Wirral West MP Matthew Patrick visited Heswall Dales on 4th April, meeting members of the Heswall Dales Friends and Dales Ranger Chris Werney. During a ramble covering heathland and wooded valleys (and the Turtles Head) a wide variety of environmental topics was discussed including heathland management, protection and recovery, encouraging biodiversity and reducing dog fouling. We look forward to seeing Matthew on the Dales again.

 

More on gorse....

Cutting and burning is fine, but how to stop gorse regrowth? Financed by a grant obtained by the Friends from Wirral Together, an excavator was hired for a day to dig out the roots from the area around the granite bench down to the oak tree exit. This was highly successful and the next stage (already underway) is to collect and burn the (very many) roots. As ever, more volunteers welcome.

Well done the Rangers!

Wirral Country Park Rangers (whose patch includes the Dales, as well as Hilbre island and the Wirral Way) have been awarded UK "Best of the Best" for Park Staff in 2024 by the Green Flag organisation. Well done everyone!

Break on through (continued)

In a series of heroic Wednesday work sessions a team of volunteers and Rangers has now cut down and burnt virtually all of the unwanted gorse and birch at the very large site at the north of the Dales beyond the oak tree entrance. The path through is clear again and the views are great. A very good conclusion to the 2024 clearance campaign. Well done all! P.S. More volunteers always welcome.

Good news....

The prestigious Green Flag has been awarded (again) to the Dales following the inspection panel's visit in July....and take a look at "Country Diary" in yesterday's (21st Sep) Guardian, which is about the Dales!

Guided walk on the Dales

Wirral Heritage Open Days featured Dale Farm and the Dales last Saturday 14th Sep, with Ranger Chris Werney leading a guided walk across the Dales. A good turnout (about 40) of all ages heard Chris describe why the Dales is so special and the work needed to maintain its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Break on through

The volunteers and Rangers have been working to clear unwanted trees and bushes from a quiet part of the Dales, further north from the granite bench and down the slope, revealing a large bank of flowering heather that was previous hidden (and with wonderful views over the Dee). Enjoy!