Past Years: 2010 Diary    2011 Diary - Friends' polo shirts and sweatshirts are now available

If any of you have anything related to the Park that you would like to share with everyone please e-mail it to me, Michael Swarbrick.

2012 Please click on photos to see a larger one

Tuesday 15th May - Health Walk from the Sports Centre - Heading south from the Sports Centre Gareth led us across Clayton Green Road, through the path, across Sheep Hill Lane into Manor Road, eventually past the school and into Back Lane.  We entered the Park . . . .

Copy of the sightings board photographed on 10th May.  Most sightings are also now recorded on the Friends Facebook site by David Beattie and Kevin Bandage.

Thursday 10th May - Conservation Volunteers work on Sunday 6th May reported by Jane Eckersley:

The Conservation Volunteer working party met on the first Sunday in May to carry on with the much needed clearance of rubbish and debris in  the River Lostock.  This session focused on the nature reserve area around the scramble track and headed towards the picnic area.
 
As it was a bank holiday weekend, fewer volunteers turned out than usual, but still, we were raring to go and follow our instructions from Mike the Ranger.    After an initial safety briefing about the dangers of working in and around water, we headed off to the River in wellies and waders!   
 
The aim was to clear rubbish that had collected along the river banks and  collect it for future disposal.  We also had to remove overhanging branches or trees that had fallen/were leaning into the river.  This could be quite difficult as sections of the river were a bit too deep for wellies.  The few who were lucky or not so lucky had to wade in to remove any blockages in the river!  One who shall not be named got rather wet during this process, it is just unfortunate that we do not have a photograph of the incident to be attached to this blog!
 
A great deal of rubbish was collected and the flow of the water was improved as blockages and litter was removed. There are some unusual finds to be found during this task.
 
This work will continue throughout the summer months in order to for a greater stretch of the River Lostock to be spring cleaned!

Thanks Jane

Thursday 10th May - SAD NEWS - The May Fair has had to be cancelled because of the large amount of rain over the last week or so and the promised rain over the next week.  The Park will be unable to cope with the now very soft and wet fields and grass areas.

Thursday 10th May - Health Walk from the Barn.  And then there were three - the Leader, Brian, Elizabeth and the Back Marker, Michael.  By a strange set of circumstances most of the regular walkers had other responsibilities all on the same day!  Perhaps one or two were discouraged by the weather?  However we had a lovely walk WITHOUT ANY rain.  We all enjoyed the morning, we spent the walk trying to put the world to rights.  We walked round the Stag Lodge part of the Park - the same walk as we did on 22nd March.
Chatting afterwards, with our cups of coffee, we discovered that each of us had decided, if no one else turned up, that we would do a walk on our own.

This was the map I prepared on 22nd March, to see the photos referred to you'll have to look at the Health Walk on 22nd March.

David Beattie recommends this Blog

The next health walk from the Sports Centre is on Tuesday 15th May

The next health walk from the Barn is on Thursday 24th May

Tuesday 8th May - Health Walk from the Sports Centre - . . . Half way into our walk and I finally get the camera out.  We've just come up from the Stone Bridge and are about to enter Cock Cabin Wood. . . . .

Tuesday 24th April - Health Walk -  Eleven of us today including Gareth our leader.  We had two Elizabeths, two Helens and two Caroles, well a Carole and a Carol, a Jacqueline, a Peter, a Mary and a Michael.  . . . .

Thursday 19th April - today we had an 'experimental' Health Walk.  A number of people from the Chorley and South Ribble Breathe Easy Group, a British Lung Foundation support group, tried their legs and lungs to see if they could join one of our Health Walks.

Tuesday 17th April -  It could be a lovely morning but would it rain? - there were ten of us when we set out from the Sports Centre following Gareth as he strode off to the south.  After a couple of hundred metres Sue decided that she didn't feel well enough to continue so she set off back to recover in the car.

Photo 1                                                                  Photo 2                                                

 Photo 1 - we are walking north along the cycle track having just left the woodland glade at Old Kem Mill

Photo 2 - we are climbing back up towards Back Lane. he Park is really bursting out all over.

The Park is green all over, the rain has brought out the leaves on the bushes and trees are just starting to break out.

Today's walk, it took us approximately 90 minutes - twice the length of a recommended Health Walk.  We always tailor the walk to suit the people who turn up, today's lot are capable of a long walk.

Sunday 15th April - we had our best Tea Shop Day today but this may be due to it coinciding with the recruiting of volunteers day.

Monday 9th April - The Health Walkers met at the Beaumont and, after a lengthy walk, had lunch at the Beaumont to celebrate Easter.  Thanks Helen for arranging a lovely day, particularly the meal when we all sat together on a large table with excellent food being served.

Easter Sunday 8th April - the most disappointing day so far in the history of the Tea Shop but it was a miserable cold, wet and windy day.

Thursday 5th April - Another lovely morning for the Health Walk starting out from the Barn . . . .

Tuesday 3rd April - Only three people turned up at the Sports Centre but Gareth led them on a short walk round the lake

Sunday 1st April - Conservation Volunteers Day!  Jane Eckersley, a Conservation Volunteer writes: A perfect day for volunteering,  a bright and sunny Sunday.  The volunteers had turned out in force, 16 of us and Mike were keen to get out into the Great Outdoors and do our bit.  

Tuesday 27th March - It was a lovely morning and there were six of us plus Gareth.  Two of those missing had a dental appointment, one's on holiday, one's on duty elsewhere and one's not well . . . . .

Saturday 24th March - Preparation for Sunday's Farmers' Market

The big marquee first - then more people turned up so on with the gazebos - anchoring the marquee.  It was a lovely summer's day and promises to be good for tomorrow.

Thursday 22nd March - Brian led today's Health Walk from the Barn.  It was a lovely morning and there were eleven of us . . . . . . .

Tuesday 20th March - Today's Health Walk from the Sports Centre, eight of us again . . . . .

Tuesday 13th March - Today's Health Walk from the Sports Centre

Thursday 8th March - Brian led today's Health Walk from the Barn - CVP Walk No. 9

Sunday 4th March - A large working  party of 13 eager Conservation Volunteers met Mike Tattersall (Ranger) at the Barn to sign in and to learn about the tasks we were about to undertake. . . . .

Tuesday 6th March - The weekly Tuesday Health Walk from the Sports Centre led by Gareth.
For once we were in glorious sunshine. . . . .

Green Flag - The Park Manager has just received a report to say we have had a “mystery shopper” visit from Green Flag to assess the Park on Sunday 15th January - it was a Tea Shop and the Winter Bird Watch day.
There are generally a lot of positive comments about the management and community involvement which we all should be very proud of.
Thanks to the Tea Shop staff and Volunteers for making such a positive contribution on the day.

Tuesday 28th February - Today was our weekly Tuesday walk from the Sports Centre led by Gareth.
We set off in light drizzle, walking across the car park with the two Elizabeths in the lead. They were busy talking and turned onto the path to the right as we entered the Park . . . . . .

Sunday 26th February - February's Farmers' Market.  The Tea Shop did well again and the takings from the entry donations were also good.  Visitors seemed to enjoy the stall, the food stalls particularly.

Thursday 23rd February - the monthly Health Walk from the Barn.  A dull start to the day but it brightened up as we walked along becoming a lovely sunny spring day.  . . . . .

Tuesday 21st February - Health walk today from the Sports Centre.  Today's theme was water, there was certainly plenty of it around.  

Sunday 15th February - The Tea Shop is gaining in popularity; we had a steady stream of customers today - we need volunteers to start opening on a Saturday.

Tuesday 14th February - Another Health Walk from the Sports Centre.  There were only five of us today plus Gareth.  We decided to go into the Park today

Tuesday 7th February - Health Walk from the Sports Centre.  There were seven of us today plus Gareth.   Carole requested a change of route so Gareth led us off

Sunday 5th February - Tea Shop, we weren't on duty today but as it wa a miserable misty morning we thought we would go and support Maureen and Linda. . . . . .

Tuesday 31st January - Health walk from the Sports Centre.  Again only a few of us turned up today, six and Gareth but Mary, Jacquie and Carole were back with us.  Mary had brought a friend to . . . . .

Starting from 8th March there will now be walks from the Barn on the second and fourth Tursdays in the month.

Thursday 26th January - Health Walk from the Barn.  Brian was our leader today with David acting as Backmarker

Wednesday 25th January - Jenny Stewart of Clayton-le-Woods won the prize for the Jelly Baby competition, the overnight stay in the Hotel in Manchester and the jar of jelly babies.

Tuesday 24th January 2012 - Only a few of us turned up for today's Health Walk, five.  . . . .

Sunday 22nd January - More Gales!  Once again the Farmers Market was blighted by strong winds making it impossible to erect the marquees.  The Volunteers put one up but decided it was safer to take it down again.  Nevertheless a market took place with a reduced number of stalls.  We hope the vendors and buyers will not desert us!

Tuesday 17th January 2012 - Nine of us and Gareth, our leader, took part in today's Health Walk.  It was sunny and dry but a little cold. . . .

Sunday 15th January - Another dry sunny day but still cold.  The Tea Shop did well and the Winter Bird Watch was well supported.

Tuesday 10th January - Eight of us and Gareth, our leader, took part in today's walk.  It was quite mild and dry. . . .

Monday 9th January - I handed over the Membership Secretary's position to Jean.

Sunday 8th January - Conservation Volunteers - Jane's computer is on the blink a report will appear here when she sorts it out

Sunday 1st January - Happy New Year everybody

Today we, the Health Walkers, all met on the Ley Inn car park for our new year's walk.  This event was the inspiration of Jacquie, who arranged our lunches at the inn as well.  Thank you very much Jacquie from all of us for a very enjoyable start to the new year. . . . . ..