NATURE is returning to Paddington Meadows thanks to the hard-working volunteers of a local ecology group.
In the annual meeting, held at Alford Sports Club, New Cut Canal Team celebrated a ‘successful year’ with a main highlight being the progress of moths and butterflies returning to the beautiful nature reserve.
Work was carried out during the year at the wildflower meadow on Paddington Meadows, with teams of people spending their spare time, cleaning and litter-picking the area with the hope of letting nature ‘thrive’ there once more.
In July, surveys were carried out over the period of 23 days, to count the species found in the meadow and the results revealed an outstanding 35 species of birds, 10 species of butterflies and more than 30 types of moths.
Elephant Hawk, Lunar Thorn and Drinker moths were especially noted while the stars of the show were the colourful butterflies that arrived including Holly Blues, Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet and the ever-popular Red Admiral.
Improvements to the local pathways and access points was another great achievement for the volunteers during the last 12 months.
Spokesperson for the New Cut Group, Anne Price said: “The New Cut towpath has developed into an important safe integral part of the Warrington footpath network which showcases our waterway history brilliantly.
“Whilst Paddington Meadow being so close to the urban areas is an improving clean open space for all to enjoy and nature to thrive.”
Another highlight was the tree planting to honour the late Queen Elizabeth back in November.
The New Cut group prepared and cleared a spot adjacent to Woolston Lock where a rowan tree was planted in memory of HRH at the request of the Woolston and District Women`s Institute (WI).
Also mentioned in the yearly review was the groups visit to Woolston Church of England (Aided) Primary School to give a talk on the history of Woolston in July to Year one children.
While there, the group assisted the pupils in planting daffodil and narcissus blubs at the front of the school, with every single child in the school planting at least one bulb.
In October the group of volunteers promoted the industrial history of the meadows by launching a Warrington Local History show at Alford Sports Club.
10 local history groups were present for the event including Warrington History Society, Daresbury History Society and Friends of the Warrington Transporter Bridge.
More than 300 people came to the show and old photographs displayed of Warrington in the nineteenth and early twentieth century proved popular with crowds.
Chairman of New Cut group, Kevin Price who hosted the meeting thanked local officials from the Carbon Landscapes organisation, WBC and parish councils for their advice, support and financial assistance throughout the year.
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