Mersey Basin Campaign Blog

Trip to a bog turns out to be a highlight!

Delegates who attended the Cheshire Waters Forum on 5th July were given the opportunity to join a site visit to Wybunbury Moss, a Natural England National Nature Reserve.  The moss is a rare example of "Schwingmoor" (floating bog) which consists of a raft of peat, floating on a lake 13 metres deep.  It was formed during the last ice age, and is deeper than many other floating bogs because of a collapse beneath the peat, caused by subsidence of the underlying salt-bearing rocks. 

Highlights included jumping up and down to make the earth literally move beneath our feet (including rocking the trees), and stopping next to an innocuous looking willow bush, which hosts 75 percent of the UK's population of a certain beetle which only likes small willow bushes that haven't been coppiced, on south-facing sheltered sites!

Tim Coleshaw from Natural England looks after the site, and provided a fascinating tour of the Moss, which isn't normally open to the public because it is dangerous to those who don't know their way round, and because it is so environmentally sensitive.

Despite the relentless rain, we all really enjoyed this rare opportunity to see and learn about such an unusual habitat.  Thanks to all involved.

Cheshire Waters Forum Questions

This year's Cheshire Waters Forum takes place on Thursday 5th July at Crewe Alexandra FC, Gresty Road, Crewe. Find out more on our website.

If you're attending the forum and would like to ask a question during the 'Questions to speakers' session, please feel free to leave one as a comment on this post. We'll collect the questions and bring them along on the day.

Click 'comments' below to add a question.

You'll also be welcome to ask further questions on the day, once you've seen the presentations.

Action Weaver Valley News

Marshall's Arm community group which manages a riverside nature reserve in Northwich is the successful winner of the North West Park It awards.  They've beaten off 50 contenders & we are now working towards a big community event on 1st July.  Park It are marketing it as their opening bash for 2007/8.   This will be the first time that we've tried to organise an event of this size.  It's worth keeping an eye on the Park it award as they supply grants & staff to help you including all the services of their communications & marketing team

Interesting issue came up today on a site visit in Frodsham.  I was out with BTCV assessing a site for a potential hedge planting & hedge laying scheme.  One of our problems is the number of old crack willows, some of which are dangerous.  BTCV suggested I contact Chester zoo as they are on the look out for willow for their giraffes!  I can't wait to look into that one.  Hopefully some good PR is coming our way.