News Archive
14 September 2009
Fungal Foray
The weather was good
yesterday which brought a number of people out to join
Dr Irene Ridge on a walk through the Park to discover
the wide variety of fungi that we have on our site.
Guided by Dr Ridge the members of the public were
encouraged to taste some of the edible fungi and were
given an insight into how to recognise the different
species.
6 September 2009
Conservation Volunteers
The Cuerden Valley Park
Sunday Conservation Group were active on the Park today
with balsam bashing in the morning and cutting back the
willow and alder after lunch. Six of our regulars turned
out along with Vicky, a new Conservation Volunteer
gleaned from the attendees at Friday's Strategy
Presentation.
5 September 2009
Watch Group going Batty
The Cuerden wildlife
watch group were on the Park this evening with their
leader, David Beattie, for a barbecue and bat watch. The
weather held fair for them and they had a great time.
4 September 2009
Strategy Presentation to the VIPs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Volunteers were out
in force again today, following their session of tree
planting last 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.
24 February 2009
New Trustees
Following the resignation
of one of our Trustees we recently began a recruiting
drive with posters on the Park and advertisements on the
website. We were very pleased to receive seven enquiries
to our advertising followed by six completed application
forms. Four of those six, who first of all attended
meetings as observers, put their names forward for
election to the Board. Our new Trustees are Terry Marsh
a self employed writer and photographer on the outdoors
and Travel, Conrad Hayton an Independent Financial
Adviser, Terry Jolly who retired in 2007 from being a
Programme Manager with BAE Systems and finally Richard
Crompton who has had a long standing relationship of
volunteer work with the Trust and works as an Account
Manager with Concanteno Altrix. They were co-opted onto
the Board this week at the Trustees Meeting and welcomed
by the Chairman.
5 February 2009
Pictures Page
This web builder has
finally got around to updating the "pictures"
page, since I took over managing the site in
2007 I have been making changes to each page and trying
to keep everything up to date. I have turned the order
of the pictures upside down and instead of recent
visitors at the bottom I have put pictures of things
that have happened recently at the top. I have also put
the pictures of wildlife next and changed the majority
of them and last but not least pictures from around the
park including areas that have been worked on by the
staff recently. The pictures page was the last one to be
given an overhaul so please have a look and tell me what
you think by using the contact
us page.
5 February 2009
BBC Radio Lancashire on the Park

For those of you who were
listening to Ted Robins programme this morning between
10.30am and 11.00am you would have heard roving reporter
David Saville interviewing the Park Manager, Jim
Longbottom, out in the Park with the ewes and newborn
lambs. For those of you who missed it you can hear it
replayed on the BBC Radio Lancashire website over the
next 24 hours.
2 February 2009
Winter in Cuerden

Cuerden Valley Park woke
up this morning to a covering of snow and in spite of
the weather all members of staff reported for work. The
lambs are faring well and the work of the Park Rangers
goes on. There have been sightings of sledges being
ridden down the hill and the regular dog walkers are out
as usual.
1 February 2009
Conservation Volunteers Planting Trees

A big thank you goes out
to the thirteen Conservation Volunteers who came today
to help Ranger Richard Tanner plant 600 saplings and put
tree guards round them. Working up in the North West
Quadrant of the Park, in spite of the bitterly cold
weather, it remained fine and dry to enable them to
complete their session, well done.
30 January 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

Volunteer Working Party
Mersey Basin Campaign, Conservation Volunteers,
programme of events started off today with ten
Volunteers coming to help Ranger Richard Tanner clearing
and burning scrub behind the lake. The Trust provided
all the tools and gloves for the Volunteers and the
baked potatoes cooked in the fire for lunch. Lesley
Cryer, from the Campaign office, came to take some
photographs of the Volunteers at work as part of their
publicity and follow up report. 3 October 20088
Local Photographer on BBC

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

Insect in
the Meadow 25 September 2008
A Good Days Work

EA
workers raking meadow
The local Environment
Agency Pollution Team have been hard at work down at the
Kem Mill site today, with Ranger Richard Tanner, raking
off the meadows and doing other environmental tasks. The
Trust appreciates it when enthusiastic groups, like the
Environment Agency, spend their teambuilding and
environmental leave days helping with the mammoth task
of keeping the Park in good order. If you would like to
do the same then please contact the Park Office on 01772
324436.
23 September 2008
Path and Car Park Closure
There will be a temporary
closure of part of the Berkeley Drive Car Park and the
main path from there down in to the valley. This will
take effect from 1 October 2008 and will last for a few
days whilst the contractors rebuild the path. Visitors
wishing to get down into the valley can still use the
path over the new bridge and we are sorry for any
inconvenience this may cause. Please contact the Park
Office if you have any queries regarding this.
22 September 2008
21 Top Dog Walks
There is still time to
vote for Cuerden Valley Park as one of the top dog walks
in the country visit their site on
www.21topdogwalks.co.uk and who knows we may come in the
top 21.
28 August 2008
Directions to the Park
Follow this link to our
Map Page and from there to the
new map giving directions to Cuerden Valley Park. We
receive a number of calls asking how to get here so now
you can find us on this website.
21 August 2008
Newsletter
Hot of the press today is
the Summer Newsletter from Cuerden Valley Park. Click
here to read it.
20 August 2008
BBC join the Bat Watch

The Friends of Cuerden
Valley Park invited bat expert, Joyce Gillies, to lead a
group on a bat watch in Cuerden Valley Park last night.
It was a very popular event with 33 adults and 5
children taking part, numbers being restricted meant
that a number of people who did not phone to book early
enough were disappointed. BBC Radio Lancashire's Tony
Rhodes, alias Baldrick, contacted the Park Office and
asked if he could come along with the outside broadcast
unit.
Park Administrator,
Lesley Russell took him to an ideal spot behind the lake
where they awaited the arrival of the bat watching
group. We went live on the air during John Barnes late
night show, sometime after after 10pm, with Joyce Gilles
giving the listeners an insight into the life of bats,
around half an hour later Richard Tanner told the
listeners about his work on the Park.
When listeners came back
after 11pm they could hear the sound from the bat
detector held by Joyce and Tony gave a description of
what was being seen and heard as the bats flew over the
lake. If you heard the broadcast then please get in
touch on our contacts page
and let us know what you thought and let BBC Radio
Lancashire know if you would like to hear more from the
Park. Those who missed it can hear it again before 10pm
today on
this link
by going into BBC Radio Lancashire listen again and
selecting John Barnes.
18 August 2008
Woodland Certification
Cuerden Valley Park staff
have just heard that they will receive the SGS Global
certification for Forest Management having been assessed
in April and found that it meets the requirements of a
well managed forest. See below for more information.
7 August 2008
Top Dog Walks
Thanks to Dave Carr from
Preston for putting forward Cuerden Valley Park as one
of the top 21 dog walks in the country, we have been
shortlisted and voting is now open for the public to
choose their favourite. Local dog walkers can vote for
Cuerden Valley Park on this link:
21 Top Dog Walks: Vote.
5 August 2008
New Feature on Cuerden Valley Fair
Click here for a link to our new
features page.
7 July 2008
Victorian Education Programme

During the past two weeks
the staff and volunteers under the guidance of Education
Officer, Pauline Taylor, have presented the Victorian
Education Experience to eight schools from Lancashire,
over nine days and involving 229 pupils in charcoal
burning, game keeping, ice cream making and gardening.
There are still a few places left for the programme in
September/October this year visit our education page for
more details on how to book your school in.
26 June 2008
Chorley Smile Awards
Representatives of
Cuerden Valley Park attended the awards presentation
ceremony at the Town Hall but unfortunately our
shortlisted nomination did not result in an award but
nevertheless it has enhanced our profile as a Trust in
working with the community.
20 June 2008
Lancashire Environmental Fund Event
Cuerden Valley Park Trust
were invited to the 10th Anniversary celebrations of the
Lancashire Environment Fund today and during the
proceedings they showcased their financial support of
the Trust's Trainee Ranger, Darren Williams, who now
holds a full time post as a Ranger at Cuerden Valley
Park.
14 June 2008
Cuerden Valley Fair

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

River Revetment by new bridge
Park Rangers and
Volunteers worked on the rebuilding of the riverbank by
the picnic area and near the new bridge last month, now
that this work is complete we will watch with
anticipation when the willow stakes used in the
revetment work take root into the bank to give it
support. Using only materials from the sustainable
managed woodland on the Park staff are very pleased with
the outcome. Watch out for the new features page about
this work coming shortly.20th February 2008
New Bench

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
Quad Bike from Awards for
All
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.
28th January 2008
New Estate Worker
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.
24th January 2008
Dog Walkers vote Park the
Best
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.
21st January 2008
Flood Closes Park

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.
17th January 2008
New Bins on the Park
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.
14th January 2008
Education Officer back from
USA
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.
3rd January 2008
Grant Application

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.
20th December 2007
Tree Work on Back Lane

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.
10th December 2007
New Car Park Height Barriers

Cllr Mark Perks & Chairman Ian
Dibben
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.
A Sad Day for the Trust

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.
30th November 2007
Councillors invited to the Park

Cllr Mick Muncaster
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.
23rd November 2007
Staff Changes on the Park
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.
15th November 2007
Cuerden Valley Park on BBC
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.
25th October 2007
Not Just a Walk in the Park
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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.
18th July 2007

Lancashire Fair a great success
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.
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