News Archive

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On Saturday the Cuerden Watch group had a great time learning about bees and, adequately protected, looked closely at some honey bees.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Visit our Pictures Page to see what has been happening on the Park over the past few months. Link here to see them.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Catch up with what has been happening on the Park in the new pictures here on the Pictures Page.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The latest Newsletter is now available to collect from the Barn or to download here.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The pictures page has been updated today with some things which have been happening on the Park in the last four months.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

26 July 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 2008

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.