Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM)
Don’t Let the Variable Autumn Weather Dampen your Spirits!
From the Chair
As I write this, I’m seeing yet another ‘Yellow Warning for Rain’ and we’ve only just dried up following the flooding in the Town Centre, on Leftwich Meadows and at Anderton last weekend. Don’t let this stop you getting out in the Woodlands and enjoying spectacular autumn colours!
It was with regret that we learned that Jo Sayers is leaving The Mersey Forest after 25 years. Jo has been involved with FoAM since it was established 20 years ago. Throughout that time she has been a fantastistic supporter of FoAM and has helped with many events and fund raising opportunities. The series of five free Summer Family Events funded jointly by FoAM and The Mersey Forest were a great As a momento of our gratitude, we have given Jo a success and my thanks go to Mel Bradley who made splended looking bench made of yew from Northwich the events happen. We are now looking at whether Woodlands. I would like to take this opportunity of funding can be found for a programme of Family thanking Jo for all the help she’s given me, Ranger Events during summer 2020. Dave James, FoAM and all the volunteers over the years and to wish her well in her new job in Cumbria. My thanks also go to Mike Freeman and members of the Cheshire Bat Group for an entertaining and rd On 3 October I attended a meeting of the Steering informative Bat Talk and Walk on Thursday 12th Group of the Weaver / Gowy Catchment Partnership. September. The event was well attended and the The Partnership’s aims are to improve water quality images and videos of bats which the group showed and habitat in the catchment area and I’ll be adding were particularly popular. some of FoAM’s habitat improvement projects to its on-line, evidence-based StoryMap. On 12th and 13th October Ranger Dave James held a successful event, Woodworking at the Northwich th On 16 October, I attended the Local Nature Woodlands. This was only made possible through the Partnership (LNP) Conference, organised by The regular wood working volunteers helping Dave with Mersey Forest and hosted by Chester Zoo. There the event. were interesting and thought provoking presentations on natural capital (the world’s stocks of natural In addition to the above events, FoAM also held a assets), climate change and the implications for land Mammal Trapping at Marbury event on 28th use. The Conference ended with a panel discussion September, an Autumn Bird Walk on 13th October and chaired by Charlie Seward, Deputy Chief Executive, a Trees in the Park event on 27th October. My thanks Cheshire West and Chester Council. to Jim Jeeves, David Bullock and Mary Jeeves for organising the events and also to John Gilbody for th Wednesday 16 October saw the return of the leading the Bird Walk. Council’s Insight and Intelligence Team for another volunteering day to work alongside the regular Alan Redley volunteers in the Woodlands. 1 www.foam.merseyforest.org.uk email: [email protected]
Badgers in the Park
An exciting new project has just completed its first phase in the Northwich Woodlands – vaccinating the badger population with the aim of reducing the spread of bovine Tuberculosis (bTB).
The programme is being run with Cheshire Badger Vaccination Programme (http://www.cbvp.org.uk), Cheshire West and Chester Council and volunteers at Northwich Woodlands.
The whole process required a significant amount of preparation long before any actual vaccination took place – the pre-baiting (this is making sure there is How successful was this phase? 25 badgers were food around to encourage the badgers to return on a vaccinated – and 5 liked the whole process so much, regular basis), trapping and vaccination phases they came back for more – luckily there are measures require significant numbers of helpers too – nearly in place to ensure they don’t get a double dose of the always volunteers. vaccine!
In this first phase in the Northwich Woodlands, a large Will it be happening again? – Yes! For the programme number of the volunteers (all who come to the park on to be successful, it must be repeated each year for 4 a regular basis to volunteer) offered their help over years. Does it cost much? Far, far less than culling – nearly two weeks in the locating of active setts, pre- and the badger gets to live! baiting, installing the traps and, finally, cleaning the traps (the traps have to be disinfected with a pretty Who pays? Part of the costs are covered by Defra, and unpleasant smelling substance – it doesn’t smell of in this case, CW&C helped too, but CBVP must pine!) provide significant funding for this to be successful.
It is important to realise that badgers are very powerful It is important to realise: creatures, but incredibly timid. The traps being used The programme is organised by volunteers, run by are large and heavy and designed to ensure even a volunteers and supported by volunteers. fully-grown badger is not kept in a space which prevents movement – and there are very strict If you wish to help, please contact: guidelines as to how long a badger can be left in the Cheshire Badger Vaccination Programme trap. None of the people involved in this programme (http://www.cbvp.org.uk) would have accepted or tolerated any inhumane conditions. Graham Walker
The Woodlands in Late Autumn and Winter – What to Look For
Visitors to the Woodlands at this time of year will not On the Mere at Marbury you could see a little egret be disappointed; there is always plenty of interest to and, if very lucky, the bittern, which has been reported see if you look carefully. to be back this year. Also, look out for fieldfares and redwings. As the leaves fall, creating carpets of copper, the trees take on different silhouettes, but also open up more One of our expert birders, on a morning walk as viewpoints. At ground level in the Arboretum there are recently as September noted 52 different species of still fresh looking fungi to discover. birds!
Don’t think you must be mistaken if you spot what seems to be a white squirrel at Marbury. Two have been seen after a gap of several years.
But for the real spectacle, late November or early December is when the miraculous starling murmurations usually start appearing late in the afternoon, just before dusk, over the Mere and the Flashes. A truly wondrous sight.
So, wrap up warm, explore and enjoy!
pestle puffballs 2 www.foam.merseyforest.org.uk email: [email protected]
News of Work in the Woodlands
Anderton Nature Park
In late autumn and early winter the volunteers are Several large trees from alongside the path were felled called upon for major work in clearing various sites in and several areas of the bank were cleared to open up the Woodlands. One of the projects this year has viewpoints. The chipper came into is own for this concentrated on opening up the path alongside Witton project to clear the huge amount of foliage taken Brook from the Sand Martin panel to Carden Ferry down. Extra care was taken, during these operations, Bridge. to safeguard members of the public in Anderton at the time.
Ashton’s Flash
It hardly seems possible that it is almost a year since Without the enthusiasm and hard work of the various the CW&C Insight and Intelligence Team’s volunteer Communty groups who volunteer to spend a day with day at Ashton’s Flash for scrub bashing. We were us, our task would be even more difficult. So thank delighted to welcome them back. Working alongside you for your stirling efforts. The photos would indicate our regular volunteers, a huge clearance was made of that you also enjoyed your day. Do come back in the willow and nightmarish hawthorn which had Spring to see the orchids and helleborines which thrive overtaken the Flash again in such a short time. on the Flash.
It is appropriate to emphasise how vital to the upkeep of the Northwich Woodlands is the part played by volunteers, who turn out in all weathers and rarely complain about the tasks which are set them.
3 www.foam.merseyforest.org.uk email: [email protected]
Summer Family Events at Marbury Park 2019
As part of FoAM’s 20th anniversary and The Mersey “We went to the free activity craft event today and Forest’s 25th year of delivery, a series of fun and free despite the rain it was extremely well organised, my family activity days took place this summer at Marbury little girl who is 9 absolutely loved it. Brilliant few hours. Park. More than 300 people discovered, created and Well done.” investigated a host of activities all with a green theme. The events were designed to attract family groups, to People who had not been to Marbury before were be fun and environmentally friendly, to help people welcome to come along. Those who had visited connect to nature and to get active. before were encouraged to extend their visit and explore more of Northwich Woodlands. Many people brought their picnics as well as their children, grandchildren, bikes and dogs and made a day of it:
“An amazing group of volunteers who care about the local community and organise events for like minded people.”
Supported by the Friends of Anderton & Marbury and The Mersey Forest, activities were led by Tim Kirwin from Little Leigh and Sue Marsden from Comberbach.
Some great feedback and lots of photographs can be found on the FoAM Facebook page. We’re hoping to Bushcraft activities such as paper making, bows and repeat the family activity days next summer. arrows, flower sculptures, leaf rubbing, painting and willow sculpture were just some of the activities Melanie Bradley visitors enjoyed. And it went down well with families:
Small Mammal Trapping Event
23 people came along on the morning of Saturday 28th September to see what we'd caught in our (humane) small mammal traps. The traps had been baited with seed mix, apples and casters (fly pupae) as well as dry hay bedding.
We caught wood mouse and bank vole. We couldn't find one of the traps during the event and after everyone had gone, we searched, finding it complete with field vole.
Although we didn't catch many individuals, everyone got a close-up view and had the opportunity to ask Melanie Bradley questions and chat about the creatures. .. Bat Talk and Walk
Inclusion of the Bat Talk and Walk after a break of a Following the event, I received this email from a family few years proved a great success. 30 people who had come to Marbury that evening. assembled in the Cabin to hear Mike Freeman’s introductory talk, and one of Mike’s colleagues was ‘Just to say thank you all so much for the bat walk and talk able to take advantage of the large screen to show last night. My husband, three children, and I absolutely amazing videos of bats in flight. loved it and learned so much! We would be very interested in any future events.’
Joining Mike were several volunteers from the I look forward to welcoming Charlotte and her family to future Cheshire Bat Group. After handing out bat detectors events. I think we will be hoping to include another Bat Talk and demonstrating how they operated, Mike and the and Walk in next year’s programme. volunteers led small groups down to the Mere side, where we were able to pick up the sounds of bats and Joanne Redley even to actually spot them.
4 www.foam.merseyforest.org.uk email: [email protected]
Big Alex – The Marbury Hall Alexander
The Marbury History pages on our website continue to Locals would pose with the monumental statue but the attract worldwide interest and recently enabled an celebrity status of Alexander did not last, however, Antiquities Specialist from Christie’s New York to when Marbury was purchased in 1961. contact us. The researcher was seeking information as part of cataloguing the provenance of a statue Marbury Hall was demolished at the end of 1968 and which once stood in the courtyard by the stables at an article in Cheshire Life from February 1969, ‘The Marbury. Death of Marbury’, reveals that the remaining artworks were relegated to ‘a heap in the woods from where they were sold’.
The statue, known locally as ‘Big Alex’, was part of the Regular volunteer Graham Stones recalls sitting on renowned collection of ancient sculpture at Marbury the shoulders of Big Alex and remembers Big Alex and Hall collected by the Honourable James Hugh Smith four other sculptures being removed from the site Barry (1746-1801) in the 18th century. following demolition of Marbury Hall.
Some works were sold around the time of the estate The head from the statue has now come back onto the sale in 1932 while other items were presumably kept international market at a Christie’s auction in New within the family and a few remained at Marbury, York – “Faces of the Past – Ancient Sculpture From including Big Alex. The Collection of Dr. Anton Pestalozzi”.
Photo Courtesy of Christie’s
Catalogue item 313 lists: “A Monumental Roman Marble Portrait Head of Alexander The Great, late Antonine period to early Severan period, circa late 2nd – early 3rd century A.D., with a guide price $800,000 to $1,200,000.
Alan Redley Joan Campbell and Barbara Prescott – 19 August 1968
5 www.foam.merseyforest.org.uk email: [email protected]
Elm Tree Project
The white-letter hairstreak butterfly breeds on mature elm trees and is difficult to spot as it flies around the tree tops, occasionally coming down to ground level to feed on nectar from flowers.
White-letter hairstreak butterfly
The species declined in the 1970’s, when its food Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ tree plants were reduced by Dutch Elm Disease, which Dame Judi Dench at the Chelsea Flower Show also threatens the butterfly in Northwich Woodlands. Since the Summer Newsletter, pledges towards Since the 1970’s the population of white-letter FoAM’s total project cost of £2,400 to plant 20 Ulmus hairstreak butterflies in England and Wales has ‘New Horizon’ trees have increased from £850 to declined by 93% and Butterfly Conservation have £2,000 and an order for the trees has been placed with given it a high priority conservation status. Hillier Nurseries.
Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ is a variety of elm completely Delivery is planned for Wednesday 20th November resistant to Dutch Elm Disease and breeding white- and work is underway to clear a space for planting letter hairstreaks have been monitored by Butterfly along Marbury Lane. Conservation on a stand of the trees in Vauxhall Spring Gardens, London. Alan Redley
“White Lady” – Marbury Textiles Group Art Project
As part of their remediation work, INOVYN are funding Their project is supported by Ranger Dave James, a project to create a tree sculpture depicting the who approached INOVYN for £500 funding as another “Marbury Lady”, a ghostly figure claimed to haunt part of its remediation work. In addition, FoAM has Marbury. given a donation of £500 towards the total project cost.
Hearing of this, the Marbury Textiles Group were Brenda Yates and Graham Walker are assisting the inspired to set up their own art project based around Group to help develop the project. the “Marbury White Lady” and other themes associated with Marbury. Alan Redley
The Dogs of Marbury Park Book Project
Since the last newsletter, Liz and Mark Cottrill have There are a total of 112 pages in the book and it has published the book and are distributing the last dozen been well received – so much so that there is a move of the ordered copies. to produce a 2020 edition. Liz and Mark are not sure about this, but do have a working title of “More Tails of Marbury Park”!
Each contributor has paid £2.50 directly to FoAM for a single page and copies of the book are still available at £16 (£15 production cost and £1 to FoAM).
To purchase one of the remaining copies please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
Alan Redley
6 www.foam.merseyforest.org.uk email: [email protected]
Future Events to Look Forward to
Talk on the History of Marbury Hall, Parkland and Gardens Monday, 18th November
This is an illustrated talk based on extensive research by a group of members of FoAM into the history of Marbury Country Park from its earliest time to the present day. Elsewhere in the newsletter you will see the latest fascinating news on one of the sculptures in the collection at the Hall. Meet: 7.45 pm Comberbach Memorial Hall For information contact: Mary Jeeves 01606 77688
Christmas Decorations Workshop Sunday 15th December
This is our annual workshop which uses natural materials gathered from the woodlands to create stunning Christmas decorations for your home. We provide wooden bases and candles for table arrangements. We use hazel and dogwood stems for wreaths – we make some or you can make your own. From 10.00 am – 12.00 pm at the Rangers’ Cabin/Marbury Lodge For information contact: Joanne Redley 01606 44728 or email: [email protected]
Photographic Competition 2020
FoAM will be holding its biennial Photographic Competition in 2020.
This is a competition for any photographic print taken in the Northwich Woodlands. Entries are invited from photographers of all ages and abilities.
Entries will be judged in 4 categories: Landscape, Wildlife (flora) Wildlife (fauna) and Work, Rest and Play. Up to 4 entries may be submitted per entrant. These can be all in one category or split between categories in any way.
An Exhibition of all entries will be held at Comberbach Memorial Hall early in 2021.
Full details can be found in Photographic Competition Rules 2020, available on the FoAM website.
Hedge Laying
If you have walked along Marbury Lane recently you may have noticed a wonderful stretch of new hedgelaying. This masterpiece was created by a team from Barclay’s Bank on one of their volunteer days, under the expert tutelage of Dave James and volunteer Steve Head.
Congratulations to all involved in creating such a splendid piece of work.
Your Newsletter We welcome comments, ideas, photos and articles for inclusion in future issues of the Newsletter. Email items to Joanne Redley at [email protected] or hand them in at the Rangers’ Cabin marked for the attention of Joanne. Items deadline for the Winter Issue: Friday 3rd January.
7 www.foam.merseyforest.org.uk email: [email protected]
Autumn Tree Walk
What a difference a day makes! After a dull, dismal, origin. The rare Handerkerchief tree (Davidia wet Saturday, univiting for a walk, Sunday was a involucrata or Dove tree or Ghost tree) which comes lovely, sunny morning, and a keen group had from South China is one. There is a dramatic story of assembled for Mary’s Tree Walk. We concentrated on botanist Ernest Wilson in 1899 on a first trip abroad, the Arboretum, and the area close by, to look at the speaking no Chinese, setting of for a remote region of more recently planted trees. These included trees China in search of a tree described by Father Armand planted around 1985 that had multi-sensory appeal David, a French priest and naturalist. After attacks by and provided interest throughout the seasons. outlaws and plague, on arriving at the tree’s location he found it had been felled to build a house. Fortunately he later found a grove of trees. On returning to Britain he had his boat wrecked, but managed to save the seeds.
The Japanese flowering cherry, which is planted in many Japanese cities is a symbol of the Emperor, and its falling petals represent Samurai who fell in battle. Yellow berries are not as attractive to birds as red, so the yellow-berried rowan (mountain ash) keeps its berries longer. The western hemlock, is from the Pacific coast of North America. North American Indians made a kind of bread from its bark! The Katsura, from China and Japan has a caramel scent released by its yellowing autumn foliage.
Mary always provides such interesting information Almost every tree can tell a story; these are just a few about each tree, often fascinating historical facts on its examples from a most enjoyable walk. Thank you Mary.
We hope you will return to the Park in Spring to see the trees If you haven’t managed to join us for a walk, we now have a with their fresh green foliage and spring blossom. You might leaflet ‘Trees in Marbury Park’ which includes a map for a even catch sight of a hawfinch! self guided walk. This is available from the Rangers’ Cabin.
8 www.foam.merseyforest.org.uk email: [email protected]