friends of anderton and marbury (foam) · alan redley update on dragonfly pond project a group of...

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Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM)

FoAM is 20 Years Old!

From the Chair Although we knew that the forthcoming AGM in May would be FoAM’s 20th, we were uncertain of the actual date the Group was formed. George Broughton, the Rangers’ manager at the time, introduced the concept of a Friends’ Group for Marbury and Anderton; an idea that was readily taken up and developed by Dave James. We recently found George’s old files, cataloguing the moves starting in late 1998, which led to the inaugural meeting of FoAM taking place on 27th January 1999. It’s now official; FoAM has passed another milestone and is 20 years old! Make a note to join us at 7.45pm on Monday 18th March at Comberbach Memorial Hall for a talk to celebrate the achievements of the Group over that period. In the meantime, you can read more about FoAM’s current activities later in the Newsletter. Our Christmas Decorations Workshop took place on Sunday, 16th December and those attending were delighted with the decorations they produced. The weather on the days each side of the event was atrocious but, fortunately, the event itself was blessed with a dry day. My thanks to Joanne Redley and the other volunteers who helped make the event such a success.

Christmas Decorations Event

The Bird Walk held on 26th January was very well attended despite the poor weather forecast. In the event, the rain held off for the first hour but, when it came, the woodland birds decided to take shelter!

Goosander couldn’t avoid the rain!

The highlight of the day was that everyone managed to see a bittern in the reed bed opposite the Mere Hide. Those returning to the Hide after the walk were rewarded with a bonus and had good views of two bitterns. My thanks to Dave Bullock for organising the event and to John Gilbody and Greg Butler for sharing their expertise and leading the two groups on the walk. We are always looking for new people to join the Committee and I’m pleased to announce that Howard Fearn (known to many of us as Fred Fearn) has joined the Committee. His enthusiasm and knowledge of ecological matters will be a great benefit. At the same time, Anna Cooper and Graham Walker have decided to stand down from the Committee. My thanks to both of them for the valuable contributions they have made. Both have made clear that they will continue to support the Group in other ways. I would encourage anyone interested in taking on a Committee role to contact me or any other Committee member and come along to a meeting to see for yourself what the Committee does before committing. Alan Redley

http://www.foam.merseyforest.org.uk%20%20%20%20email:%[email protected]


Restoration of Ponds Behind Haydn’s Pool There are several ponds behind Haydn’s Pool which are badly overgrown and in need of restoration to improve the habitat for amphibians.

A project has been developed and is being led by Total Environment. Over the past weeks, discussions have taken place with landowners, the contractor and other interested parties, in order to establish the most practical access route for equipment to get into the area to enable the work to be undertaken.

In order to ensure that ponds at different stages of development are retained, work will be restricted to two or possibly three ponds during this current phase of work. It is expected that this first phase of restoration to improve the habitat for amphibians, will be undertaken before the end of March. Alan Redley

Update on Dragonfly Pond Project

A group of volunteers taking a walk prior to Christmas Lunch, visited the new dipping platform at the Anderton Dragonfly Pond. Whilst there, they admired the handywork of their colleagues who had constructed the new platform. A new interpretation panel will replace the old one, which is nearing the end of its life. The new design has been completed and the panel is currently being constructed by Shelley Signs. Alan Redley

New Signage for Marbury

The remainder of the new signage for Marbury arrived in December. These signs complement those already installed near the carriage drive and at the picnic area. Volunteers immediately set about digging holes to install the new signs and the work has been completed. The eclectic mix of signage which once adorned this area has now all been replaced. The new signs have a smart, uniform appearance and have been well received by visitors. Alan Redley



Ranger News – Northwich Woodlands

Marbury Scrape The shallow pool or scrape at the end of the left of the cattle field has become overgrown and in some need of attention, so before the volunteers tackle the reed bed this year, we have a little bit of clearance work to do in this area. Our job is to remove the scrub and remove some of the trees in and around the scrape.

Marbury Scrape

The adjacent area, originally developed as a wildflower meadow, has become increasingly dominated by willow and bramble. My thoughts are to introduce a regular management regime in the form of cattle grazing. This means we will have to fence the area, so it becomes stock proof, using post and barbed wire, and then allow controlled grazing. The cattle will only be allowed to enter the area after the second week in July for a limited period of time. This is similar to how a hay meadow would be managed; allowing the cattle to graze off the lush growth instead of cutting, drying and storing it as hay. This, I hope, will at least allow some of the planted wild flowers which still survive to develop and set seed.

New Play Area for Marbury The existing play area at Marbury is coming to a natural end and, as bits of equipment fail, they are no longer being replaced or repaired. The CWAC team led by Calvin Stockton, with the help from various team members including FoAM and a landscape architect from Total Environment, are submitting a bid to obtain grants to pay for a more natural play area closer to the office and visitor facilities. The area which we feel is more suitable has been cleared of trees and bramble so the architects can put together a more detailed plan.

Our thoughts so far include a theme centred on the rose garden and Marbury Hall. Suggestions also include extending the area of picnic tables and surfacing which exists in front of the catering van, fencing to exclude dogs, and a natural bark floor underneath the play equipment. Once we have pulled the ideas together, we will encourage people to look at the proposed plans and make their suggestions. The consultation will take place over the next couple of months and we hope to have a copy of the plans here in the community room. Dave James

Christmas Decorations Workshop

As in previous years, we were delighted to welcome old hands and newcomers to the workshop to take advantage of the variety of foliage gathered from the Woodlands by the volunteers, who had also prepared basic wreaths from hazel and dogwood as a start. It is always a delight to see the range of wonderful creations produced from such simple materials, each with their own individual charm.



CWAC Insight and Intelligence Team Volunteer Day Conservation Scrub Bash at Ashton’s Flash

As Dave has mentioned in previous reports, the growth of willow and other scrubs (hawthorn is a nightmare) on Ashton’s Flash has proved a mammoth task to get under control. The team of 8 from Insight and Intelligence probably did not know quite what they were letting themselves in for when they opted to spend a day volunteering in Northwich Woodlands at Ashton’s Flash.

But what a difference a day makes! We didn’t take enough before and after photos but the clearance of the area of sprawling willow and hawthorn was evidence enough. We hope the team will return later in the year to see the orchids and helleborines which are native to the Flash and bloom abundantly in the Spring.

The team from CWAC worked alogside the regular volunteers, who had already spent a considerable time working on scrub clearance in this area. These type of tasks are much less overwhelming when a large group of people are involved.

Our volunteers were delighted with the extent of clearance made possible and thanked the Insight and Intelligence team for their enthusiasm and stirling efforts. We hope you enjoyed your day on Ashton’s Flash, but we can’t guarantee the weather if you are able to make a return visit!



Preparing the Ground

One of the tasks for the regular volunteers has been to clear the ground in preparation for the planting of trees by local children.

A Brrrrrr-illiant Tree Planting Effort by Local Schools

Four local schools have been busy in the woods this month planting trees with Mersey Forest team members, Ranger Dave, and FoAM members and volunteers. Over two days, 120 children from Barnton, Wincham, Lostock Gralam and Rudheath Primary schools worked hard to plant over 300 hazel and wych elm trees. The children learned more about the woodland habitats at Marbury and enjoyed doing their bit to help diversify the woodland and encourage more wildlife. During the tree planting we enjoyed a delightful array of wintry weather, but the children, staff and volunteers kept working and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. All of the children involved will be invited back to the park in summer to revisit their trees and take part in some fun educational activities. We’re hoping this will encourage them to take an interest in the natural world

and hopefully bring their friends and family to the park to see their trees grow over the years. We loved working with the four primary schools, and it looks like they had a good time too: Jenny Evans, teacher at Lostock Gralam Primary School wrote, “I would just like to say again how much the children (and adults) enjoyed the tree planting session today. It was wonderful to see them working in such harmony and getting genuine pleasure from the task. We can't wait to return in the summer, and I will encourage them to take their families to admire their handiwork! All of the adults who were working with you were so lovely and gave so much time and support to our children.” Steph Hepworth, Social Forestry Officer, Trees for Learning, The Mersey Forest

Barnton Rudheath Weaverham

A very happy group of children



Once Bittern, Not Twice Shy!

Despite a very poor weather forecast for the earlier part of the afternoon, our Bird Walk in Big Wood at Marbury on Saturday 26th January had two very enthusiastic groups setting off, led by our experts Greg Baker and John Gilbody. It would be fair to say that the hope was that at least one of the bitterns in the Marbury (Coward) Reedbed would reveal itself during the afternoon, as many in the two groups had not seen this iconic and elusive bird before. Luck was on our side and both groups were fortunate that one bittern was visible in the reeds across the other side of the Mere. Unfortunately, the weather did take a real turn for the worse at around 3 o’clock, and even though our groups were intrepid to the end of the walk, the woodland birds clearly didn’t like it and had mostly gone into hiding. Some of the participants were newcomers to bird watching and to Marbury. Despite the weather, they were able to see and identify a good number of species on the Mere. There were also large numbers of curlew on the fields beyond the Mere and good numbers of herons in the trees and along the edge of the Mere.

All involved found this particular walk to be a most enjoyable and fascinating afternoon and everyone very much appreciated the expert knowledge and experience of our two leaders. The more intrepid ones returned to the Mere Hide after the walk had finished. The light was fading rapidly, which made photography difficult.

Taken in more favourable light!

However, their perseverance was rewarded, with more views of a bittern and then a second appeared further left in the reed bed, this time showing well. So, our thanks to Dave Bullock for organising the walk and to Greg and John, for leading and supporting this very popular event in FoAM’s programme. Joanne Redley

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Northwich Woodlands Events Booklet 2019

When the Council decided to stop funding an Events Booklet for the Northwich Woodlands, FoAM decided to take on the task. Last year we printed 2,000 copies of the full year booklet and a further 1,000 copies of the ‘slimmed down’ version, covering the final six months of the year. Demand for the booklet from visitors to Marbury remains high and the Customer Services Centre in Northwich tell us this is one of the most popular items they have on display. Local libraries and museums also tell us how much the booklet is appreciated. This year’s booklet has, once again, been made possible through the efforts of Graham Walker, who has produced another striking and professional publication. You can pick up a copy from the leaflet dispensers at Marbury, from the Customer Service Centre in Northwich, the Lion Salt Works, Weaver Hall Museum and local libraries. Alan Redley



Photo Exhibition 2019 at Comberbach Memorial Hall Saturday 16th March, 9.20 am – 4.00 pm

We had a tremendous response and a record number of entries were submitted. Thanks to everyone who entered. The standard seems, to my untutored eyes, to be well up on that of previous years. The photos will be judged by our three experienced photographers in February and the mounted pictures will be exhibited in Comberbach Memorial Hall on Saturday 16th March between 9.30pm and 4.00pm. Please come along choose your favourite and enjoy looking at what Northwich Woodlands can offer the photographer and anyone with a smart phone. Jim Jeeves

Other Forthcoming Events Sunday 17th February Homes for Wildlife Make and take away a nest box to put up in your garden, as part of National Nest Box Week, or perhaps a bug home. No charge but donations welcome. Meet: 10.00 am – 12.00 pm at the Rangers’ Cabin/Marbury Lodge For information contact: Anna Cooper 01606 891683 Monday 18th March 20th Anniversary Celebration Talk FoAM will be 20 years old in 2019. This illustrated talk will celebrate the achievements of the group over that period. Tea/coffee and cake will be provided. At: Comberbach Memorial Hall 7.45 pm For information contact: Alan Redley 01606 44728

Sunday 14th April Spring Time Decorations Join us to use fresh green foliage and spring flowers for some Easter arrangements and wreaths. Booking essential Meet 10.00 am at the Rangers’ Cabin/Marbury Lodge For information contact: Joanne Redley 01606 44728 Saturday 27th April Spring Time in Marbury Country Park A guided walk at this wonderful time in the park to see the early woodland flowers. Meet: 10.00 am at the Rangers’ Cabin/Marbury Lodge For information contact: Mary Jeeves 01606 77688

The Workshop Team have been preparing the nest box kits over the past weeks ready for the Homes for Wildlife Event. Pictured are some of the stunning floral arrangements created by participants at last year’s Spring Time Decorations event. An example of the early woodland flowers that may be seen on the Spring Time walk is this beautiful carpet of anemones in Big Wood. Further details on any of these events are available from the contacts listed above. We look forward to welcoming you to the Northwich Woodlands in springtime.

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 Spring 2019 issue: Friday 5th April.


mailto:[email protected]


The Club meets for classes on Saturdays at Marbury Country Park. We also run puppy courses, KC dog classes and offer 1:1 advice for behaviour problems. Hi Mike, Our puppy has just turned 7mth old and we’re noticing a couple of changes in behaviour. The problem we’re having is that she has started barking and growling at the television, or people passing by the window at the front of the house. We tell her to be quiet, but she then hides behind the sofa. This is also a new behaviour, previously she insisted in being in the centre of the room to try and attract attention. Is this a passing phase or something I need to try and stop before it gets worse? A: Now that your puppy is getting older, she'll be maturing into her first stage of development. This is when they start to become more aware of their surroundings and sensitive to anything that threatens the stability of their pack/home environment. What your young dog needs to realise is that she's not in charge of anything - you are! Dogs don't understand the concept of televisions; to them it's just another window to the outside world that you sit and stare at. If she sees something coming towards that ‘window’ that unsettles her then she'll react. So you need to take charge of the situation. Window & Television Guarding When your puppy barks, assume she wants your attention. Don’t shout at her to be quiet, otherwise she’ll think that you’re joining in with the barking! Instead, get up and stand between her and the window/TV. It’s your house to

protect not hers. Thank her for alerting you and tell her to stay while you check out the situation. If you're happy that there's nothing to worry about then turn to her, tell her "Good dog, leave" and direct her away from the TV onto her bed or a settle mat. (N.B. Don't allow her to jump up on the sofa, that’s a vantage point.) If it's a particular image on the TV that bothers her, like the Meerkats, then desensitise her to it. Do this by recording the commercial then play it back and freeze frame it. Encourage her with a treat to come forward and examine the image to show her that it's not threatening, reward her for trusting you, then play the commercial in slow-motion without sound. Repeat and speed up slowly, before gradually introducing sound. Vulnerability She is also feeling vulnerable about being in the centre of the room. It's not her sitting room and she doesn't need to keep an eye on everyone who is in that room, or to be in charge of all the comings and goings. Therefore, move her settle bed/mat to a cosy tucked away area at the side of your chair/sofa, and tell her to stay there. To reassure her that you're in charge of your house, you need to occasionally stand in the middle of the sitting room and look around it. Act like master of all you survey so that you're showing your puppy that she's not the protector of the house - you are!

If you’ve got a question, or a subject that you’d like me to cover, email: [email protected]

Not Forgetting other tasks carried out by Regular Volunteers

Come rain, come shine, come mist and wind, and even snow in late January, the stalwart group of volunteers who regularly turn out on a Wednesday or Thursday are willing to tackle anything that Dave throws at them! Taking down fences to enhance footpaths, putting up fences to confine sheep and cattle. Cutting down

invasive trees, but planting new trees in chosen areas, often with local children. Clearing ragwort, the dreaded Hymalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed - a never ending task. Reed cutting to improve the habitat and enhance the views from the bird hides. These are all in a day’s – in reality many days’ – work to manage the Woodlands.

reed clearance at Carey Park hole digging! but we have also have fun

The Well Heeled Dog Club: Q&As about dog training


friends of anderton and marbury (foam) · alan redley update on dragonfly pond project a group of...

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