Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM) The Woodlands: a Haven at this Difficult Time Keep Social Distance and Keep Safe From the Chair After the exceptional spell of good weather in spring, it has been rather more mixed, with some hot, sunny spells but also some much-needed rain. This has been good for the elm avenue which we planted at the end of last year along Marbury Lane and also for the new planting which has been undertaken by Inovyn near the Community Orchard. The orchids this year at Anderton and the Flashes have been magnificent, including this specimen at Anderton Nature Park. View of Winnington from Anderton Many of the regular volunteers have been itching to get back to work and a week or so ago, Rangers’ Line Manager Rob Jones told me: “I’m just finalising the track and trace procedure which will allow volunteers back into our parks and open spaces. I appreciate this has been a difficult time for volunteers, who are frustrated that they are unable to re-engage with the outdoors. But we have a duty of care towards them and our officers, and ensuring the correct Covid-19 procedures are in place is There have been good numbers of dragonflies and paramount. PPE and sanitiser wipes are being damselflies at the Anderton Dragonfly Pond. A recent delivered to depots, and I hope to have all guidelines visit saw brown hawker and Emperor dragonflies in place by the end of the week. oviposting, a common darter emerging and black- tailed skimmer patrolling the pond. We are looking forward to welcoming our valued volunteers back ASAP” This newsletter includes an article by Chris Reiki describing some of the flowers and wildlife which could Dave James now has the guidelines and is looking to be seen in the Woodlands over the last few weeks. restart volunteering in the Woodlands shortly. Please do not turn up to volunteer unless he is expecting you. Tata Chemicals continue with demolition of some of the tall structures at Winnington Works and the views Finally, I would like to thank Debbie Antrobus for her of the Works from Anderton Nature Park are changing work as Membership Secretary over the past three rapidly. The visual links with the salt industry will soon years and welcome Jim Jeeves, who has taken over be lost and it will become difficult for visitors to gain an the role from her. understanding of the connections between the salt industry and the current landscape at Anderton. Alan Redley 1 www.foam.merseyforest.org.uk email: [email protected] Neighbours of Marbury Hall Jim and I have been members of Cheshire Gardens Richard was kind enough to give us a guided tour of Trust for five years. It is part of a network of county the park with its fine collection of trees. He also took trusts that make up The Garden Trust, the only UK us further out on the estate to the site of a monastic national charity dedicated to protecting and grange, now a designated Scheduled Monument, conserving our heritage of designed landscapes. consisting of a rectangular fishpond and a five-sided Local authorities have to consult the trust on any island surrounded by a rectangular moat. planning applications that affect gardens and landscapes listed on Historic England’s Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest. We enjoy the garden visits, the talks and the company of like-minded people. Some members have made their living from gardening; others are photographers, artists or history buffs who just love to research. Then there are those like us who are enthusiastic amateurs. One thing we all have in common is our love of parks and gardens. After a few months I became more interested in the research and joined the Research and Recording Group of about ten members. I was able to contribute to the final stages of the report on Marbury Country Park, which followed FoAM’s research into Marbury’s By contrast, Winnington Hall isn’t surrounded by history. parkland, but by a partly derelict industrial site. Few people might know of the existence of this Grade 1 Since then I have researched into Marbury’s Listed Tudor mansion with its 18th century extension, neighbours, Wincham and Belmont Halls, and I am designed by Samuel or James Wyatt, tucked away currently working on Winnington Hall. Whilst the amongst Tata’s chemical plant. emphasis is on parks and gardens, it needs to be put in context, so a summary of the history of each The Hall has had a string of owners and residents property forms the basis of the report. including: Sir Peter Warburton of Warburton and Arley, st who built the Tudor hall; Richard Pennant, 1 Baron Site visits can be exciting, which is perhaps why we try Penrhyn of Penrhyn Castle, who built the Wyatt Hall; st not to do them alone. The most memorable part of the John Stanley, 1 Baron Stanley of Alderley; 35 girls visit to Wincham Hall was struggling through dense and the staff of Winnington Hall Academy for Young undergrowth, trying to find an ice house marked on Ladies and their illustrious visitor John Ruskin; Sir historic maps. Needless to say, I tripped on a bramble John Tomlinson Brunner, who lived in the Tudor Hall and finished up full length on the ground. We did find and Ludwig Mond, who lived in the Wyatt Hall. Fifty the ice house, although in an area invaded by suites or individual offices now enjoy the splendour of Japanese knotweed, so the long term prospects for its Winnington Hall. survival are not good. Wincham Hall is now a hotel providing a wedding venue. Each of these halls was home at one time to a wealthy Part of Belmont Hall, built by John Smith Barry in the family, but they have finished up with quite different 1750s, is occupied by Cransley School. It is also functions and in varying states of repair. home to Richard Leigh, whose family have been in residence for more than 200 years. Mary Jeeves 2 www.foam.merseyforest.org.uk email: [email protected] Wild Flower Meadow on the Proposed Play Area Several months ago, an area behind the Rangers’ The foxglove seeds had been dormant for several cabin was cleared to make way for a new Children’s years and their disturbance, coupled with the early Play Area. spring weather, provided the perfect combination for them to come to life in such a magnificent display. Visitors to Marbury in spring will have discovered a stunning wildflower meadow covering the area, with a The area also attracted butterflies, dragonflies and if spectacular display of wild flowers and foxgloves of you looked carefully, common blue damselflies could varying colours. be found. Tree Planting and the Marbury Lady Sculpture In our last newsletter, Dave James reported that The final work in this area will be to install new fencing contractors were about to plant six large oak and three and this is expected to be completed shortly. lime trees to replace the damaged trees by the orchard and Marbury Lane sculpture. The area has been tidied and trees and a hedge have been planted. Sinon O’Rourke’s Marbury Lady sculpture When Simon O’Rourke was commissioned to produce the Marbury Lady sculpture, members of the Textiles in the Park group were inspired to create their own Marbury Lady Sculpture Trail. This was to have been opened to the public on 4th April but, like other events, had to be cancelled as a result of the pandemic. As restrictions are eased, the Textiles in the Park group are hoping to be able to establish a new date for their trail to be opened. Alan Redley 3 www.foam.merseyforest.org.uk email: [email protected] Summer Wildlife Report from the Woodlands Summer is always a busy time for wildlife at Marbury larvae then feed on the hornet or wasp larvae. They and Anderton. We are very fortunate in enjoying a pose no danger to people, do not sting or bite and can range of habitats offering a wide variety of fascinating be easy to get close to for photographs. We also have flowers and insects. Below are just a few of the European hornets around, so take care! highlights from this Summer. On the Orchid Trail across the Bund between the Flashes, the purple-pink spikes of beautiful Marsh Fragrant Orchids can easily be seen in late June and July. Lesser hoverfly Hoverfly The watery habitats around Northwich Woodlands are ideal for dragonflies. One of the largest, the brown hawker, can easily be identified as it is the only one Marsh fragrant orchid with brown wings. They patrol clearings and meadows and will often be quite inquisitive, flying close to check A close look reveals many intricate flowers with a people out. The Dragonfly Pond at Anderton is an fantastic scent - it's well worth getting down on your ideal place to see these as well as other species of hands and knees to smell them. The Orchid Trail dragonfly and damselfly, and Hopyards Meadow is leaflets are available from the Ranger's hut. another good place to seek them out. Dragonflies usually perch with their wings spread, while Two forms of knapweed, which insects love, also grow damselflies are smaller and fold their wings along their around the Flashes. The usual form has a tight body. 'paintbrush' of rich purple petals. However, we also have a form with a circle of rayed petals giving a different look to the plant.