with projects like this one.
31 March 2011
Farewell to the Rangers
During the past week the
Trust has said goodbye to two Rangers, with Richard
Tanner leaving for a position with the National Trust in
Cumbria and Darren Williams moving abroad to Yorkshire.
They will both be missed and we wish them good luck in
the future.
28 March 2011
Market Anniversary
The popular Cuerden
Valley Park Farmers' Market was held yesterday and it is
a year since we started this new fundraising venture.
Many thanks to volunteer Market Organiser, Pat Ryan, for
all his hard work in booking and organising the stalls.
Also a big thanks you to all the volunteers who come and
support us on the day. In the sunshine a horde of
visitors enjoyed the delight and made purchases at the
Market so make sure you do not miss the next one on
Sunday 24 April.
24 March 2011
Walking in the Sunshine
Six people joined Walk
Leader, Lesley Russell, and back marker, Maureen
Hesmondalgh, on the Health Walk today and enjoyed the
one hour walk in the Park, we passed Education Officer
Ruth Abraham and her Volunteers who were with a school
in the River Lostock enjoying the Park's Education
Programme. Walking around Cock Cabin Pond we saw the
frogs and frog spawn more evidence that spring is here.
Finally we returned to the Barn for some welcome
refreshments and a chance to socialise.
24 March 2011
Lambing Well

Lambs are being born on
practically a daily basis now as our Jacob ewes become
mothers again. Nine mothers have produced seventeen
lambs with all but one having twins to raise. The
majority this year are ram lambs and a few more ewes
have still to produce their offspring. These ewes and
lambs will help with the meadow management in the park
over the summer and the lambs will go to market in the
autumn and winter months.
16 March 2011
Friends go Fishing
Fifteen people came
yesterday evening to listen to an illustrated talk on
Fish, given by Lee Preston of the Environment Agency.
Park Manager, Jim Longbottom, was on hand to give the
visitors an update of what has been happening on the
Park.
The next event will be on
Tuesday 12 April when you will have an opportunity to
hear about the Geology of the Park and learn more about
how the valley came into being.
14 March 2011
Farewell to John
Staff, Trustees and
Friends of Cuerden Valley Park attended the funeral of
their Chairman, John Ascroft, this afternoon. The
beautiful St John the Baptist church at Broughton was
the venue which brought together so many of his friends
in support of his family at this sad time.
8 March 2011
A Sad Day for the Park
Our new Chairman, John
Ascroft, who was elected to the post at the AGM last
October, has sadly passed away today. He will be greatly
missed by those who knew him from his regular walks on
the Park. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to his family and
friends.
6 March 2011
Volunteers in the Trees

Ranger Richard Tanner
took out our group of thirteen Conservation Volunteers
today where they carried on with the thinning out of the
trees on the Scramble Track as part of our woodland
management programme. This task has now been finished so
next month they volunteers will move onto another area.
5 March 2011
Watching Like a Hawk

Richard Cookson, from
Cuerden Birds of Prey came along to the Cuerden Watch
Group today, where Watch Leader, David Beattie, had his
group of 8 - 13 year olds. There were 12 children and 7
parents staying. All the children had the chance to hold
an owl. Richard then flew the Barn Owl, Buzzard, Harris
Hawk and finally one of the falcons. The picture is of
the Barn Owl landing on a Watch member's arm the just
sitting there.
1 March 2011
New Education Programmes

Education Officer, Ruth
Abraham, invited Clayton le Woods C of E Primary School
to come to the Park yesterday for a free trial run on
the two new Education Programmes, Cuerden Creature
Creation and Owl-tastic. The children created a monster
in the woods using natural materials and learned about
the environment in the morning and after lunch they were
joined by Richard Cookson from Cuerden Birds of Prey,
where pupils handled and learned more about the native
hawks and owls. Schools can find out more about these
exciting new programmes and how to book by visiting our
Education/Schools and Colleges page.
28 February 2011
Fair Taking Shape
The organisation of the
2011 Cuerden is now well under way with many of your
favourite stand and attractions booked in on 21 May. The
Walton Fox are supporting us again this year so be sure
to visit them on the South Rings Business Park, next
door to the hotel. Taylors Hog Roast will be here along
with the Coffee Car. The Duke of Lancaster Regiment, the
Lancashire Constabulary and the Lancashire Fire Service
will be here too. Make sure you have the date in your
diary and watch this space for more details.
28 February 2011
Market Flourishes
In spite of the inclement
weather first thing yesterday, the monthly Farmers'
Market at Cuerden Valley Park drew in the visitors after
lunch and continues to flourish. Staff, Volunteers and
Friends of Cuerden Valley Park make the stall holders
and visitors feel welcome. Visit our Events Page for
dates of the forthcoming Farmers markets.
25 February 2011
Lambing Begins
The first lambs have been
born on the Park today, ewe number three has given birth
to two little ram lambs. There will hopefully be many
more births on the Park over the next few weeks, as our
small flock of Jacob sheep grows, to help keep the
meadows managed over the summer period.
24 February 2011
Walking in the Sunshine
This morning six people
joined Health Walks Leaders, Lesley Russell and David
Beattie on a walk in the Park enjoying the almost spring
weather and seeing the snowdrops coming out in the
Pineatum. We walked down the path to the new bridge,
along the cycle track and over the stone bridge. Then up
and around Cock Cabin and down the Cinder Path before
returning to the Barn for refreshments.
Anyone wishing to joint
the Health Walks can meet at 10am at the Sports Centre
at Clayton Green on the second Tuesday or here at the
Barn on Berkeley Drive on the fourth Thursday.
23 February 2011
LEP photos of Birds of Prey
The photographer, from
the Lancashire Evening Post, was on the Park today
taking pictures of Ranger Richard Tanner working in the
woods and Richard Cookson from Cuerden Birds of Prey
flying his birds. These pictures will be in a centre
spread of the paper in the next few days so keep a look
out.
21 February 2011
Children Get Active on the Park
Eleven children, along
with their parents, joined Education Officer, Ruth
Abraham, on an Earth Walk this morning. This activity
took the children on a walk in the Park to play games
and learn about the environment. More school holiday
activities are planned this year so visit our
Education
page or Events
page to find out more.
16 February 2011
Getting Friendly with Brockholes
The Friends of Cuerden
Valley Park hosted a talk by Ian Selby about the
Wildlife Trust's project at Brockholes, which will be
open to the public at Easter. Twenty-five people came to
listen to the talk and ask questions about the site.
Ranger Richard Tanner spoke about what has been
happening on the Park and Friends Committee Member,
David Beattie, introduced the programme.
6 February 2011
Harvesting the Willow

Fifteen Conservation
Volunteers joined Ranger Richard Tanner at Kem Mill
today where they harvested willow from the stream. The
willow is to be used for river revetment works at a
later date.
5 February 2011
Bird Watching in the Rain
Watch group leader, David
Beattie was out in the Park this morning in the rain
with his group of 10 children aged 8-13 years, including
three new members. They fed the Park's small flock of
Jacob sheep and looked out for some of the birds who
winter in the Park. The spotted a variety of birds who
were out in spite of the rain including the Great
Spotted Woodpecker and the Redwing.
1 February 2011
New Programmes for Education
Teachers and parents can
visit our 2011 Education page to see what we have on
offer for pupils, when they visit us on a school trip to
the Park. As well as our ever popular Rivers and
Victorians programmes, we have new for this year Cuerden
Creature Creation and Owl-tastic. Please visit our
Education page for more information and teaches can also
speak to the Education Officer, on Mondays and
Thursdays, by telephoning the Park Office on 01772
324436.
28 January 2011
Healthy Walking in the Park
Eight people took part in
the latest of our series of Health Walks in the Park
yesterday.
The group was led by our trained Health Walks Leaders,
Lesley Russell in front with the Joe Brindle supporting
from the rear.
The weather was cold but
dry and the walk went through the Pineatum, down to the
valley over the bridge, turned left along the main path
to the picnic area, over the stone bridge and up around
Cock Cabin Pond, following the main path to the motorway
bridge, turning left along the cinder path and finally
up the driveway and round Cuerden Hall before finishing
up at the Barn for refreshments.
A number of the walkers
had never been around Cock Cabin Pond and asked for a
copy of the route so that they could do the walk again
with family and friends. One of the main aims of these
walks is to encourage people to get out and do some
exercise, if you would like to join in then visit the
events page to find out the dates for health walks in
2011. The second
Tuesday from the Clayton Green Sports
Centre and the fourth Thursday from the Barn.
26 January 2011
New Pictures
Catch up with what has
been happening on the Park in the new pictures
here on the Pictures
Page.
26 January 2011
Calling all Dog Owners
We receive a number of
contacts from dog owners who visit this website asking
if their dogs are welcome here, we have put a section
for dog owners on our facilities page, so you can now
visit it here.
24 January 2011
First Market of the Year
The first Cuerden
Farmers' Market of 2011 took place yesterday and was
remarkably well attended. The weather stayed dry up
until the last few minutes and after a slow start there
was a steady stream of visitors through the day. Cuerden
Birds of Prey were a great attraction as was the second
hand book stall, run by the Friends of Cuerden Valley
Park. The next market will be on Sunday 27th February
and stall holders are already booking to come along.
24 January 2011
Community Fund Runner up
A big thank you to all of
our visitors and Friends who voted for the Trust in the
RBS Community Fund for the Leyland Branch. As a runner
up we have received a sum of £1000 towards projects in
the Park
16 January 2011
Finding the Winter Birds

David Beattie led a group
of eight people on a walk around the Park to see how
many birds they could find making their home here for
the winter or just passing through. They spotted a
tree-creeper, pictured here, which came very close to
them, also a buzzard, two of the rare lesser Canada
Geese, several siskin, a multitude of winter thrushes
and a pair of goosander.
8 January 2011
A Decade of Watching on the Park

Cuerden Watch Group is
ten years old today with children aged 8-13 years old
enjoying environmental activities on the Park, led by
Watch Leader David Beattie. They celebrated with lots of
fun and games and a cake. Nineteen people, children and
parents, came along to the celebration and Jonathan
Taylor from OPAL came to make the official presentation
to David of his Biodiversity Champion Certificate.
4 January 2011
Volunteers on The Park
The Conservation
Volunteer working party started of the new year on
Sunday by working on the Scramble track. They continued
with the winter cutting back and thinning of the
overgrown shrubbery there and enjoyed a lunch of baked
potatoes cooked in the fire.
13 December 2010
Champion Watch Leader
Cuerden Watch Leader,
David Beattie, received an award today from Jonathan
Taylor of OPAL. He is their Biodiversity Champion for
2010 in recognition of the exceptional contribution made
to OPAL. David has been the Wildlife Watch and RSPB
Explorers leader on Cuerden Valley Park for a number of
years, taking his group of 8-12year olds out each month
on a variety of activities based on wildlife and
conservation.
David also Volunteers for
the Wildlife Trust, as well as the Cuerden Valley Park
Trust Education Programme, he is actively involved in
the Friends of Cuerden Valley Park, the Chorley and
District Natural History Society and the Lancashire
Badger Group. He also took an active park in the Bioblitz, which took place on Cuerden Valley Park in the
summer.
To see an great example
of David's skills why not come along to the first of our
"Friends" events on Sunday 16th January when you can
join him on a Winter Birdwatch.
6 December 2010
Children's Christmas Fair
Lots of children came
with their mums and dads to the Children's Christmas
Fair, held here on the Park yesterday. They had a go at
making the crafts, the Santa Shy, the tombola and
visited Father Christmas, who arrived promptly at 11
o'clock.
Father Christmas spent
several minutes with each child and they came away with
a gift and some chocolate. Everyone had a good time and
the Park raised over £500, many thanks to the Volunteers
who gave their time to supporting the event.
4 December 2010
Watching out for the Birds
The youngsters from the
Cuerden Watch group were on the Park today, learning how
to look after the birds this winter. With the cold
weather already upon us the birds need both food and
water to keep them healthy and survive in these freezing
temperatures.
Watch leaders helped the
children to make bird feeders and they took away a
specially prepared "menu" to follow with all the things
birds love on it.
You too can look after
the birds in your garden by putting out seeds, nuts,
fats and above all fresh water each day.
29 November 2010
Braving the Cold
In spite of the freezing
temperatures the Traders, Volunteers and Visitors came
into the Park yesterday to make our November Farmers'
Market a great success. Cuerden Calendars were on sale
and if you are looking for a suitable Christmas present,
then look no further, Calendars are on sale from the
Barn at £4 each.
We are also raising money
by raffling off a hand made Wooden Nativity Scene, which
has been kindle donated to the Park, tickets will be on
sale at the Children's Christmas Fair this coming Sunday
5th December and at the Christmas Farmers' Market on
Sunday 19th December.
23 November 2010
Friends at ASDA
The Friends of Cuerden
Valley Park will be at ASDA this Friday 26 November,
they will be promoting the Park, encouraging people to
join their group in support of Cuerden Valley Park,
selling the new Cuerden Calendar, collecting donations
and encouraging people to come to the activities being
held on the Park, over the next few weeks.
The November Farmers
Market this weekend on Sunday 28th November, the
Children's Christmas Fair on Sunday 5th December, the
new series of Health Walks from Clayton Green Sport
Centre on Tuesday 14th December and from the Barn on
Berkeley Drive on Thursday 23rd December and our
Christmas Market to be held on Sunday 19th December.
Why not come along and
find out more about what is going on at the Park, pick
up a newsletter, 2011 programme and other Park leaflets.
17 November 2010
Water Voles

Sixteen people joined
David Beattie and Ranger Darren Williams to listen to a
talk on Water Voles given by Joanne More of the
Lancashire Wildlife Trust. The Friends of Cuerden Valley
Park organise and series of walks and talks each year on
wildlife and other issues relating to the Park. For more
information please visit our Events page or collect a
2011 programme from the Visitor Centre at the Barn.
12 November 2010
Father Christmas is Coming
It may be just a little
early yet for many to be thinking about it, but Father
Christmas is going to be here on the Park on Sunday 5th
December, at our annual Children's Christmas Fair. The
Fair will start at 10am here at The Barn on Berkeley
Drive with craft activities for the children to make, a
visit to Santa, the Santa Shy and tombola. New for this
year will be a pottery wheel where you can watch a
demonstration and the children can make their own pot to
take away. Also we will have the popular Cuerden Birds
of Prey here, weather permitting they will be flying
outside and the children will be able to handle the
birds and have their picture taken. Entry into the Fair
is free but there will be a small charge for each of the
activities and the seasonal refreshments.
12 November 2010
Friends News
Visit the Friends of
Cuerden Valley Park page to find a link to news from the
Friends Group, written by the new Membership Secretary,
Michael Swarbrick. You can also print of one of the new
application forms which allows you pay by standing order
and Gift Aid your payments to the Friends, allowing them
to claim back the tax.
7 November 2010
Volunteers Cutting Back
Yesterday morning six of
our regular Conservation Volunteers joined Ranger
Richard Tanner continuing the work, started last
month, of thinning and cutting back on the Scramble
Track. Thanks to the good weather they were able to make
some headway in this important annual work carried out
at this time of year.
5 November 2010
Farewell to Pauline
Education Officer,
Pauline Taylor, has finished working for the Trust today
and has moved on to work for Groundworks, after four and
a half years of developing and running the Education
Programme on Cuerden Valley Park. With around 1,500
hundred children a year coming to the Park for
Environmental Education and Victorian days, Pauline
certainly had to work hard on her two days a week.
28 October 2010
A Busy Morning on the Park
This morning at 10am two
activities took place on the Park, Ranger Richard Tanner
took nineteen children, and their parents, on a Pond
Dipping Activity on the Scramble Track, they dipped in
the pond where they found a variety of wildlife and
enjoyed some games.
At the same time,
Education Officer, Pauline Taylor launched our series of
Health Walks, in conjunction with Active Nation, the
group were taken on a first level walk on the Park and
were very enthusiastic about coming again. The next walk
on the Park will be led by Active Nation from the
Clayton Green Sport Centre on Tuesday 9 November and the
next one from The Barn will be led by Cuerden Valley
Park Trust on Thursday 25 November.
27 October2010
2011 Programme
The Programme of Events
for 2011 is now available from The Barn, Visitor Centre
and by email or post from the Park Office. It is also
accessible from the events
page.
26 October 2010
Come Walk With Us
Don't forget that this
Thursday 28th October is the launch of our series of
Health Walks in conjunction with Active Nation at
Clayton Green Sports Centre. We look forward to seeing
you there and for your support of the Park.
26 October2010
News from the Park
The latest Newsletter is
now available to collect from the Barn or to download
here.
25 October 2010
Sun Shines on Market
In spite of the cold
start yesterday morning, the Farmer's Market was again a
resounding success with the sunshine bringing people out
to sample the delights of the stalls at this popular
venue. If you are interested in having a stall or
volunteering your time to help out please contact the
Park Office or visit the market
website.
20 October 2010
Badgers in the Barn

David Beattie, Vice
Chairman of the Lancashire Badger Group, gave an
illustrated talk to around twenty people, in the Barn,
yesterday evening. Many people attend regular badger
watches organised by the Group and this was an
opportunity to learn more about these animals, who are
unfortunately not found on the Park.
19 October2010
Cuerden Calendar

Calendars for 2011, with
pictures of your favourite Park, go on sale today at £4
each and are available to purchase from the Barn. They
will also be available at the Farmers' Market this
coming Sunday 24 October or you can send a cheque for
£4.50 to the Park Office and we will send you one in the
post.
18 October2010
Watch out for Litter
David Beattie, Cuerden
Watch Leader, was on the Park with his group on Saturday
morning. The children had a fun time using clean
"litter" to create animals and other creatures found on
the park and in the wild. Children between eight years
old and thirteen can join the group who meet every month
for outdoor activities on the Park.
4 October 2010
Volunteers Scramble
Nine Conservation
Volunteers joined Ranger Richard Tanner to spend the day
thinning and cutting back on the scramble track.
Unfortunately the day was cut short by the inclement
weather, but thanks to everyone who turned out to help.
21 September 2010
Park Manager on the Radio
Following on from the
article in the Lancashire Evening Post, Park Manager,
Jim Longbottom was contacted by BBC Radio Lancashire to
talk about the funding situation of the Park. Many
people do not know that the Park is owned and managed by
Cuerden Valley Park Trust and is a small local charity,
many assume that it is run by Chorley Council, who have
never been interested in owning or running it.
Over the past year the
Trust has reduced costs, by losing one Estate Worker
from the staff, and has introduced some fundraising
streams, which include car parking charges and the
monthly Farmers' Market. Any other fundraising events
would require input from volunteers because the Park is
managed by a small number of paid staff, most of them
required to keep the Park maintained and safe for
visitors, anyone interested in helping the Park in any
capacity should call the Park Office on 01772 324436.
For more information on
the Trust and the Park download and read our
Strategy Document,
published in 2009.
20 September 2010
Dogs Welcome
Many people contact us to
ask if dogs are welcome on the Park and we would like to
assure all dog owners that all well behaved dogs can
come and enjoy the benefits of a walk on the Park. The
only thing we ask is that dogs are kept under control
and that owners clean up after their pets, using the
bins provided to dispose of the waste.
One of the biggest
complaints we get from members of the public is about
unruly dogs who jump up people, especially children, and
fight with other dogs. The other big complaint we have
is where dog owners allow dogs to mess on the path and
in the woods and do not clean up after them.
20 September 2010
All in Pictures
The pictures page has
been updated today with some things which have been
happening on the Park in the last four months.
14 September2010
Walking in the Park

Cuerden Valley Park Trust
are teaming up with Active Nation, at the Clayton Green
Sports Centre, to offer a series of health walks in the
Park. The walks will start with the launch at the Barn,
on Berkeley Drive, at 10am on Thursday 28th October
2010. Come along and sign up to get fit by taking a
regular gentle walks on the park, with a trained Walks
Leader, make new friends and enjoy the social aspect of
walking in the beautiful Cuerden Valley Park. Follow the
link here to
find out more information.
14 September2010
BBC coming to Market
Calling all gardeners,
BBC Radio Lancashire are bringing their Gardening
Roadshow stand to Cuerden Farmers' Market on Sunday 26
September. Broadcasting during the Stephen Lowe show
between 2pm and 4pm, you can come along and ask advice
on all your gardening needs.
13 September2010
Mushrooms Anyone?

Around twenty people
joined Dr Irene Ridge on the Fungal Foray on Saturday.
They walked through the Pineatum and Ice House Wood
looking for the varieties of fungi that are found there.
Dr Ridge was able to tell the participants all about
their finds and to answer questions on this popular
subject.
6 September 2010
Busy Weekend

Ranger Darren Williams
was kept busy at the weekend, as well as his regular
weekend tasks of emptying the bins and checking the
paths, he helped Watch Leader David Beattie with his
group of youngsters on their environmental activities,
burying buckets for stag beetles to use and building
butterfly hibernation boxes, on
Saturday morning.

Darren also took out the
regular first Sunday Conservation Volunteers working
party of eleven volunteers, to rake off the meadows at
Kem Mill, as part of our annual meadow management
programme to encourage growth and biodiversity.
19 August 2010
Going Bats on the the Park
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.
9 August 2010
Bioblitz comes to the the Park
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.
2 August 2010
Volunteer Pathway
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.
29 July 2010
Park still Flying the Flag

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
Summer Fun
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.
25 July 2010
Farmers' Market
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
23 July 2010
Scouts have a Bash
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.
19 July 2010
Friendly Wanderers
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.
9 July 2010
Happy Meal
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.
6 July 2010
Volunteers Bashing
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.
29 June 2010
Watch in on Saturday


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.
28 June 2010
Market vs Sport
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.
20 June 2010
Where are the Butterflies?
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.
7 June 2010
Featuring the Fair
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.
27 May 2010
Spring Newsletter
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.
24 May 2010
Cuerden Valley Fair
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.
10 May 2010
Cuerden Valley Fair
The area around the
Berkeley Drive car park, the Arboretum, the Walled
Orchard and Ice House Wood is being prepared to welcome
thousands of visitors to our annual Fair.
Bigger and better
than ever it will incorporate our very successful
Cuerden Farmers' Market stall holders, a spectacular trials bike
course organised by the Park and welcoming riders from
all over the country and Blackpool Circus Skills
workshop for the second year running to try your hand at
balancing or juggling.
Art of Origami will be
holding a workshop for people of all ages to try their
hand at paper folding. Garswood Carriage rides will
operating from Berkeley Drive on a circular route via
Shady Lane and Sue Ryder's Driveway.
Visit Hillcrest Animal
Health for advice about your pets and the Walton Fox
stand where Phil Dodd and his staff will be giving away
samples of their drinks. Come along on Saturday 22 May and have a great day
out with things to see and do for the whole family.
26 April 2010
Market Is the Tops
Following our second
Farmers' Market yesterday the consensus among the stall
holders and the visiting customers is that it is one of
the best. As the word is spreading stallholders are
lining up to get onto the Market which for the coming
months is full to capacity.
Many visitors this Sunday
had not come to the previous one and were delighted with
their purchases. Volunteers were again working hard and
supporting the Trust and thanks go to the Chairman of
the Friends of Cuerden Valley Park, Pat Ryan, for
all his hard work in organising the Markets.
There will not be a
Farmers' Market on the fourth Sunday in May as the
Cuerden Valley Fair is held on Saturday 22nd May and the
majority of market traders will be there.
25 April 2010
Watch and Listen
On Saturday Cuerden Watch
Leader, David Beattie, took his group of 8 to twelve
year olds on an early morning Dawn Chorus to listen to
the birds who wake up very early on the Park.
David was up again on
Sunday and ready at 5am to lead the Friends of Cuerden
Valley Park Dawn Chorus activity, where 23 members of
the public joined him in the pouring rain to experience
the sights and sounds of the birdlife in the Park. This
highlight of Sunday was when the tufted ducks treated us
to a fly past as the males were attempting to attract
the lone female.
Both groups were rewarded
with a bacon butty after their walk and a good time was
had by all, in spite of the weather.
29 March 2010
Farmers' Market a Success

People came in huge
numbers to support our latest venture yesterday, when we
held our first Farmers' Market. A large number of stalls
did a brisk trade with bread, vegetables and the hog
roast selling out. Visitors donated generously at the
entrance to the Market and enjoyed visiting the variety
of stalls. The next Market is on 25 April so put the
date in your diary and come and see us.
25 March 2010
Market On the Radio
Park Manager, Jim
Longbottom, will be on BBC Radio Lancashire tomorrow,
Saturday, morning, between 8.00am and 8.30am, talking
about the Cuerden Farmers' Market, the first of which is
to be held this weekend on Sunday 28th March.
Visitors can expect to
see over 30 stalls selling all kinds of food and craft
products. Stall holders are paying a fee to support the
Park, as are visitors paying the 50p per family entry
and those buying teas and coffees from the Barn
The Wildlife Trust will
be opening their reception shop on the day, but they are
independent of the Farmers' Market, proceeds from any of
their sales will go to The Wildlife Trust and not
towards supporting the Park
25 March 2010
Spring is here
Fourteen of our Jacob
ewes have produced twenty-four lambs this year and we
are still waiting on ewe number 2 who was due a week
ago. The warmer march weather has encourage the birds to
start nesting and the spring flowers to start bursting
forth.
We are starting the
planting of our wildflower plugs in the meadows this
week, to help with our biodiversity programme which
started in the autumn when we planted bulbs in the
woodlands.
17 March 2010
Friends in the Dark
Nineteen adults and four
children were led on a walk in the Park yesterday
evening, by David Beattie, they heard the male tawny owl
giving his familiar "whooo" and a roost of jackdaws in
the woods. They finished their walk in Ice House Wood
where the Lancashire Moth Group had set up their lights
to attract the moths they informed the group that there
were 1,400 species of moth in Lancashire and in
one evening you can find around a hundred in an area.
16 March 2010
Friends AGM
David Beattie performed
his last act as Chairman of the Friends of Cuerden
Valley Park this evening when he handed over the job to
Patrick Ryan, who was duly elected to the position of
Chairman by the seventeen members who turned out for the
Annual General Meeting. Pat has been working hard over
the past few months organising the Cuerden Farmers'
Market, the first of which will take place on Sunday 28
March.
15 March 2010
Our Apologies
We apologise to all our
regular website visitors that the site was off line over
the weekend. We have recently changed our broadband
supplier and domain host, in order to reduce costs. The
transfer of the domain did not go smoothly and resulted
in a problem with members of the public accessing the
site. The problems have now been sorted and we hope that
there will now be uninterrupted enjoyment of our
website.
7 March 2010
Tree Planting Volunteers

Ranger Richard Tanner
worked alongside thirteen Volunteers today to plant 100
trees in Ice House Wood, as Park of the Trust's woodland
management. The wood is managed as a coppice and will be
cut in a regular cycle to provide wildlife habitats.
The Volunteers also place
guards around the trees to prevent them being damaged by
the deer in the Park, whilst the trees are establishing
themselves.
11 February 2010
Explorers in the News

This month has brought
certificates for the Cuerden Wildlife Explorers group
with a bronze Wildlife Action Award and Leader Helen
Thompson receiving her Fifteen Year Volunteer Award from
the RSPB. Two members of the Watch Group for 8-13 year
olds pictured here with their award and Watch Group
Leader David Beattie presents the award to Helen.
8 February 2010
Volunteers on the Park

Eleven Conservation
Volunteers joined Ranger Darren Williams on the Park
yesterday and cleared and cut back the overgrown cherry
and willow trees on the scramble track.
They built a bonfire to
burn off the brash and enjoyed a lunch of potatoes baked
in the fire. Thanks to everyone who turned out to do
this vital woodland management work.
27 January 2010
Cuerden Ranger at Fulwood Academy
Ranger Richard Tanner
went back to school today, when he attended the assembly
at the Fulwood Academy. The Principal had invited him to
come and collect a cheque for Cuerden Valley Park,
following their fundraising achievement for us as their
adopted charity. Richard had been to see them previously
to do a presentation about the Park and to leave them
some literature and the pupils were keen to give us
their support.
Anyone interested in
fundraising for the Park or making a donation to help
with the upkeep then please contact the Park Office on
01772 324436.
25 January 2010
Farmer's Market
The Friends of Cuerden
Valley Park are establishing a Farmer's Market, to take
place here on the Park, on the fourth Sunday of the
Month. The first one will be held on 28th March and we
have been told by the organisers that there are already
a number of food and craft sellers signed up to take
part. As visitors will know the Park is struggling to
meet the soaring cost of maintaining the facility and
the Fundraising Group from the "Friends" are using this
opportunity to help raise money for the Park. We
acknowledge a lot of help from Made in Lancashire who
are supporting our efforts by contacting their members
and offering advice. If you are interested in having a
stall or for more information visit the Cuerden Valley
Park Farmers Market website by linking
here.
8 January 2010
Let it Snow

The Park is looking
beautiful with it's blanket of snow this week and
visitors are enjoying sledging, snow balls fights and
walks in the valley. People struggling to drive up Town
Brow/Sheep Hill abandoned their cars in our Car Park on
Wednesday and Berkeley Drive is quite slippery so care
needs to be taken by visitors coming that way to the
Barn or the Park. Rangers are continuing to work hard
with their winter schedule of woodland thinning and will
be around the Park as usual seven days a week.
4 January 2010
Conservation Volunteers
Our working party of
twelve got the New year off to a good start yesterday
when they joined Ranger Daren Williams for the first
Conservation Volunteers day of 2010. They worked on the
scramble track cutting back some of the trees and
stacking them. We welcomed Neil a new volunteer joining
our group for the first time.
22 December 2009
Winter Wonderland

The Park turned into a
playground yesterday after fresh snow had fallen over
night and snowmen sprang up all over the place. People
also enjoyed sledging on the slopes and snow ball fights
in the valley. So wrap up warm, come out to play in the
snow and have a very Merry Christmas. Although the Park
looks wonderful in the snow we ask visitors to take care
on the paths and roads around the area as freezing
temperatures could make them icy.
17 December 2009
Information on Car Parking
Information on Car
Parking can now be found on the dropdown menu "About Us"
and the application form for a Parking Permit can be
downloaded from there. We are pleased to say that the
support we have received from members of the public,
visiting the Park, has been much more than we
anticipated, and we thank you all very much for that.
There have been a few
teething problems with the new machines and especially
with the dispensing of the tickets, which seem to stick
in the machine in the damp weather. Please bear with us
on this one, as we have ordered a different brand of
tickets in the hope that this will solve the problem.
7 December 2009
Children's Christmas Fair
Another successful day
for the Park when we opened our doors to local families
to start the celebration of Christmas. There were lots
of craft activities for the children, a visit to Santa,
who arrived at 11am, a tombola and seasonal
refreshments. Even our regular park users dropped in for
a cup of coffee and to enjoy the atmosphere. Visit our
features page for pictures of the event by linking
here
and if you missed us this year then make a note
of the date on our events page for 2010. A big thank you
to all our Volunteers and Friends of Cuerden Valley Park
who gave their time to help out by manning the stands
and clearing up afterwards.
30 November 2009
Newsletter
The Autumn Newsletter
from the Park is available at the Barn Visitor Centre
from today or you can link to it
here on this website.
24 November 2009
Thanks to the Friends

Woodland thinning work on
the Park is about to commence and Ranger Richard
Tanner's chainsaw was found to be beyond repair. The
Trust offers a
big thank you to the Friends of Cuerden Valley Park for
donating the money to purchase a new one for him. At at
time when we are trying to cut back on expenditure it is
good to know we have people who will support us. The
Chairman of the 'Friends', David Beattie, handed over
the saw to Richard who was delighted to accept it on
behalf of the Park.
18 November 2009
Park Programme 2010
The Park programme of
events is now available for 2010, just visit our
events page for all the
information on Friends events, Conservation Volunteer
days and children's activities.
18 November 2009
Friends go Environmental
Yesterday evening the
Friends of Cuerden Valley Park invited Kath Tanner to
give a talk about the Environment Agency and the various
roles she had been employed in during her career. Those
who attended were enlightened about where the water
supplies come from and some of the problems encountered.
Trying to balance the need for sustained habitat for
water based creatures and water needed for private and
commercial consumption is not an easy job. After a
lively question and answer session Ranger Richard Tanner
thanked his wife for her interesting and informative
talk and then went on to update everyone on what was
happening in the Park.
16 November 2009
Victorian Days 2010
Education Officer,
Pauline Taylor, is now taking bookings, from Primary
schools, for the 2010 Victorian outdoor experience days
during the spring, summer and autumn terms for available
date please visit the
schools page. This is a very popular activity for
schools throughout Lancashire so book early to avoid
disappointment On the day everyone dresses in Victorian
costume, school pupils take part in four activities
throughout the day and they can then apply for a job on
the Cuerden Estate.
2 November 2009
Conservation Volunteers
Yesterday our
Conservation Volunteers working party of eleven
volunteers were working with the Park Manager, Jim
Longbottom, to complete the planting of the remainder of
the 7,000 bulbs in the woodlands on the Park. Three
members of the party were young people working towards
their Duke of Edinburgh Awards who came along with a
parent.
27 October 2009
AGM
Cuerden Valley Park Trust
held it's Annual General Meeting yesterday evening and
the Trustees were joined by our accountant, Stephen
Gardiner, from John Goulding & Co and life member and
former Chairman, Colin Ovenden. Ian Dibben was
re-elected as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and he
invited Colin Ovenden to give the vote of thanks. Colin
remains an active supporter as a member of the "Friends"
group and regular user of the Park, he congratulated the
Park Manager, Jim Longbottom, and his staff for their
hard work in keeping the Park looking so good.
26 October2009
Messing about in the River
This morning our River
dipping activity attracted 17 children with their
parents and accompanying adults who joined our Education
Officer, Pauline Taylor, for the last holiday activity
of the year. They were amazed and the number and variety
of inhabitants we have here in the River Lostock.
All four of the School
Holiday Activities went down well with the public so
watch this space for what we have planned in 2010 to
entertain the children.
26 October2009
Bulb Planting

Watch Group
The bulb planting got off
to a good start on Saturday morning with the Cuerden
Watch Group putting in some bluebells and snowdrops in
Cock Cabin Wood under the guidance of their leader,
David Beattie, and Ranger Darren Williams. David
returned with another group to plant yet more bluebells
on the reservoir bank.
This afternoon the public
joined Ranger Richard Tanner and Education Officer,
Pauline Taylor, down at the Kem Mill end of the park to
plant some more, guess what, yes! bluebell bulbs. With
over 7,000 bulbs to put in over the week we still have
some way to go.
21 October2009
Police Visit
Yesterday evening the
Friends of Cuerden Valley Park hosted an event where PC
Duncan Thomas came and talked about his role as the
Lancashire Police Wildlife Officer. There were around 25
people enjoying an insight into how he deals with
poachers, dog fights, badger baiting and disruption of
wildlife habitat. Despite suffering with a bad toothache
PC Thomas was able to make his talk both amusing and
informative and a very good evening was had by all.
Cuerden Valley Park Trust and staff are grateful for all
the support they receive from the local police force, in
the work that they do to help keep the Park and it's
wildlife safe for visitors to enjoy.
16 October 2009
Public Bulb Planting
We are inviting members
of the public to join us on Monday 26th October 2009 to
help us plant the 7,000 wild flower bulbs purchased with
funding from the Lancashire Environment Fund and the
Friends of Cuerden Valley Park. Anyone wishing to join
in should look out for us in the woodlands along the
main path from Kem Mill to Lancaster Lane between 1.30pm
and 3.30pm. Everyone is welcome, so we hope to
see you there.
9 October 2009
Working with Wood and Words
Friday is our day for
using the wood from our coppiced FSC standard woodlands
and Volunteer Dave, worked with the rangers to cut and
load four trailer loads of logs to deliver in the area.
Nothing is wasted on the Park, where the winter cutting
back and thinning in the woods the smaller pieces are
put through the chipper to produce woodchip for paths
and gardens and the larger branches and tree trunks are
left to season in over the summer and sold for firewood
in the autumn and winter.
This evening the Park
Manager, Jim, gave a talk on the Restoration of the Park
under the Heritage Lottery funding, to Leyland Gardening
Club. As a result he found members who would be willing
to volunteer their time to helping in the award winning
Restored Victorian Walled Orchard and with helping out
with the further excavations at Kem Mill.
8 October 2009
Fencing with the Volunteers
One of our regular
Wednesday and Thursday Volunteers worked alongside the rangers to
repair and replace fencing around the field of one of
our tenant farmers. Fence repair and replacement is one
of the tasks that requires attention at this time of
year. The support of the Mersey Basin campaign allows us
to provide tools, transport and refreshment for the
Volunteers working on the Park.
6 October 2009
Sheep and Education
This is the time of year
when the sheep begin their breeding cycle with tups
being put in with the ewes. The small flock of Jacob
sheep is used for meadow management to keep the grass
and scrub down. Volunteers working today with the
rangers caught up this years lambs for market and
introduced the rams (tups) to the ewes.
Holy Cross College
visited the park today to do an independent study of the
River Lostock with 50 students braving the weather to
measure the width, depth and velocity and to observe the
meanders and oxbow. Cuerden Valley Park's Education
Officer runs a simpler programme for primary schools to
learn about the river.
5 October 2009
Volunteer Gardeners
The Mersey Basin campaign
continued today with one of our regular volunteer
gardeners, from Brindle Gardening Club, coming to work
in the Restored Victorian Walled orchard. These
volunteers have been coming in since the spring to make
the garden look good all year round, by weeding,
planting and cutting back. The orchard was restored as
part of our Heritage Lottery project and contains a fine
herbaceous border, apple, pear and plum trees.
4 October 2009
Conservation Volunteers
The Sunday Conservation
Volunteers group continued their support of the Mersey
Basin Campaign again this year, when eleven people
joined Ranger Darren Williams behind the lake to cut
back and burn the overgrown bushes and trees, they
cooked their lunch of baked potatoes in the fire. The
workers included 14 year old Elliot, who is doing this
as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award, and his mother
Dawn. The group also welcomed newcomer Kayleigh who
joined them for the first time today. The group meet on
the first Sunday of the month and get involved in a
conservation project to help Cuerden Valley Park Trust
keep the Park looking good and preserving it for future
generations to enjoy.
2 October 2009
Victorian Start to Mersey Basin
Mersey Basin week on the
Park started today with eighteen children from Cuerden
Church School coming with their teachers to experience
life on the Cuerden Estate in 1881. The children split
into two groups, in the morning they spent time with the
Charcoal Burner cutting and stacking logs in the kilns
and with the Game Keeper (oh no it was the Poacher) in
the woods learning about poverty and the need to catch
food. In the afternoon the children spent time with the
Gardener in the walled garden weeding, watering and
raking and with the scullery maid making strawberry ice
cream and learning about life at Cuerden Hall.
14 September 2009
Fungal Foray
The weather was good
yesterday which brought a number of people out to join
Dr Irene Ridge on a walk through the Park to discover
the wide variety of fungi that we have on our site.
Guided by Dr Ridge the members of the public were
encouraged to taste some of the edible fungi and were
given an insight into how to recognise the different
species.
6 September 2009
Conservation Volunteers
The Cuerden Valley Park
Sunday Conservation Group were active on the Park today
with balsam bashing in the morning and cutting back the
willow and alder after lunch. Six of our regulars turned
out along with Vicky, a new Conservation Volunteer
gleaned from the attendees at Friday's Strategy
Presentation.
5 September 2009
Watch Group going Batty
The Cuerden wildlife
watch group were on the Park this evening with their
leader, David Beattie, for a barbecue and bat watch. The
weather held fair for them and they had a great time.
4 September 2009
Strategy Presentation to the VIPs

A very busy weekend on
the Park commenced today with a presentation on the Park
and the recently published Strategy Document. Hosted by
South Ribble MP David Borrow who introduced the the
presentation to local dignitaries, councillors and
stakeholders, who were invited to take part in the event.
Park Manager, Jim Longbottom gave a powerpoint display
and talked about the Park and it's ten year strategy,
followed by Chairman Ian Dibben, who talked about the
financial aspect of running the Park in the future.
After lunch, those who wished to, were taken by Ranger
Richard Tanner on a walk around the Park.
26 August 2009
Cuerden Valley Fair

The date for next year's
event has been set for Saturday 22 May 2010, we expect
to have all the usual favourite attractions along with
something new so watch this space and put the date in
your diary.
24 August 2009
Strategy Display
Today the mobile strategy
display moved from the Preston Harris Library to Whittle
le Woods Community Hall in Union Street and on 7th
September it moves to Penwortham Community Centre. You
can collect a copy of the Park's ten year Strategy
Document and give us feedback. Residents of Leyland can
look out for the display at the Leyland Library from
21st September.
19 August 2009
Going Bats on the Park
Yesterday evening bat
expert, Joyce Gillies led a group of twenty-four adults
and ten children, around the Park, with the help of
Friends Chairman, David Beattie and Ranger Richard
Tanner. Using bat detectors around the buildings,
woodlands and water they heard and saw some pipistrelle,
noctule and daubenton bats. Joyce and Richard were on
BBC radio Lancashire on Friday afternoon talking about
bats and the Park, if you have any concerns about bats
in your area please let us know or contact the
Bat Conservation
Trust.
3 August 2009
Conservation Volunteers

The Conservation
Volunteer working party were on the Park yesterday
taking off the grass, following mowing and
strimming, around Covert Pond and cutting back to open
up Stock Pond. Seven of our regulars
turned up to help Ranger Darren Williams with these
tasks. Anyone interested in helping out once a month on
the first Sunday can contact the Park Office on 01772
324436.
29 July 2009
Newsletter
The Summer Newsletter
from the Park is available at the Barn Visitor Centre
from today or you can link to it
here on this website.
23 July 2009

Green Flag Award for the Park
The Park has been given
the prestigious Green Flag Award, which was presented at
an award ceremony in Bournemouth yesterday. Ian Dibben,
the Trust Chairman, and David Beattie, Chairman of the
Friends of Cuerden Valley Park, collected the flag on
behalf of the Trust. Achieving the Green Flag standard
was one of the aims set out in the recently published
Strategy Document. The Green Flag Award recognises well
managed and high quality green spaces. To be eligible
the Park had to be freely accessible to the public and
perform well against the eight criteria set. These
criteria stipulate that the Park should be a welcoming
place, be healthy, safe and secure, be clean and well
maintained, have sustainability, the Trust also needs to
be concerned with conservation and heritage, community
involvement, marketing and management. The next thing on
the agenda is to get a flag pole, to set up in a
strategic place on the Park, from which to fly our flag.
For more information on the Green Flag Award follow the
link here.
13 July 2009
Balsam Bashing Season
Hymalayan Balsam is an
invasive species which needs to be removed from the
woodlands and fields on the Park. We have been very
lucky of late to have several groups coming into the
Park to help us eradicate it from areas of the Park. If
we continue to remove it before it flowers and goes to
seed then it will not be able to spread. The
Conservation Volunteers cleared an area on Sunday 5 July
and the Cuerden Watch Group joined with the Stannah
Squirrels Watch Group on Saturday 11 July to work on
another area. I you are looking for a worthwhile project
this summer then contact the Park Office on 01772 324436
and arrange to come as a group or family to do this
important work for the environment.
27 June 2009
Out and About
We were invited to the
Westwood Road Primary School Celebration Fair, which was
held today between 11am and 2pm, and Administration
Officer, Lesley Russell, and Conservation Volunteer,
Ruth Balshen went along. It was a great day out and many
people came to see us in our gazebo where 32 children
made ladybirds, we gave out more than a dozen copies of
our Strategy Document and were able to promote the Park
and the "Friends" group. The weather held up for us
until the last five minutes when heavy showers sent
everyone scurrying for shelter or home. Thanks to the
Gazebo, purchased for us by the "Friends" with a grant
from Awards for All, we were sheltered from the
worst of the storm.
27 June2009
Cuerden Explorers
The Cuerden Explorer's
group was on the Park today with their leader David
Beattie looking at butterflies and moths. There are a
variety of species which inhabit the Park and the
children were able to learn about a number of them with
lots of activities and fun.
23 June 2009
Cuerden Valley Fair Prize Winners

The Prize Draw has taken
place and the winner of the Dramel Toolkit, donated by C
& W Berry, is Mrs Fiona
Jones, from Bamber Bridge and the winner of the Meal for
two, at the Walton Fox, Bamber Bridge is Mr Michael Hall
from Leyland. The "Wellie" throwing was very popular and
the three trophies have been presented to the winners,
the 8 and under was won by Samuel Hawkins, from Bognor
Regis, with a throw of 20.7m, the 9-16 was won by
Sam Lowe, from Clayton le Woods with a throw of 34.3m
and the adult was won by Mark Brennan, from Accrington,
with a throw of 31.2m. Well done to all our winners.
22 June2009
Strategy on the Move
The Cuerden Valley Park
Strategy display with copies of the document will be
travelling around the area. The display is currently at
the Clayton Green Library where visitors are taking
copies of the Strategy Document to read and return a
feedback questionnaire. Next week it will be moving to
Lostock Hall library for two weeks and week commencing
13 July it will go to the South Ribble Borough Council
Offices. You can collect your copy of the Strategy
Document at any of these venues, from Bamber Bridge
Library or from the Park Visitor Centre at the Barn on
Berkeley Drive. We welcome feedback and comments from
everyone who reads our strategy so please let us know
what you think.
21 June 2009
Pond Dipping

The Friends of Cuerden
Valley Park held their Pond Dipping for Adults activity
today, although the turnout was small they had an
enjoyable couple of hours. Dipping in the pond on the
"Scramble Track" they found a number of interesting
species including tadpoles, insects and larvae.
17 June 2009
Public Meeting
Members of the public
came to a meeting at the Barn yesterday evening, where
the Park Manager, Jim Longbottom, gave a presentation on
the recently published ten year Strategy Document for
the Park. Following the presentation the assembled
people had the opportunity to ask questions and make
comment on the strategy. The Strategy Document is
available on this website or in hard copy from the Park
Office. Displays will be visiting local libraries and
council offices where copies of the Strategy Document
will be available. We welcome your feedback on one of
the form in the document on here on the website.
30th May 2009
Cuerden Valley Fair

Another great day for the
Trust, exhibitors and visitors to the fourth annual fair
held at Cuerden Valley Park today. More than 3,500
people came to enjoy the wine tasting at the Walton Fox
stand, the Cuerden Valley Park "wellie" throwing
competition, the Blackpool Circus Skills Workshop, the
Blacksmith and Thatching demonstrations, the Leyland
Morris Men and Silver Bell Band. The volunteers helping
out with the set up, parking, gate entrances etc gave us
nearly 300 hours of their time between them. The
feedback from exhibitors has been positive on the whole
with many already wanting to book their place for next
year's event. BBC Radio Lancashire gave us a couple of
slots on the Steve Royle show between 10.30am and
11.00am, when Helen Randall interviewed the Park
Manager, Jim Longbottom, and then Barry the Thatch, who
brought his little house to thatch and made dovecotes
and other smaller items for the visitors. Watch this
space for more information on the Cuerden Valley Fair.
21st May 2009

30th May 2009 10am - 4pm
Not long to go now to the
long awaited event on the Park, everyone is gearing up
for a great day out. Posters have gone up all around the
neighbourhood and look out for the flyers being
distributed with the Chorley Citizen and the Preston
Reporter this week, which are also available in local
council offices, local libraries and in the Barn
Visitors Centre on Berkeley Drive. The Prize Draw is
being supported by The Walton Fox, Bamber Bridge, and C
& W Berry Ltd of Leyland, come along and enter the draw
to win one of the two prizes. Free Car Parking on the
Field off Sue Ryder's driveway and a short walk to the
entrance gates, disabled parking is allocated next to
the Barn please follow directions of the Traffic
Marshalls on the day.
18th May 2009
Balsam Bashing
It's that time of year
again when the Himalayan Balsam is starting to erupt in
the woodlands around the Park, yesterday our monthly
Conservation Volunteers Group made an impact on
eradicating this invasive species in Ice House Wood. It
is an ongoing problem and any community group who would
like to get involved in the Park can arrange to come and
have a fun day removing the Balsam, just call the Park
Office on 01772 324436. This will help us to keep the
Park looking good for the regular users and occasional
visitors.
26th April 2009
Friends Activity

Friend's Chairman, David
Beattie, was interviewed on BBC Radio Lancashire on
Saturday 25th April, to tell listeners all about the Dawn
Chorus which took place on the Park on Sunday 26th April.
Nineteen adults and children joined David Beattie,
Ranger Richard Tanner and Park Administration Officer,
Lesley Russell, on an early morning walk around the Park.
Starting from The Barn on Berkeley Drive at 5.00am the
group went along the cinder path and over the motorway
to the Stag Lodge area of the Park, coming back over the
bridge and round to the lake, finally over the new
bridge and through the arboretum area in a full circle
back to the Barn for bacon butties. There were around 30
species of birds recognised by sight and song during the two hour walk.
24th April 2009
Park on the Front Page
Nobody reading
yesterday's Lancashire Evening Post can have failed to
see the advertising board for the Cuerden Valley Fair on
the front page. Thanks to the Road Safety Partnership
for hiding their speed camera van behind it, even though
it was masking the advertisement on the other side of
the board, and the member of the public who took the
picture. For more information about the Fair click on
the link here.
6th April 2009
Easter Eggstravaganza
Education Office, Pauline
Taylor, took a group of around 36 children and parents
to the Walled Orchard to paint hard boiled eggs and
throw them down the hill wrapped in newspaper, this was
followed by an Easter bunny hunt in the Pineatum, each
bunny having a letter attached which spelled out a
phrase. The final activity was making an Easter card.
Our apologies to all those who came late and were unable
to take part in the activity. This was the first
children's holiday event we have held and we were
overwhelmed by it's popularity. All other events on the
programme will be bookable and we will be looking to
increase the number of activities for next year. If you are interested
in any of the activities during the coming school
holidays please see our events page
or the flyer here.
5 April 2009
Conservation Volunteers

The Conservation
Volunteers group was out on the Park again this weekend,
a group of eight did some fence painting and scrub
clearance, with Ranger Darren Williams. This group meets
on the first Sunday of the month and completes one or
two projects that are suitable for a group activity. For
more information see our
volunteers page.
4 April 2009
Cuerden Wildlife Explorers
The Cuerden Wildlife
Explorers were on the park today with group leader Sarah
Deakin, they had fun with pond dipping and associated
games. The ponds on Cuerden Valley Park are teeming with
wildlife and the group had a great time. If you are aged
8-13 and interested in joining then have a look at the
explorers web page.
27 March 2009
Park Signs

Visitors to Cuerden
Valley Park will have noticed the new signposts erected
along the main path to direct Park users to the lake and
the car parks, these were funded by the Awards for All
grant on behalf of our Conservation Volunteers. With the
Park covering 650 acres it is easy to loose track of
where you are and these signs at strategic points are
there to help give direction.
18 March 2009
Friend's Activity

Around thirty people
turned out for the talk on Wildlife Photography given by
local photographer Tony Dunn. He used illustrations of
the many pictures which he had taken of the wildlife and
scenery around Britain. He was able to give tips on how
to frame a picture and the use of different photographic
equipment. If you are interested in joining the
"Friends" telephone 01772 324436 or call into the Barn
for an application form.
16 March 2009
Staff Training
Certificates arrived
today for the Park Manager and Rangers following their
assessment in digger and dumper driving last month.
Local Trainer, Chris Monks, from Monks Training
Services, spent a day with the staff and put them
through their paces. Chris provides training and
assessment in small plant and tools as well as NVQs in
Plant and Machinery operations. For more information
contact him on chris@monkstraining.com or telephone
01772 624668.
15 March 2009
Tree Planting

A group from South Ribble
Methodist Churches came to plant around 40 oak saplings
today in Wigan Lodge Wood. The trees had been grown by
the members of the group who brought them to plant in
the Park.
7 March 2009
Mud Glorious Mud

Cuerden Wildlife
Explorers group were on the Park today doing their
regular Saturday activities. Nine children, aged between
8 an 12 years old, joined Watch leaders David Beattie
and Sarah Deakin in the Park to enjoy a morning of
messing about with mud. If you would like more
information then link here
to the Explorers Page.
5 March 2009
Lambing Season
Cuerden Valley Park
lambing season is now well under way with the expectant
ewes being moved to the delivery area this week.
Following the move the first ewe gave birth to two
lambs, on her expected delivery date, today and more
lambs are expected over the next few weeks. This small
flock of Jacob sheep is used to keep the grass down on
the park, when they are moved periodically from area to
area, and this means we can minimise the use of
chemicals and machinery in these areas.
2 March 2009

Bringing you up to date
with less than three months to go to the big day, make
sure you have the date in your diary. The Silver Bell
Band will be playing live in the Award winning Restored
Victorian Walled Orchard from 12.15pm on the day. The
Walton Fox will be giving away samples of wine and we
encourage you to visit their stand and have a meal at
their venue in Bamber Bridge after the Fair. The Food
and Crafts Marquee is filling up nicely with just two or
three spaces left. The usual woodland crafts will be
around in Ice House Wood and a master Thatcher will be
displaying his craft. AS&L will be providing the
children's fairground rides this year including a mini
octopus. For animal lovers there will be a chance to
visit the Lancashire Rare Breeds Survival Trust, the
Pennine Mountain Rescue dogs will be on the field again
and so will Jim Brown, from The Hawk Gardens, Leighton
Hall, with his hawks and owls. As usual we will have
something for everyone even down to the uniquely
different coffee car!
1 March 2009
Conservation Volunteers

The Volunteers were out
in force again today, following their session of tree
planting last month they went back to clearing the scrub
behind the lake. Eight volunteers joined Ranger Richard
Tanner and where they spent the day cutting back the
scrub and burning it on a bonfire, baked potatoes were
cooked in the bonfire for lunch and they enjoyed them
sitting under a canopy and then finished the session
with a litter pick along the banks of the lake. Thanks
to all the people who took part as the Trust relies on
it's volunteers to enable it to carry out these tasks.
24 February 2009
New Trustees
Following the resignation
of one of our Trustees we recently began a recruiting
drive with posters on the Park and advertisements on the
website. We were very pleased to receive seven enquiries
to our advertising followed by six completed application
forms. Four of those six, who first of all attended
meetings as observers, put their names forward for
election to the Board. Our new Trustees are Terry Marsh
a self employed writer and photographer on the outdoors
and Travel, Conrad Hayton an Independent Financial
Adviser, Terry Jolly who retired in 2007 from being a
Programme Manager with BAE Systems and finally Richard
Crompton who has had a long standing relationship of
volunteer work with the Trust and works as an Account
Manager with Concanteno Altrix. They were co-opted onto
the Board this week at the Trustees Meeting and welcomed
by the Chairman.
5 February 2009
Pictures Page
This web builder has
finally got around to updating the "pictures"
page, since I took over managing the site in
2007 I have been making changes to each page and trying
to keep everything up to date. I have turned the order
of the pictures upside down and instead of recent
visitors at the bottom I have put pictures of things
that have happened recently at the top. I have also put
the pictures of wildlife next and changed the majority
of them and last but not least pictures from around the
park including areas that have been worked on by the
staff recently. The pictures page was the last one to be
given an overhaul so please have a look and tell me what
you think by using the contact
us page.
5 February 2009
BBC Radio Lancashire on the Park
For those of you who were
listening to Ted Robins programme this morning between
10.30am and 11.00am you would have heard roving reporter
David Saville interviewing the Park Manager, Jim
Longbottom, out in the Park with the ewes and newborn
lambs. For those of you who missed it you can hear it
replayed on the BBC Radio Lancashire website over the
next 24 hours.
2 February 2009
Winter in Cuerden
Cuerden Valley Park woke
up this morning to a covering of snow and in spite of
the weather all members of staff reported for work. The
lambs are faring well and the work of the Park Rangers
goes on. There have been sightings of sledges being
ridden down the hill and the regular dog walkers are out
as usual.
1 February 2009
Conservation Volunteers Planting Trees
A big thank you goes out
to the thirteen Conservation Volunteers who came today
to help Ranger Richard Tanner plant 600 saplings and put
tree guards round them. Working up in the North West
Quadrant of the Park, in spite of the bitterly cold
weather, it remained fine and dry to enable them to
complete their session, well done.
30 January 2009

Ranger Darren Williams
announced that ewe number 4 had given birth to two lambs
today!! It took us all by surprise again this year as
the first lambs were not due until the beginning of
March and number 4 was not known to be expecting. The
twins are doing very well and it is now thought that
number 13 also not known to be expecting, is due soon so
watch this space for more deliveries.
19 January 2009

Plans are now well under
way for our fourth annual summer fair with the Food and
Crafts marquee filling up with bookings from Made in
Lancashire members, if you want a space you will have to
be quick to get in. New for this year we have the
Blackpool Circus skills workshop so you can learn how to
juggle and balance on a unicycle, also the Park Rangers
have listened to comments from last year and are
organising a "wellie" throwing competition and a
squirrel shy. The date for your diaries if Saturday 30
May 2009 and we look forward to giving you another great
day out for all the family.
19 January 2009
21 Top Dog Walks
To those of you who voted
Cuerden Valley Park into the top 21 dog walks in the
country may we say a big thank you. We know that the
Park is used by many dog walkers on a daily basis, all
we ask from you is that you keep your dogs under close
control and clean up after them.
Click here to see which other places in Lancashire
were in the top 21.
18 January 2009
Winter Birdwatch

Twenty-six people joined
our resident birding expert and Chairman of the Friends
of Cuerden Valley Park, David Beattie, on a bird
watching walk in the Park at 1.00pm today. They followed
a route along the cinder path and along the main path to
the Lake. Then they made their way back to the Barn over
the new bridge and up through the Pineatum and American
Garden. See our Events Page for
future Friends' walks and talk.
9 January 2009
Otters on the Park?
There was excitement in
the Park Office early in the week when Ranger Richard
Tanner said he had seen animal tracks on the Park which
he thought were made by an otter. The Environment Agency
were contacted, they came out on Tuesday and looked around
the area comparing the tracks and collecting samples of
spraints (droppings). The Environment Agency have now confirmed to
us that they are definitely from an otter and have asked
for our help in carrying out an otter survey on the
Yarrow, Lostock and Douglas catchments later in the year.
8 January 2009
Cuerden Mammals
The Highways Agency will
be coming onto the Park from Monday 12 January 2009 to
work on putting a mammal shelf under the M6 to allow the
passage of small mammals between the northern end of the
Park and the main valley. The Trust hope that this will
improve the quality of life for the wildlife in the Park
and make it easier for the animals to find food and
shelter.
4 January 2009
Conservation Volunteers
Cuerden Valley Park
Conservation Volunteers came in on Sunday 4th January
2009 to help with burning brash and clearing scrub on
the Nature Reserve behind the lake to create woodland
pasture. Eleven Volunteers worked with Ranger Richard
Tanner and were rewarded with a lunch of baked potatoes
cooked in the bonfire. Anyone interested in joining our
Sunday Conservation Volunteer working party please
contact the Park Office or fill in the
application form on
our Volunteers page and return it to the Park Office.
23 December 2008
Newsletter
The Cuerden quarterly
newsletter is now available on line with highlights of
what has been going on between September and the
beginning of December, link here to the
Newsletter page.
18 December 2008
Christmas Time at Cuerden
The Park Office and Barn
Visitor Centre will be officially closed from Wednesday
afternoon, 24 December 2008 until Monday morning 5
January 2009. A Park Ranger will be on duty in the Park
every day over this period. To report any problems on
the Park please call 01772 324436 and leave a message
with your name and contact number, which will be picked
up by a Park Ranger during the day. For vandalism
or criminal activity please contact the Police on 0845
125 3545. Please have a safe and enjoyable visit to the
Park at Christmas and normal services will resume in the
New Year.
8 December 2008
Children's Christmas Fair

Visitors to Christmas Fair
Yesterday Cuerden Valley
Park Trust opened up the Barn for the day and invited
children and their families to come and enjoy the fun.

Crafts Santa Shy
There were children's
Christmas crafts to make, a tombola, "Hunt the Santa" in
the arboretum and a Santa Shy on the grass at the back
of the car park. Santa arrived at 11am to cheers and
applause, then he went into his grotto and dozens of
children went in to meet him.
Staff, Volunteers and
Friends were there to ensure that a great time was had
by all and funds raised from the event will go towards
supporting the work of the Park in 2009. A big thank you
and a Merry Christmas to all who came to make the day
enjoyable for everyone.
25 November 2008
Thanks to the Public
For all those of you who
have read in the newspapers or seen the signs around the
Park relating to the "Flasher" who has been seen by
women and children around the lake area. You will be
pleased to hear that a suspect, matching the
description, has been taken into Police custody,
following a call from a member of the public and the
vigilance of a member of the Park Staff. Today, Tuesday,
at around 11am police arrived on the Park and were led
to the man who fitted the description by the Staff. We
are grateful to members of the public who call us about
suspicious behaviour and vandalism on the Park and who
notify the Police about criminal activity.
22 October 2008
Friends Walk After Dark
The Friend's of Cuerden
Valley Park invited everyone to join them on an after
dark walk on the Park yesterday evening. Twenty-four
people were guided around the Park by David Beattie, the
Friend's Chairman, to look out and listen for our
nocturnal inhabitants. David first introduced them to a
recording of the sounds they might hear and they were
lucky enough to hear a fox in the undergrowth, a tawny
owl in the trees and bats still feeding over the lake.
You are invited to come along to the next activity on
Tuesday 18 November when Dr Irene Ridge will give an
illustrated talk on Orchids. When you join the Friends
of Cuerden Valley Park you can help to monitor and
maintain the species and habitats found on Cuerden
Valley Park. Click here for more
details.
20 October 2008
Park Story on Mersey Basin Blog
Taking part in the Mersey
Basin Week each year meant that this year we had a visit
from the campaign office to see the work we are doing
and you can link to their
blog here to see what they said about our efforts in
conservation around the River Lostock.
7 October 2008
Cuerden Valley Fair

The date for next year's
event has been set for Saturday 30th May 2009 with all
the usual popular attractions and a few new ones. Anyone
interested in having a stand or providing an attraction
please contact the Park Office on 01772 324436.
5 October 2008
Mersey Basin Campaign

Volunteer Working Party
Mersey Basin Campaign, Conservation Volunteers,
programme of events started off today with ten
Volunteers coming to help Ranger Richard Tanner clearing
and burning scrub behind the lake. The Trust provided
all the tools and gloves for the Volunteers and the
baked potatoes cooked in the fire for lunch. Lesley
Cryer, from the Campaign office, came to take some
photographs of the Volunteers at work as part of their
publicity and follow up report.
3 October 2008
Local Photographer on BBC

Bluebells in the woods at Cuerden Valley Park
Local Photographer, Sean Mantey, was recently interviewed on
BBC Lancashire
website and among his photographs are many taken on
Cuerden Valley Park. Sean's pictures show off the Park
from a variety of angles as seen here and we do
appreciate members of the public allowing us to use
these pictures in our publicity. To see more examples of
Sean's work then follow this link to his
website.
If you have any photographs you would like to share then
email them to admin@cuerdenvalleypark.org.uk.

Insect in
the Meadow
25 September 2008
A Good Days Work

EA
workers raking meadow
The local Environment
Agency Pollution Team have been hard at work down at the
Kem Mill site today, with Ranger Richard Tanner, raking
off the meadows and doing other environmental tasks. The
Trust appreciates it when enthusiastic groups, like the
Environment Agency, spend their teambuilding and
environmental leave days helping with the mammoth task
of keeping the Park in good order. If you would like to
do the same then please contact the Park Office on 01772
324436.
23 September 2008
Path and Car Park Closure
There will be a temporary
closure of part of the Berkeley Drive Car Park and the
main path from there down in to the valley. This will
take effect from 1 October 2008 and will last for a few
days whilst the contractors rebuild the path. Visitors
wishing to get down into the valley can still use the
path over the new bridge and we are sorry for any
inconvenience this may cause. Please contact the Park
Office if you have any queries regarding this.
22 September 2008
21 Top Dog Walks
There is still time to
vote for Cuerden Valley Park as one of the top dog walks
in the country visit their site on
www.21topdogwalks.co.uk and who knows we may come in the
top 21.
28 August 2008
Directions to the Park
Follow this link to our
Map Page and from there to the
new map giving directions to Cuerden Valley Park. We
receive a number of calls asking how to get here so now
you can find us on this website.
21 August 2008
Newsletter
Hot of the press today is
the Summer Newsletter from Cuerden Valley Park. Click
here to read it.
20 August 2008
BBC join the Bat Watch
The Friends of Cuerden
Valley Park invited bat expert, Joyce Gillies, to lead a
group on a bat watch in Cuerden Valley Park last night.
It was a very popular event with 33 adults and 5
children taking part, numbers being restricted meant
that a number of people who did not phone to book early
enough were disappointed. BBC Radio Lancashire's Tony
Rhodes, alias Baldrick, contacted the Park Office and
asked if he could come along with the outside broadcast
unit.
Park Administrator,
Lesley Russell took him to an ideal spot behind the lake
where they awaited the arrival of the bat watching
group. We went live on the air during John Barnes late
night show, sometime after after 10pm, with Joyce Gilles
giving the listeners an insight into the life of bats,
around half an hour later Richard Tanner told the
listeners about his work on the Park.
When listeners came back
after 11pm they could hear the sound from the bat
detector held by Joyce and Tony gave a description of
what was being seen and heard as the bats flew over the
lake. If you heard the broadcast then please get in
touch on our contacts page
and let us know what you thought and let BBC Radio
Lancashire know if you would like to hear more from the
Park. Those who missed it can hear it again before 10pm
today on
this link
by going into BBC Radio Lancashire listen again and
selecting John Barnes.
18 August 2008
Woodland Certification
Cuerden Valley Park staff
have just heard that they will receive the SGS Global
certification for Forest Management having been assessed
in April and found that it meets the requirements of a
well managed forest. See below for more information.
7 August 2008
Top Dog Walks
Thanks to Dave Carr from
Preston for putting forward Cuerden Valley Park as one
of the top 21 dog walks in the country, we have been
shortlisted and voting is now open for the public to
choose their favourite. Local dog walkers can vote for
Cuerden Valley Park on this link:
21 Top Dog Walks: Vote.
7 July 2008
Victorian Education Programme

During the past two weeks
the staff and volunteers under the guidance of Education
Officer, Pauline Taylor, have presented the Victorian
Education Experience to eight schools from Lancashire,
over nine days and involving 229 pupils in charcoal
burning, game keeping, ice cream making and gardening.
There are still a few places left for the programme in
September/October this year visit our education page for
more details on how to book your school in.
26 June 2008
Chorley Smile Awards
Representatives of
Cuerden Valley Park attended the awards presentation
ceremony at the Town Hall but unfortunately our
shortlisted nomination did not result in an award but
nevertheless it has enhanced our profile as a Trust in
working with the community.
20 June 2008
Lancashire Environmental Fund Event
Cuerden Valley Park Trust
were invited to the 10th Anniversary celebrations of the
Lancashire Environment Fund today and during the
proceedings they showcased their financial support of
the Trust's Trainee Ranger, Darren Williams, who now
holds a full time post as a Ranger at Cuerden Valley
Park.
14 June 2008
Cuerden Valley Fair
Visitors in their
hundreds flocked to Cuerden Valley Park for the Fair
which has been held in June for three years now and
becomes ever more popular.
Visitors enjoyed the
Penine Bowland Rescue Dogs Display team in the field
adjacent to Ice House Wood and live music from Trouble
at Mill in the restored Victorian Walled Orchard.
The larger marquee held
17 stalls and various other trade and promotion Stands
were strategically placed around the arboretum.
Woodland craft displays
went on throughout the day with examples of charcoal
burning, wheel making and willow weaving. Activities for
children included the Victorian fairground rides,
inflatable slide, climbing wall and Duke of Lancaster's
Regiment paintball range.
Feedback so far from
visitors, exhibitors, volunteers and staff has been very
encouraging for another event in June next year. Look
out for the forthcoming feature of the event.
12 June 2008
Chorley Smile Awards
Chorley Council have
short listed Cuerden Valley Park Trust for the Greener
Chorley Smile Award. Representatives of the Trust will
be attending the Awards Ceremony on Thursday 26 June at
the Town Hall.
This award is in
recognition of the Park's contribution to educating the
local community on how they can enjoy the Park and help
protect the environment.
Prospective Trustee,
Richard Davies and Company Secretary, Lesley Russell
worked on the 500 word submission and we are pleased
that the Council have acknowledged the work we do in
making a difference to the Borough of Chorley.
19 May 2008
Cuerden Valley Fair
With the Fair less than four
weeks away Staff at the Park are working hard to ensure
that you will have a good day out. You will have noticed
that the signs have gone out at the end of Shady Lane on
the A49 and by Town Brow Car Park. Posters are going up
in the local schools, libraries and businesses and out
on the Park. Look out for the flyers, which were
provided for us by the Walton Fox at Bamber Bridge, the
will be delivered to your door or available at
libraries, council offices or other business outlets. We
would like to thank the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist
Board for their support in promoting the event, B & Q,
Bamber Bridge and the Walton Fox for donating prizes for
the prize draw.
6 May 2008
Ice Cream Vendor
Visitors at the weekend
will have noticed a new attraction in the Park, situated
at the Picnic area is Mr Hunt with his ice cream stand.
Throughout the summer months at the weekend he will be
supplying our visitors with his wares and giving the
Park a small income as well. Using his bicycle means
that he in environmentally friendly and this ethos fits
in very well with the Park objectives.
28 April 2008
Woodland Audit
Following the visit by a
Woodland Audit inspector for
SGS Global, who are certifying woodlands under
UKWAS. We have
received a preliminary report in which we have been
recommended for certification. The report shows that
there were no Major Corrective Action Requests and only
a few minor ones which were mostly paperwork and
administration. The commendations, measured against
UKWAS, were given for management planning and
implementation overall, training and equipment, general
knowledge and awareness of forest management and
UKWAS,
interpretation for the public, environmental education,
sustainability and recycling, very high management
motivation and finally that Cuerden Valley is an
outstanding social asset for the Preston area. We now
have to wait for the full report and for
SGS Global to make the final decision on
certification.
25 April 2008
River Revetment Update
The revetment work carried
out on the riverbank in the winter and completed two
months ago has started to show the first signs of
success. The willow stakes that were driven into the
riverbed have now started to sprout and it is hoped that
as the months go by they will also take root and become
a stable base for the new riverbank. Walkers along the
main cycleway through the Park will be able to observe
the progress during each stage of the process.
20 April 2008
Cuerden Valley Fair
Things are now well under
way with the organisation and planning of our annual
event on the Park on the 14 June 2008. The ever popular
woodland craft demonstrations are booked for Ice House
Wood with the addition of a blacksmith, new for this
year. For your entertainment there will be live music by
Trouble at t'Mill in the award winning Walled Orchard,
falconry displays by Hawkshaws and a member of SARDA
will be giving a rescue dog display. The fairground
rides are returning and we also have a climbing wall and
inflatable slide this time. Local food and craft vendors
will occupy the marquee again and a variety of
promotional stand and trade outlets will be here.
Following on from comments at last year's Lancashire
Fair we have increased the outlets for food, drink and
especially ice cream. A great day out for all the
family, we are looking to achieve attendance in excess
of 3,000 people as we have in the past two years. Please
contact us if you would like
a stand, want to volunteer, are willing to sponsor the
event in some way or promote the event in your area.