Tuesday 2nd June 2015 - Annual Volunteers Walk

Please click on photos to see a larger one
Photos by Bob & Michael - the photos labelled in red, e.g. Photo 1, are Bob's

Today was a special day, a walk to celebrate the efforts of volunteers in National Volunteers' Week. The walk was organised by Bob Clare, a volunteer at the Brothers of Charity, Lisieux Hall, and also with Jim, a volunteer at St. Catherine's both leaders of Lancashire Walkers Dot Com and supported by the staff at Lisieux Hall.

Our route reflected the fact that five organisations located in or near the park use volunteers in order to improve lives of others. The five charity volunteers were invited to take part, listed north to south: St. Catherine's Hospice, Cuerden Valley Park Trust, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Sue Ryder Home and the Brothers of Charity at Lisieux Hall.

The walk was magnificently supported by the members of Lancashire Walks Dot Com.  We, the Park, were represented by three of the Heath Walk Leaders plus two of the Health Walkers although five other usual Health Walkers did turn up but they decided on a shorter walk because of the inclement weather, 'twas drizzling at the start but by late morning it was dry and the afternoon was sunny. I, Michael, unusually, didn't take many photos.

Photo 1
The walkers assembled outside the Barn.  There were 27 of us at the start. 

We set off and walked round Cuerden Hall and then walked down the Drive to the Cinder Path.

Photo 2
Bob took this picture of me, Michael, as I was counting the walkers entering the Cinder Path , they had all passed and he asked me to pose.  Note the winter gear at the beginning of June.

Photo 3                                                 Photo 4                                               Photo 5
We arrived at the Dragonfly Breeding Pond and Joanne Moore of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust demonstrated how to

Photo 6                                                Photo 7                                                 Photo 8
gather specimens and how to identify them.  Joanne recorded the many 'specimens'

Photo 9
As we walked round Cock Cabin Pond we watched a fisherman land a fish, much to his delight.  Further into the wood David Beattie, CVP's Volunteer Wildlife Officer, Assistant Education Officer, Health Walk Leader and many other activities leader, pointed out two Woodpecker holes/nests that had been recycled by Nuthatches, one pair of which where nesting.

At the stone Bridge the two volunteers from Sue Ryder had to return to the Hall to start work.

Photo 10                                               Photo 11                                                Photo 12
We walked round the Lake and up into Dog Kennel Wood. where Joanne taught us how to identify invasive species, Himalayan Balsam in this case, and how to deal with them.  Catherine Haddon, the volunteer organise for LWT is nearest the camera in

Photo 13                                               Photo 14
From Dog Kennel Wood we continued into Gravel Hole Wood and on to Dog Kennel Wood  as we left Gravel Hole Wood Here Joanne and Catherine left us to return to work and Ian and Elizabeth also left to start their holiday.

Photo 15
Throughout the walk David pointed out things of interest to the delight of the walkers.

Photo 16               
Here we are leaving Gravel Hole Wood last year - our youngest full walker was with us again this year.

As we left the wood I had planned to walk along the river, a somewhat tricky section due to the exposed tree roots, muddy and slippy areas.  Because of the last few days rain I thought it was wise not to attempt this section, the river was also in spate so the stepping stones would have been impassable.

Photo 17
Another photo from last year when the river was low.

So we walked along the Cycle Track to Town Brow Car Park were the 'marshals' made sure we crossed Sheephill Lane into the south section of the Park safely

The Staff and Volunteers at Lisieux Hall again made us very welcome.  After a presentation by Becky and Lizzie McClennan, Chairperson of Voice For All, the advocacy group for Brothers of Charity Services

Photo 18
Here we're assembled after lunch at Lisieux Hall ready to set off towards the Mound.

Again the 'marshalls' ensured we crossed Dawson Lane in safety.

Photo 19
Posing on the Mound.  The weather had picked up now and we had good views of Buckshaw Village, the Lancashire Coastal Plain and hills.  We seem to be down to be down to 20 here, think we've lost David.

From the Mound we walked back to Lower Kem Mill, blue spot, where a few of the walkers elected to walk directly back to the Barn along the Cycle Track - see blue arrows.

Michael led the majority, we were down to 17 now, across the bridge over the River Lostock up into the woods overlooking Lower Kem Mill.  We eventually came out on to Back Lane where Tom took over the lead and led us through the estate to Cam Lane where we entered the Park again walking past the Ponderosa down to the Lake.

We crossed the Stone Bridge and walked up Snake Hill back to the Barn Car Park.

Everyone seemed to really enjoy the day, thanks Bob and all of you.

Bob - "Hopefully we'll repeat the event next year."

Route map to follow

Today's Walk

Michael Swarbrick