Winwick residents turn overgrown land into village asset

For years, the embankment along St Oswald’s Church and the A49 has been an eyesore, not just for village residents, but for motorists passing by.

But it is in the process of being cleared of weeds and brambles and filled with plants to brighten what was previously a dense natural mess.

It will also include a mural commemorating the Battle of Winwick, which took place in 1648 during the English Civil War.

Volunteers working as part of the project

Other areas receiving attention as part of the community project include overgrown ivy and vegetation in the areas facing The Swan pub and land within the churchyard itself.

A spokesman for the project said: “It is a collective volunteer effort, with around 20 or so local residents having worked on the project so far, and this will be ongoing for the foreseeable future.

“We have been working on it for around three weeks now and have had a lot of support locally.

“The area was so overgrown with brambles and weeds, which we have got rid off and will replace with planting, including spring bulbs.

“We have also created a sign relating to the Battle of Winwick in 1648, which is not complete yet, to commemorate what took place there.

The bank has transformed with plans thanks to the efforts of volunteers

“An awful lot of traffic passes there, so it doesn’t just benefit the people of Winwick, but those who pass by and are often stuck at the lights.”

The idea to give the land some tender loving care was devised by Joan and John, longstanding residents who live nearby.

In addition, around a dozen other residents have supported volunteers so far with donations of plants and money, as has Tod Bulmer from Kenyon Hall Farm.

Members are also working with Hollins Park Hospital, which has already got one of its patients involved in the project.