WIRRAL WILDLIFE / NEW FERRY BUTTERFLY PARK Talks 2025-26
Dibbinsdales very good friends at Wirral Wildlife run a series of excellent talks & Events. Everybody is very wellcome.
Friday 10th October
AGM and Talk: ‘The Mersey Forest – Growing Together: People, Health and the Power of Nature’
7.30pm
Thornton Hough W.I. Hall, Thornton Hough, CH63 1JL
Our short AGM will be followed by a talk by Paul Nolan, Director at The Mersey Forest.
For over three decades, The Mersey Forest has been transforming local landscapes into greener, healthier places for people and wildlife. Across Cheshire and Merseyside, new woodlands, and green routes have been created, giving thousands of people easy access to nature close to where they live.
The Forest’s work is rooted in evidence that time spent in nature reduces stress, improves mood, and encourages physical activity. Building on this, The Mersey Forest has led the way in Developing The Natural Health Service, to connect people to outdoor activities such as guided walks, community gardening, and woodland volunteering.
These initiatives support those experiencing anxiety, depression, loneliness, or long-term health conditions, while strengthening communities and creating places that are better for wildlife and the climate. The result is a greener, healthier region where people and nature can flourish together.
Paul has been involved in community forestry for over 30 years, and for much of that time as Director of The Mersey Forest. This long-term plan and programme of environmental regeneration aims to get “more from trees”, using trees and woodlands to provide a wide range of benefits.
Paul is a member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters, and an Honorary Fellow of Liverpool John Moores University and Myerscough College.
His role as Director of The Mersey Forest involves managing the multidisciplinary team, developing, and delivering the partnership business plan and budget, and working within a wide-ranging partnership to deliver the Government-approved Mersey Forest Plan.
The talk will be followed by complimentary tea/coffee and homemade cake, with an opportunity to meet like-minded people.
Sunday 12th October
New Ferry Butterfly Park Workday and Apple Afternoon with Wirral Countryside Volunteers
9.30am – 4pm
Howell Road, New Ferry, CH62 5BJ
Free volunteering event. Come for the whole day or join in and leave when you want to.
Activities will include hedge laying, turf removal and other maintenance tasks. Please bring lunch and stout footwear. Tools, training and tea provided.
Additionally there will be the annual ‘Apple Afternoon’ from 2 to 4pm, with tasting of traditional apple varieties from local orchards and juice making.
Cycle and car parking available on reserve. Good public transport links available.
Contact: Paul Loughnane by email or telephone 0151 645 8937.
Friday 14th November
Talk: ‘The Wirral Countryside Volunteers – 40th anniversary’
7.30pm
Thornton Hough W.I. Hall, Thornton Hough, CH63 1JL
A talk by Paul Loughnane, Secretary of Wirral Countryside Volunteers
The presentation will explore the development of Wirral Countryside Volunteers over the years, their projects, and achievements on the Cheshire Wildlife Trust reserves at Thornton Wood and New Ferry Butterfly Park, and other nature reserves in Wirral and beyond.
The talk will be followed by complimentary tea/coffee and homemade cake, with an opportunity to meet like-minded people.
Friday 9th January
Talk: Title TBC
7.30pm
Thornton Hough W.I. Hall, Thornton Hough, CH63 1JL
Details TBC
Friday 13th February
Talk: ‘Heathlands’
7.30pm
Thornton Hough W.I. Hall, Thornton Hough, CH63 1JL
A talk by Phil Putwain.
Details TBC
Friday 13th March
Talk: ‘RECORD – the work of a Local Records Centre and why we need them’
7.30pm
Thornton Hough W.I. Hall, Thornton Hough, CH63 1JL
A talk by Eric Fletcher.
Details TBC
some past events
Helen and Angie of Sunlight bees. Helen set out some great educational materials including materials. Lots of interest from visiting families. Kids taken off on a mini bee safari in bee suits and adults having some beefun! We really appreciate Helen taking time out of her busy week to come along join us
Sat, 12 Jul 2025 10:00 Rod Dillon. Supported by Liverpool Independents Biennial 2025
Come join us for a unique experience. Meet outside the wonderful Nettle Cafe where we will embark on a journey to explore the artistic wonders of Brotherton Park and Dibbinsdale Nature Reserve. Our regal Lady Liverwort is there for you to See her. This in-person event promises to be a delightful blend of creativity and nature, so don’t miss out!
The walk is along a cycle pathway past Unilever. We will pass St Patrick’s Well to collect the sacred water and then stop at the quarry to view Our Lady Liverwort. We invite you to join us in a ritual to celebrate the site of Our Lady.
Nettle Cafe 98 Greendale Rd, Port Sunlight Wirral CH62 4XE
See Wirral Environment Networks newsletters for more details. News – Wirral Environmental Network
February 2025 Woodslee Arboretum
The Friends working with Ste The Ranger are creating an arboretum in the area where Woodslee house once stood, together with an area of Brotherton Park.
There is a saying “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now” We are very fortunate that we are planting some trees now, some were planted about 20 years ago and an number planted almost 200 years ago. We are placing simple labels in front of some of the trees. Later we hope to produce a downloadable guide.
There is already a guide to other trees in Dibbinsdale but this is now a bit out of date.https://www.dibbinsdale.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Tree-Trail.pdf
February 2025 Tree Nursery
Wirral Tree Wardens working with The Friends of Dibbinsdale have established a tree nursery in a part of the walled garden. We have collected seeds from Dibbinsdale and also Arrowe Park and are in the process of stratifying them over winter and we will grow them on. This process will provide trees genetically suited to local conditions. It also reduces the possibility of importing pests and disease from outside the area.
In the mean time we are looking after “tree whips” ready for planting out in the next month or so. These are young bare root stock and are sensitive to their roots drying out, so they are healed in until needed.
January 2025 Wassail
Wassailing is a way of awaking and blessing the fruit trees of an orchard, in the hope of a good harvest. This year the celebrations were lead by Charlie from Wirral Councils Tree Team. We were joined by Bexi who played and sang for us.
