Summerseat Nature Reserve
Those who have visited Summerseat, if only to buy
plants from the garden centre, will know what a lovely place this is. At
one time there was a sewage works which, though well disguised, did take
up a fair amount of the land that could have added to the country village
feel of the place. Things have now changed, the sewage works has gone and
with the blessing of North West Water, who still own the 17 acre site, a
group of volunteers have moved in to create an oasis for wild life and
flora. The volunteers, numbering thirty or so at the present time, are
members of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and have several projects to work
on in the Croal-Irwell Valley.
The site itself is situated on Station Road and is
nestled between the River Irwell and the East Lancashire Railway with
access close to the station. Since the work began in 1994, two small lakes
have been introduced, each having a Hide for viewing and photographing the
wildlife. Noell Leather looks after the administration side of things, and
is always on the look out for more volunteers. Peter Morries who is the
Reserve Manager, provides guided tours to new volunteers and visitors
alike. The next open day is the 16th July, the reserve will be open
between 10.00am. and 4.30pm. with tours and displays by guest societies,
over 300 people attended this event last year.
The Trust also meet regularly at Prestwich Library
between October and May. The meetings are held on the first Wednesday of
each month at 7.30pm. Guest speaker are often invited to the meetings and
Field Trips are arranged regularly.
If you would like more details about the reserve
please send an e-mail to content@ramsbottom.net
or use our Message Board.
Report by Barry Aldous
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Location of the Reserve
One of the lakes
Preparing nesting boxes
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