MORE than 1,000 people attended a woodland carnival at Warrington to celebrate the 20th birthday of the Mersey Forest.
The event, at Risley Moss Local Nature Reserve, was opened by Forestry Commission chairman Pam Warhurst, Warrington North MP Helen Jones, and chairman of Risley Moss Action Group Andy Pearson.
Activities throughout the day included storytelling woodland walks, den building, puppet shows and willow weaving, with the soundtrack to the carnival provided by innovative musicians Urban Strawberry Lunch who perform using recycled instruments made from junk.
Over the past two decades The Mersey Forest Partnership, including Warrington Borough Council and neighbouring local authorities, has planted more than eight million trees across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Mersey Forest director Paul Nolan said: “A huge variety of people are involved in creating The Mersey Forest, from schools who have planted woodlands in their grounds, to community volunteers helping look after their local woods, to a wide range of partner organisations. The carnival was about thanking them all, as well as looking ahead to the next 20 years of continuing to improve the local environment.”
Anyone can sign up as a supporter of The Mersey Forest for free and keep up to date with their latest news at www.merseyforest.org.uk/supporters or by calling 01925 816217.
The carnival was part of Warrington Borough Council’s annual Green Safari event, run jointly with Risley Moss Action Group.
1 Comment
Thanks for this feature Gary and John. I have just become a member of the Mersey Forest Steering Committee and attended one of their regular meeting at Delamere Forest yesterday.
Paul was extremely pleases with the Birthday Celebrations at Risley and we welcome any feedback. There are a number of very exciting projects coming up soon.
Until then get yourself down to Dalmere Forests’ Visitors Centre – it’s a fantastic place and was even busy yesterday.