Friends of Miss Whalley's Field
24.02.2023: An update from the Friends of Miss Whalley’s Field
What a splendid turn out on a damp February morning. Around 35 eager volunteers came along - some familiar faces and quite a number of new folk - who successfully carried out the planned work.
100s of trees/saplings were pruned, from which they will benefit and thrive. Fruit trees were planted in a new orchard area at the bottom of the field, as well as new additions further up the field closer to the old, existing orchard.
Our thriving mole population provided freshly cultivated soil in which to plant the new fruit trees! Some of volunteers also braved the dreaded brambles and trimmed them back.
In addition several bags of general litter and a traffic cone were collected and disposed of.
Special thanks to David Redmore for his teach-in and sharing his secateur sharpening and pruning skills. Also to Helen Brister from Lancaster City Council for coming along and providing her support, together with tools, secateurs, sharpeners and gloves.
Several people have asked if they could come along on an 'ad hoc' basis to continue to carry out routine maintenance tasks when they have a little spare time. Provided no power tools are used and they take regard of 'common sense' and health and safety, the answer is an emphatic yes. If you are unsure please contact me on this email address. On-going maintenance of the Field is essential for it continuing to flourish.
Thank you again all for your hard work, enthusiasm and support for the first working party of the 2023!
Paul (Chair)
www.facebook.com/misswhalleysfield
Volunteers Needed!
Saturday 18th February @ 10:00 am
At the end of 2019 enthusiastic volunteers planted hundreds of young saplings on the field to create Jean Argles Wood. These saplings have grown well and are in need of pruning. FMWF group is organising a volunteer session to carry out pruning and other essential tasks on the field.
The City Council will provide a tree expert to show volunteers how to prune the saplings and sharpen their secateurs. They can provide a limited number of secateurs and sharpeners
Pruning not suitable for young children. Children are welcome to come along to help clear cuttings, and other suitable tasks, if supervised by an adult.
Wear suitable clothing, and bring any useful tools - footwear, gloves, secateurs.
Meet at the Memorial Stone on Derwent Rd.
Please pass on the message to anyone else who you think may be interested in coming along to help.
See you then!
Apologies to a few people who asked to be added to the email contact list but have not been receiving e mails recently. Hopefully it's sorted now!
Margaret
(Secretary FMWF)
Autumn Newsletter
June 2022: update
Hello all,
The planned scheme to improve drainage and access at the bottom of the field adjacent to the south Kentmere road entrance is due to go ahead shortly in July/August.
A 2 metre wide path is to be installed to replace the existing narrow path from Kentmere road. The path will be extended towards the notice board with another path leading towards the woodland walk.
Drains are to be laid at the same time which should help alleviate the very wet and boggy conditions in autumn and winter.
Apologies for any inconvenience. The Council approved contractor should hopefully only be on site for a week.
Regards,
Margaret
(FMWF Secretary)
January 2022 update
17th October 2020: Update
Hello All
Lancaster City Council has approved the first stage of the planned works at the top of the field. We shall soon have improved access to the bus stop from the Keswick Road end and completion of the Memorial Garden.
Work by United Utilities and Sapphire Utility Solutions will begin on Thursday 22nd October and be completed by Friday 23rd October. The outline plans can be found on Miss Whalley's web & Facebook pages.
www.facebook.com/misswhalleysfield/
Margaret
(Margaret Wiggins
Sec FMWF)
13th October 2020: Update
Hi All
A quick Autumnal update to let you know that FMWF plans are still moving on. In the near future the main activities, with the support of United Utilities, are the completion of the Memorial Garden and improving footpath access from Keswick Rd junction. United Utilities have also completed their drone survey of the field which will help plan the improvement of the field's drainage next year.
Also please click on the link below to the Lancashire Life article which is to be featured in their next edition. Great to have promotion in a national publication and for the photos to be taken on a lovely summer's day, which showed the field & views to its best.
Best wishes,
Margaret
September 2020: Update
Hello Members
Our last update in early July outlined how Covid 19 was affecting group activities and work on the field. Although we are still unable to carry out our 'normal' activities, we are pleased to let you know about future plans. We have had recent meetings involving United Utilities, their contractors and Lancaster City Council. They are willing to support us with some of the much needed work. The following work on Miss Whalley’s Field has been discussed:
- Completion of the Memorial Garden (this was started by Central High school pupils but not finished due to Covid 19)
- Improving access from the Ridge to the bus stop
- Installation of an additional bench adjacent to the mown area
- Printing permanent signage for the notice boards
- Producing a drainage plan for resolving the waterlogged areas , primarily the main access path. This will initially involve a drone survey and calculations of levels etc. The drainage scheme may involve a variety of different approaches for different areas.
Work will take place once any necessary approvals have been applied for and complied with. We hope that some of the work can take place before November although the drainage is much more complex and will take longer. Initially this will involve drone surveys of the field in the near future.
Once more details are available, we will update the web site and our Facebook page as well as email our circulation list.
This is potentially a major step for Miss Whalley’s Field and we look forward to working with our new partners.
Margaret Wiggins
(Secretary Friends of Miss Whalley's Field)