In 2017, West Lancashire Borough Council published a Tawd Valley Park Masterplan Report with the aim of creating an amenity the town of Skelmersdale could be proud of.
A Public Consultation exercise was undertaken and the idea of a Community Group to support Council ambitions was born.
After many gatherings and meetings the Constitution for the Friends of Tawd Valley was adopted in May 2018 but it took until May 2019 before a full Committee was formed, Officers elected, a bank account created and actions started to unfold.
The Overall Objectives of the Plan are:
- Be a fun, safe place to visit;
- Encourage local people to visit the Park with new activities for various age groups;
- Be accessible for users of lower mobility levels;
- Promote the park’s heritage by reinstating historical paths and landscape features;
- Improve the maintenance of the River Tawd and promote water related activities;
- Retain existing areas of ecological interest and the overall ‘wild’ character of the Park;
- Enhance existing habitat and create new habitat types;
- Be straight forward and cost efficient to manage and maintain.
The Friends of Tawd Valley supports these objectives and sees its main role as raising awareness of what the Park has to offer, engaging with local Residents, Community Groups, Schools and local Business through a range of activities and events;
Practical Volunteering
Brings people together, enhances the Park’s ecology and bio-diversity, maintains infrastructure and supports individual health and well-being at whatever level you operate.
Activities include tree planting, litter picking, Himalayan balsam clearance and more.
Fundraising
Since May 2019 and despite the Pandemic we have raised in excess of £50.000.00 through Sponsorship, Donations and Funding bids. We are close to opening a classroom facility on Summer Street for use by Schools and Community Groups, providing a meeting place with picnic table in the Orchard, are providing First Aid training for volunteers and have purchased a variety of essential equipment.
Newsletter
Throughout the panademic we tried to keep in touch through an e-Newsletter and we hope this encouraged people to get out and enjoy the Park and supported health and well being.
We encourage everybody to sign up as a member, irrespective of level of involvement but will always welcome input from those who have ideas, offers of support or help.
