Last call for nominations

There's just over a week left to nominate someone for a Unilever Dragonfly Award 2006. The awards celebrate the Northwest's unsung environmental heroes, and recognise local groups, young people or individuals who have made an outstanding contribution towards improving the region's environment. Last year saw a record number of entries, giving the judging panel a tough task. We don't want to make it easy for them this year, so hurry up and get your nominations submitted. The deadline for entries is FRIDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2006, and you can get all the details, and download an entry form by clicking HERE. What are you waiting for?

media darlings

Gemma's fishing taster day has made it onto the Northwest Enquirer's Blogwatch again! Well done Gemma, and Brad, the star angler.

School has a bash in Bamber Bridge

Balsam bashing is over for another year…phew!

The finale at Church Wood, Bamber Bridge was the largest event, with the largest balsam. It was huge!

The local primary school came down to help, so our ears were ringing by the end of the day…miss! miss! miss! The kids were great, and had their own way of bashing the balsam…mainly by ‘sword fighting’, but hey it got the job done.

Judith got the same school involved last year, and as it was a great success, we did it again. We definitely had some impact on the kids last year as this year, older pupils were explaining to the young ones why we were bashing the balsam…without any prompting from us. Plus they wanted to come back again to help…Result!

Finally, thanks to those of you who came out to help throughout the balsam bashing campaign this year.

Having a whale of a time

To celebrate Irish Sea Marine Week Blackpool Borough Council are holding Whale and Dolphin Spotting events along the seafront. These have been going on since the weekend but there are still plenty of chances left to join in. Times and places are listed below. Happy spotting!

Blackpool, Lancashire, England.

Tues 15th 11.30am – 1.30pm opposite Solaris Centre
Wed 16th 1pm – 5pm Cenotaph/Metropole Hotel
Thurs 17th 11.30am – 1.30pm opposite Solaris Centre
Fri 18th 11.30am – 1.30pm opposite Solaris Centre
Sat 19th 11am – 4pm Bispham Tram Station
Sun 20th 11am – 4pm opposite Solaris Centre.

Dave McGrath, Blackpool Council's sustainability education officer, said: "Many people wouldn't expect to find dolphins or other marine mammals off the Blackpool coast, but they are there - it just takes a little bit of luck and some patience to spot them."

Tel: David McGrath 01253 478 020
E-mail: david.mcgrath@blackpool.gov.uk

fleeced?

The Mersey Basiners took to the far side on Friday - we took a trip to the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail in sunny Yorkshire. Despite the near tropical climate we managed to find a cool moment or two to model our brand-new fleeces and pose for a photo. I think 'cool' is the operative word here, don't you?

Green Flags around the Ribble

Many of the parks around the Ribble Estuary have been awarded prestigious Green Flag Awards for 2006/07.

Now in their 10th year the awards are the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales and a means of recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in the country.

In a time when many parks are seen to be in decline, the media and the public are becoming increasingly aware that a Green Flag is a sign of a high quality green space. These shining examples of outstanding green space management are a credit to the hard work and dedication of the council staff and volunteers committed to their local parks.

Green Flags have been awarded to Fylde Borough Council for Lowther Gardens and Fairhaven Lake & Gardens; Preston City Council for Grange, Haslem and Ribbleton Parks; South Ribble for Longton Brickcroft, Hurst Grange and Worden Parks; and Sefton Council for Hesketh Park, Coronation Park and Southport Botanic Gardens.

August Events around the Ribble Estuary

For lists of events and fun activities around the Ribble Estuary
click here

Big fish, little fish whole lotta fun!

It's a hard life...

Thanks Bev, for posting the info about the fishing taster day at Yarrow Valley Country Park. It was a great day, lots of smiling faces and lots of catches. Our star pupil caught 20 fish...including a whopper.... check out this link and select the pdf at the bottom for the rest of the photos.

tree idol

Time to get your creative hats on. Manchester's Green City team are on the hunt for a tree idol, and they want to know about our favourite tree in Manchester. It can be anything from a huge imposing monster, to a willowy and delicate, er, willow.

They're also collecting information on historic, locally significant or culturally valuable trees that might be eligible for a tree preservation order.

Anyone who'd like to enter can post stories, poems, photos, paintings or anecdotes about their tree of choice on the green city website, or send them directly to Dave Barlow, Green City Team, Room 6019, Town Hall Extension, Manchester, M60 3NY.

The best nomination will get a prize, and be featured in an exhibition celebrating Manchester's trees. Bargain!

Fishing Taster Day

Fishing Taster Day was organised by Gemma the Action Douglas & Yarrow Co-ordinator. The event took place at Yarrow Valley Country Park. Gemma reported that it was great to see the kids trying new activities that they wouldn't normally have the opportunity to do. With taster days, people don't often get given the chance to do the activity again as they don't have the equipment or knowledge. The Environment Agency coaches gave each child a fishing rod and an information booklet so that they could go out fishing again and build on their experience from the taster day. The kids were well chuffed!

Well done Gemma!!!!

birdblogging

Just found this blog from one of the Liverpool Daily Post's correspondents. It's all about birdwatching on the Merseyside and Lancs coast. Nice photos.

urban oasis

Now that the heatwave is receding into distant memory, I thought I'd post a pic of the Clayton Vale nature reserve, where I went for a walk on Friday. Just look at that blue sky. Remember that? Never mind, surely it's saving itself for an Indian summer in late september - just in time for Mersey Basin Week.