This update is long overdue! Friends of Tawd Valley, Team Tawd and all volunteers have been busy bees. Bat walks, post, bench and interpretation board installations, pathway management and maintenance, Himalayan Balsam pulling, clean-ups, an AGM, river quality monitoring, defibrillator installation, riverfly and pond surveys, green fayre attendance and all that is just to name a few. Below are some of our highlights:
- First up, check out the Ranger organised bat walk way back in April. A big thank you to Billinge Bat Rescue for their informative walk and talk.
- The park continues to feel a little bit more official each and every day with the installation of benches, interp’ boards, infomations posts and sculpture.
- Multiple Himalayan balsam pulling sessions with Team Tawd, volunteers, Rangers and Ribble Rivers Trust have been completed during the spring and summer months.
- In May Friends of Tawd Valley welcomed their new chairperson – Well-known community and environmental champion Mike Flaherty has become the new chairman of Friends of Tawd Valley. Mike, who is recognised for his hands-on approach—helping to improve Tawd Valley Park and the River Tawd, taking part in countless litter-picking activities, and even assisting toads in crossing the road—takes over from Claire Cooper. Claire, a founding member and respected community champion, stepped down after two years as chair. She previously served as both Secretary and Vice Chair. Well done to you both. (image and test courtesy of Skem First Gazette).
- FoTV and Ribble Rivers Trust continue their ongoing Damselfly Wetland monitoring, riverfly surveys and river water quality testing. All are going really well and are producing some fantastic data and results.
- The always amazing annual Teddy Bears picnic in July was a huge success.
- In June we received a fantastic delivery of tools and equipment, all generously funded by United Utilities Better Rivers Fund. A huge thank you to Jason from United Utilities for delivering this wonderful donation which will make a massive difference in our efforts to protect and enhance the River Tawd.
- Thank you so much to the Asda Foundation Community Fund for their generous donation of refreshment items for Friends of Tawd Valley Volunteer Sessions. They will be much appreciated!
As you can see, it’s been a hectic few months, but we wouldn’t change the work that has been accomplished down in the valley for the world. A big thank you to all the organisations, groups and services that have supported us. Your help fuels the local communities passion to improve and enhance the Tawd Valley Park.
Our next big event is the Tawd Valley Park Bio-Blitz. Check out our Facebook page for more details.
