News Archive

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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!

The Volunteers were out in force again today, following their session of tree planting last moth 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 20088

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hot of the press today is the Summer Newsletter from Cuerden Valley Park. Click here to read it.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Trust is currently undergoing a process of certification for the approximately 120 acres of woodlands within the Park. Under the UK Woodland Assurance Standard woodlands throughout the United Kingdom are being assessed. This scheme will monitor and evaluate the processes of woodland management in operation within the Park and ensure that they meets the standards of sustainability required for certification. For more information on UKWAS link here.

The ever popular Victorian Education Programme for this summer has now been fully booked so the Education Officer, Pauline Taylor, has decided to open another week in April, so from 29 April to 2 May 2008 we can take bookings from primary schools who would like to bring their pupils to take part in this experience.

Look out Peter he's behind you

Regular Cuerden Valley Park Volunteers Peter, Bob and Adrian worked with Ranger Darren Williams to put in a new replacement bench at Claytonfields today. Using the Quad bike to transport all the tools and materials on site enabled them to complete the work in good time. Giving a lovely view over the valley it is a ideal spot to sit and take a moment or two as you walk through the Park.

14 February 2008

Cuerden Valley Park Rangers were pleased to take delivery of a brand new 6X6 Palaris Sportman today, supplied by the Rocket Centre in Blackburn and paid for by the Awards for All grant received last month. This vehicle is invaluable in moving equipment and materials to the more inaccessible parts of the Park to allow Volunteers and Park workers to do essential maintenance and repair work.

12th February 2008

Oops!!

Cuerden Valley Park are pleased to announce a new arrival, among our small flock of Jacob Sheep, of one lamb born to ewe number 8 today. The pregnancy was not part of our planned breeding schedule, as the first expected lambing is not until 1 March 2008. Ranger Richard Tanner, who oversees the mating of the ewes in the autumn, believes that this ewe came into season early and one of last season's ram lambs did the deed before he was sent to market.

Louise Cluett has moved up from Hampshire to join the staff at Cuerden Valley Park, as an Estate Worker, from today. She is new to the area so visitors to the Park need to make her feel welcome when they see her about the Park working with the Rangers. More information on Louise will be posted to the staff page in the near future.

Cuerden Valley Park Officers were alerted to a blog on the internet this week called Preston Walkies, where dog walkers were invited, in 2007, to vote for one of ten places which were good for dogs. Although the poll was a low one Cuerden Valley Park took one third of the votes and was at the top. This blog can be visited at this link, which praises the Park for it's accessibility and features for dogs and their owners to enjoy.

Torrential rain over the weekend and into Monday meant that the River Lostock rose by around four feet on Monday morning bursting it's banks and flooding the picnic area in the centre of the Park and and Lower Kem Mill at the south end.

The Park Manager said he had see it worse but decided that the extent of the floods and the fast flowing water were a hazard to the public. The decision was made late morning that the Park should be closed for the safety of Park users. The Park Rangers taped off the gate entrances, from mid day until four in the afternoon, to deter people from entering the Park.

When the rain stopped the river soon returned to it's usual course. The cycle path was worn away in one place and the path up to the Pineatum from the new bridge sustained more extensive damage.

Park Rangers have been busy this week installing a new dog bin and litter bin in the valley, near the picnic area. New dog bins have also been installed on the path between Covert Pond and Town Brow Car Park and on the path from Wigan Road Car Park. This work has been done in response to Park user requests. The Park Rangers have responsibility for emptying the bins and clearing up the litter that is dropped in the Park. We need some Volunteers to help us with litter picking and monitoring damage and deterioration to Park structures. Anyone interested in Volunteering on the Park please contact us on 01772 324436.

Education Officer, Pauline Taylor, has returned today from her three month sabbatical to visit family in the USA, she is updating the system to take school bookings for 2008. Primary Schools in Lancashire will soon start arranging their visits for our popular environmental education programmes such as Rivers and Pond Dipping. We are now looking for Volunteers for the Victorian Experience weeks in June/July so if you have some free time, like to dress up and work with children then contact Pauline on a Monday or Thursday on 01772 324436, Criminal Records Bureau checks are required for anyone working with children.

Cuerden Valley Park have received a grant from Awards for All to obtain equipment for the Rangers and Volunteers and signage for the benefit of Park users. The money will be spent over the coming months to purchase a new quad bike to help transport equipment and supplies around the Park. A chainsaw and safety equipment for tree work and a small generator for power tools used on the Park. We will also purchase some new two way radios to allow staff and volunteers to keep in touch as they work in isolated areas. Finally following requests from the Park users we will be putting in new finger signposts and small signs on the 30+ gate entrances to welcome people to Cuerden Valley Park.

This week our Park Manager with staff and volunteers have been disrupting the traffic on Back Lane, with traffic lights, whilst they carry out tree work. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused but following a tree risk assessment there was a need to carry out this essential work, for the safety of the pedestrians and drivers who use Back Lane. You will be pleased to hear that work will be finished today and the traffic lights will be removed. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Recent visitors to our car parks on Town Brow, Kem Mill, Wigan Road and Stag Lodge will have noticed a change to the height barriers. Following successful applications to local Councillors we received a sum of money that enabled us to ask Lancashire County Council signs department to make and erect them for us. These signs came about in response to surveys of Park users giving a bright welcome and information to the public.

We have received notice today of the passing away of John Blundell, one of our Trustees and Vice Chairman of the Friends of Cuerden Valley Park. He was a hard working and much respected member of the Trust and will be missed by all the Staff and Trustees. His involvement in all aspects of the park from fundraising to supporting events and activities showed his dedication to the role that he assumed. Our condolences go out to his wife and family in their bereavement at this time.

Councillors from Lancashire County Council, Chorley Council, South Ribble Borough Council, Clayton le Woods Parish Council, Whittle le Woods Parish Council and Cuerden Parish Council were invited to attend a presentation at the Barn yesterday evening. There was at least one representative from each organisation  and the evening was hosted by Councillor Mick Muncaster, who sits on Chorley Council, for Clayton le Woods and Cuerden, and is a Parish Councillor for Clayton le Woods, he is a also a Trustee of Cuerden Valley Park. Jim Longbottom, the Park Manager, gave a power point presentation explaining to the councillors, who we were, what we do and most importantly how we were funded. The Chairman of Trustees, Ian Dibben, told the assembled group some of the challenges we face as a charitable trust and asked for the help and support of the local community. A question and answer session was followed by refreshments with the councillors mingling and talking with the Trustees and Staff. The evening was a great success with positive feedback from all who attended and we thank them came for their contribution to the evening and promises of future support.

Ranger Malcolm Armstrong has left us for a new post in Cumbria and we wish him well in the future. One of the Estate Workers, Darren Williams, previously our Trainee Ranger under the LEF grant award, has been promoted to Ranger. We now have a vacancy for an Estate Worker, applications submissions close on 7 December.

Cuerden Valley Park and the Environment Agency Volunteers were featured last night on the BBC's The Nature of Britain. The segment was shown as part of the ten minute regional section at the end of programme.

Hot of the press yesterday are our three new Discovery Trail brochures, the final part of our Heritage Lottery funded Restoration Project. Each brochure guides you throughout and gives you a map, with numbered key sites and the background information about them. For a voluntary donation you can discover Cuerden Valley Park in the following ways.

Discovery Trail 1: Secrets in the Landscape which takes you on a 3-4 four hour stroll around the historical sites of the Park.

Discovery Trail 2: Cuerden's Historic Gardens where you can spend around an hour exploring the gardens at the heart of the Park.

Discovery Trail 3: Cuerden's Natural World allows you an hour or two looking at the diversity, habitat and wildlife that abounds in the Cuerden Valley.

To pick up your copy call in at the Barn on Berkeley Drive and ask at reception.

The Lancashire Fair on Saturday, 23rd June was blessed with good weather and attracted nearly 4,000 visitors.

The 'Made in Lancashire' produce marquee was very busy throughout the day with some stall holders selling out by mid-afternoon. Brindle Brass Band entertained visitors in the walled orchard during the afternoon whilst Royal Preston Morris Men attracted crowds each time they performed. The Army's paint ball shooting range was popular with adults and children alike, as was various woodland crafts displays in our Ice House Wood. BBC Radio Lancashire interviewed visitors and exhibitors with presenter Steve Lowe doing his show live for two hours from the Park.

Money raised from the day will go towards replacing steps, footpaths and guide rails on the Park.

We intend to hold a similar event next year called the 'Cuerden Fair' on Saturday, 14th June 2008.

© 2009 Cuerden Valley Park Trust

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

Cuerden Valley Park Trust is a registered Charity (number 1002888) and a Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1994107. Registered office: 4 Southport Road, Chorley, Lancs. PR7 1LD. VAT number 636 2831 36

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