Mucking in at nature reserve (From Warrington Guardian)

Mucking in at nature reserve

VOLUNTEERS descended on a Woolston nature reserve last week to muck in and lend their help to an environmental project.

As part of Community Service Volunteers' Make A Difference Day, volunteers from all walks of life gathered at Paddington Meadows to help give the area of grassland a much-needed facelift.

Participants helped with the ancient art of hedge laying and the installation of kissing gates and stock fencing.

The area is an important part of Warrington's heritage as it is the town's last remaining patch of waterside grassland, once typical of the whole river valley.

The work is being carried out by Groundwork Mersey Valley in partnership with Warrington Borough Council, WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental) and the Environment Agency.

As part of the project, a number of habitat improvements will be carried out featuring work to extend and enhance the wetland area, improving it for birds and water voles, as well as a large wildflower meadow, which will be created next to the Mersey.