News Archive

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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 an ideal spot to sit and take a moment or two as you walk through the Park.

The latest newsletter from Cuerden Valley Park is now available on this website click here.

Cuerden Valley Park Rangers were pleased to take delivery of a brand new 6X6 Polaris Sportsman 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Mysterious goings-on in Walled Orchard

The Friends of Cuerden Valley Park are to host a Murder Mystery Evening on Tuesday, 28th August. It is hoped that one of the scenes will take place outdoors in our Victorian Walled Orchard.

Starting at 7.15 p.m. in The Barn on Berkeley Drive, the evening will conclude with "who done it" and a buffet. Tickets are just £5.50 and can be obtained by contacting the Park Office on 01772 324436.

Join the Friends and support the Park

Many visitors to our Lancashire Fair recently were surprised to learn that the Park does not receive any funding from local or County Councils to fund the up-keep of the Park, or from wildlife charities and trusts to maintain wildlife habitats. We welcome any help Park users can offer, including volunteering, making a donation to the Park directly or by joining the 'Friends' group.

The Friends annual subscription is just £15.00 per household; visit the Friends page for more details.

Photographic Competition

The photographic competition held on the Park recently attracted some 150 entries, all to a high standard. Judges were impressed by the quality of many of the entries, including several youngsters in the Under 16 class. Judging was done by Chris Maguire the Editor of the Chorley Guardian, Tim Mitcham Head of Conservation for the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and our own David Beattie, a volunteer on the Park and Watchgroup Leader.

Winning and commended photographs will be on show in The Barn over the weekend of the 21st and 22nd July from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily. The exhibition will then move to Clayton Green Library for a week from Monday, 23rd July.

We have yet to decide to repeat the competition next year; more details soon.

Film Club record the Park

Euxton Film Club from Chorley are continuing to visit us on a regular basis, as part of a project to record the Park over a 12 month period. They hope to show the final version at a Friends event in February 2008.

1st May 2007

BBC to cover Lancashire Fair

BBC Radio Lancashire will be covering the Lancashire Fair in the Park on Saturday, 23rd June 2007. The BBC Bus will be broadcasting live throughout the day with popular presenter Sally Naden mingling with the visitors and exhibitors.

The full day will see a host of events and activities, ranging from an Army Assault Course, Falconry display, woodland crafts, a Brass Band and Morris Dancers, along with a ‘Made in Lancashire’ marquee with food and crafts. Whilst entrance to the Park will be free, there will be a charge to enter the central display area around the American Garden / Pinetum and Victorian Walled Orchard. Provisional entrance fees are £6.00 per family (2 adults + 2 children), with adults being charged £2.50 and children £1.00. All proceeds go to the Trust to help maintain the Park during the year.

If you would like to sponsor the event, advertise in the programme or on the day, or even exhibit a Lancashire related product, service, company or organisation, please contact our Development Officer, Steve Williams as soon as possible at the Park Office on 01772 324436 or e-mail info@cuerdenvalleypark.org.uk.

Get snappy! Last chance to enter Photographic Competition

The Park's photographic competition, launched in November last year, closes at the end of May.

Entry is free as long as the pictures are of the Park. There are three sections - Views, Wildlife and Under-16.

For rules and an entry form, please contact the Park Office on 01772 324436 or e-mail info@cuerdenvalleypark.org.uk.

Get fit on the Park!

On Saturday, 2nd June the Park will host a Health Awareness Day with displays and information in The Barn on Berkeley Drive, Bamber Bridge from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 pm.

At 1.00 p.m. there will be a number of activities participants can choose from including two walks (one gentle, one a little faster), and cycle rides around the Park. Free tea, coffee and soft drinks will be available during the day.

The events are being organised and run by Central Lancashire NHS Primary Care Trust staff and members of the 'Health on Wheels' team.

14th March 2007

Lambs spring a surprise

Park staff were surprised to see quads born to one of the Park's Jacob ewes this week.

Whilst multiple births in sheep, by way of twins or even triplets, is the norm these days quads are a very rare occurrence in any flock. Joe Brindle a member of the Park staff looking after the lambs said, "It is nice to happen but it does entail extra work as the ewe can only feed two lambs at a time. They are getting stronger by the day and will be seen out on the Park in the next week or so".

24th January 2007

New information boards go up around the Park

As part of our on-going restoration of features in the Park, we are replacing the old wooden information  boards (above left). Some of the boards have been in place since 1992 and are clearly showing their age, as well as containing out of date information.

Altogether, there will be 10 new boards strategically placed around the Park. Funding has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Park Staff erected the first two boards today, 24th January, and they hope to have the rest in place over the next few weeks. The new boards (above right) also have spaces for 3 x A4 posters, enabling us to publicise events as well as keep visitors informed of what's happening on the Park.

19th December 2006

New bridge opens up path to "hidden treasures"

After many months hard work by Park Staff and Volunteers, a new bridge over the River Lostock was opened to the Public yesterday, 18th December.

The footbridge is off the main pathway through the Park, halfway between the car park at Town Brow / Lancaster Lane and the picnic area / lake. As you go over the bridge a path leads up a slight incline, skirting Ice House Wood. It gives greater access to the Pinetum / American Garden as well as to the restored Victorian Walled Orchard - regular visitors to the Park describe these features as "hidden treasures".

Park Manager, Jim Longbottom said "the work was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of a three year project to restore many of the original features in the Park. We still have some work to do on the fencing and ask members of the Public not to stray off the new pathway as the adjacent wood is an important conservation area".

25th August 2006

Lancashire Fair date confirmed

Following a successful Green Fair in June 2006, Cuerden Valley Park Trust are to hold a Lancashire Fair on Saturday, 23rd June 2007.

The full day will see a host of events and activities, ranging from an Army Assault Course, Falconry display, woodland crafts, a Brass Band and Morris Dancers, along with a ‘Made in Lancashire’ marquee with food and crafts. Whilst entrance to the park will be free, there will be a charge to enter the central display area around The Barn Visitor Centre. Provisional entrance fees are £6.00 per family (2 adults + 2 children), with adults being charged £2.50 and children £1.00. All proceeds go to the Trust to maintain the park during the year.

If you would like to sponsor the event or exhibit a Lancashire related product, service, company or organisation, please contact our Development Officer, Steve Williams at the Park Office on 01772 324436 or e-mail info@cuerdenvalleypark.org.uk

Visitor Centre gets a make-over

The Park Visitor Centre in The Barn on Berkeley Drive, Bamber Bridge is undergoing a make-over during August and September. The Centre, jointly run by Cuerden Valley Park Trust and Lancashire Wildlife Trust (who have the Barn as their HQ building), will see improved display areas, a gallery showing the wildlife on the park and incorporate a small seating area where visitors can pause to take refreshment from the adjacent vending machine.

Park Development Officer, Steve Williams says “we have tried to zone the Visitor Centre and make it far more welcoming and informative for visitors”. As you come into the Centre, a 3D map of the park will be supplemented with pictures of the main features around the 650 acres.

It is hoped that the work will be completed by the end of September.

Users give Park the ‘thumbs-up’

Following a survey conducted during July, visitors have given the park a massive vote of confidence. Nearly 95% of users questioned gave the Park either “Excellent” or “Good” satisfaction rating.

Interestingly nearly 49% thought the park was “Council owned” (it isn’t - it is a Charitable Trust). Following on from same, 71% said they would consider making a donation to the park for its up-keep.

Park Manager, Jim Longbottom said “The staff appreciate the feed back and are pleased that users are happy in the way the park is maintained. We like to keep it looking well, thanks also to people who tidy up after themselves and their pets”.

To make a donation, go to our Fundraising page.

© 2007 Cuerden Valley Park Trust

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

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

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