Merseyside North Volunteers

29th January 2017 - A Frosty Start to New Years Activities

A fresh early start to today as Oliver and I ventured out to a frosty Meadow. Mission was vegetation clearing and litter picking. It's a good time of year to acknowledge and maintain some of the trees that have the potential to encroach on the path when the leaves start growing.

Before

After

Once the clearing was done, we continued to clear as much of the litter as we could... 3 bags of litter, a toy pram, pool table, refuse bin and a few odd bits and pieces.

Lots of work still to do so if you fancy some fresh air and would like to help support the project, please get in touch and come along to one of our future work days.

The Upcoming Months...

A belated happy new year,

Thank you to those of you who have been keeping us updated of issues on or around our local cycle routes and footpaths. If you are out and about or do any maintenance, do keep us posted (TPT, Sustrans and myself). I wanted to update you all with activities that are coming up for the Meadow site. The Meadow site is clear (thanks to a number of volunteers and rather large group of scouts from the area) and wildflower seeds have been scattered. Winter is assisting in keeping any weed growth away but unfortunately a small number of inconsiderate dog walkers have been about. Light fly-tipping and discarded litter has also taken place. I'm keen to get things rolling again at the site and cleared up with the Meadow project due for completion. The near by recycling centre have said that they will assist so litter picking is high on the agenda of activities. I've 'pencilled in' the following activities for the coming months...

Sunday 29th Jan 2017. 10am-1pm Clearing vegetation around entrance areas to the site in preparation for planting.
Path edging and litter picking.
Saturday 4th Feb 2017. 1pm-3.30pm Photography Walk. Grab your walking boots and that new camera you got for
Christmas to join me in exploring the area around the Meadow. The aim is to capture images that can potentially
be incorporated into artwork and signage on the Meadow site. It’s also an opportunity to do a bit of litter picking whilst
we’re out.
Sunday 12th Feb 2017 10am-onwards. Installing signage sleepers and benches.
Sunday 19th Feb 2017 10am-onwards. Installing signage sleepers and benches.
Sunday 26th Feb 2017 10am-1pm General site maintenance, litter picking, bird table installation.
Sunday 5th March 2017 10am-1pm Clearing weed growth, planting.
Sunday 12th March 2017 10am-1pm Clearing weed growth, planting and install signage.
Sunday 26th March 2017 10am- onwards. Edge path, wildflower reseed, Project completion celebration
April Onwards... Activities and maintenance will progress beyond the Meadow site in particular up the Cheshire Lines.

Extra dates will be added as the site activity progresses. You should check this website for revised times, amendments and any further information. All activities start or take place on the Meadow site. Any children should be accompanied by an adult. We suggest you wear sturdy suitable footwear and clothing that you don’t mind getting a little muddy. Sefton Meadows Garden Centre cafe is close by but I will endeavour to provide some light refreshments on site. Any assistance that can be provided in the above activities is always welcome. If you are able to help on any of the above dates, could you email me jc@photoreal.co.uk or text 07713158716 to let me know. I can also keep you updated if anything changes.

If you have any questions, again please don't hesitate to drop me an email. Below is a flyer with the above information.

Thanks for all you do and hope to see you all soon

John Callaghan
Merseyside North Volunteers
www.merseysidenorth.uk

Workday... Saturday 24th September 2016

Short notice, but if you're available and have an hour or two to spare...

Next Saturday (24th September, 10am onwards) the Lydiate scouts are assisting us by taking part in a sponsored litter pick on the Maghull/Lydiate area of Trans Pennine Trail/NCN 62.

Whilst they are litter picking in the area, I am planning to continue to clear The Meadow site in preparation for wildflower seeding. The Meadow site is at the beginning of the Cheshire Lines in Maghull, just off Sefton Drive, next to Sefton Meadows Garden Centre and the recycling centre. If any of you are available, I could really do with some assistance in raking the cut vegetation and clearing the ground. If you have not visited the site, It would also be an opportunity for me to introduce and discuss the Meadow project. I can also explain the bigger plan with this project and its impact for our area and all areas of the Trail. If you are available, it would be great to see you there. I have limited tools at this point and if you are able to bring a rake, it would be a great help. I also suggest you wear appropriate clothing for this type of task as the majority of what is being cleared is brambles and nettles. Please provide your own refreshments... although there is a cafe available at the Sefton Meadows Garden Centre. If you have not visited the site, It would also be an opportunity for me to introduce and discuss the Meadow project. I can also explain the bigger plan with this project and its impact for our area and all areas of the Trail. If you are available, it would be great to see you there. Also, I have limited tools at this point and if you are able to bring a rake, it would be a great help. I also suggest you wear appropriate clothing for this type of task as the majority of what is being cleared is brambles and nettles. If you could provide your own refreshments... although there is a cafe available at the Sefton Meadows Garden Centre.

If you are able to assist could you let me know jc@photoreal.co.uk ...If you are unable to assist, but just want to come and say hello, you are more than welcome.

Scything Workshop

I'm opening this up to you all to see if anyone is interested? and please feel free to share!

Our area group has recently been awarded £12,000 from Tescos 'Bags of Help' to create a wildflower meadow and community space which is to be located on the Cheshire Lines, part of Trans Pennine Trail in Maghull.

Our efforts to transform this space start on Saturday. Steve Tomlinson is visiting to run a training course in Scything. The course will run on Saturday and Sunday of the 27th & 28th August 2016 between 10am-4pm. There are spaces still available on the course and are free to those of you interested in the Meadow project, interested in potentially volunteering and to give a taste of what it is to volunteer with Sustrans and the Trans Pennine Trail. I've added some links to this message to provide extra information and if you are interested please email me asap - jc@photoreal.co.uk. Thanks!

Our volunteer page... www.merseysidenorth.uk

Steve Tomlinson (Scythe Workshop)...https://stevetomlincrafts.wordpress.com/scythes/

The Meadow location map... https://drive.google.com/open…

Sustrans... http://www.sustrans.org.uk/volunteer

The Trans Pennine Trail... http://www.transpenninetrail.org.uk/

Volunteering with Us in Merseyside North

Are you interested in some or all of the following...Cycling, walking, horse riding, sustainable transport, the environment, our local area, local issues, welcoming visitors to the area, access, maps, health, team work, social gatherings, open spaces, air quality, efficient walking and cycle routes, biodiversity, community and getting involved?

If the answer is yes... then we would love to hear from you. We are volunteers for Sustrans and the Trans Pennine Trail for the Merseyside North area. Merseyside North area extends from the Sefton Coast between Aintree, Southport and inland beyond Ormskirk.

Sustrans is the leading charity enabling people to choose healthier, cleaner and cheaper journeys. As volunteers, we are the eyes and ears on the ground and assist in maintaining the national cycle network, local connecting routes and raise peoples awareness to the choices available for the journeys they make.

In the Merseyside North area at Southport we are also honoured to have the Beginning/End point of the Trans Pennine Trail. The Trans Pennine Trail is an internationally recognised and exciting route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders linking the North and Irish Seas, passing through the Pennines, alongside rivers and canals and through some of the most historic towns and cities in the North of England. National cycle route 62 which runs through our area of Merseyside North is part of The Trans Pennine Trail.

Being a volunteer with Sustrans and the Trans Pennine Trail can entail as much or as little involvement as you wish. It doesn't necessarily mean you have to attend every event or activity, It means that if you enjoy and care about our area, are a cyclist, walker or someone who uses the cycle network and connecting paths then there is a part that you can play. We work with in close communication with local authorities and as a network can share information and assist in monitoring, maintaining and developing the amazing resources we have in our area of Merseyside North. There is also often the opportunity to develop new skills and obtain training.

As mentioned in previous posts on this site, Merseyside North Volunteers have recently been awarded a £12,000 grant to develop a wildflower meadow, community space and encourage wildlife to an area of land on the Cheshire Lines area of the Trans Pennine Trail in Maghull, Sefton. Activities are about to start in clearing and developing this project. Again there are many areas of the project that volunteers can be involved in and it would be great to have your support.

If you are interested in volunteering, would like to discuss any involvement or have a question... please do not hesitate to contact me, it would be great to hear from you.

For more information on becoming a volunteer CLICK HERE TO EMAIL.

or visit the SUSTRANS or TRANS PENNINE TRAIL website.