ChadKirk Chapel Updates
News and updates from the Friends of Chadkirk
Late blossom
The Met Office is still doing the calculations.However it seems likely that they’ll soon confirm what many of us know in our bones: it’s been the coolest spring in England since 1961. And the cool and wet May has for some of us meant that we have not been able to enjoy our gardens as much as we might like.
Nevertheless there are some consolations. Few would dispute the beauty of the blossom, now it’s here. The apple trees in the walled garden are a delight, blushing with effervescent blooms. Out in the woods, it may be June but you can still enjoy the carpets of bluebells on the slopes of Kirk Wood.
Perhaps most impressive are the drifts of wild garlic. On a warmish humid afternoon, you can taste the pungent oils as their spicy scent hangs heavy. The woodland floor white and green, radiant in the gentle light filtering through the fresh greens of late spring.
The start of summer…
1st June. The Met Office forecast fine weather with blue skies and sunshine. Despite a cool breeze from the northwest, down at Chadkirk there’s shelter in the Walled Garden and it is a pleasant day to tend the soil.
There’s gentle work for volunteers who care for the garden.
On Saturday, Friends of Chadkirk gave their attention to replanting some of the herb beds. Two of these beds had been planted with box, which became blighted by a virus. On an earlier gardening afternoon affected plants were removed. Re-planting with box is not an option as the virus is present in the soil; instead cuttings of geraniums and geum rivale have been used. They will be quick to get established and provide attractive ground cover as a temporary infill.
In time the box may be replaced with ilex or lonicera. These plants have a similar impact in the garden. They look a lot like box. But they are unaffected by the virus. The volunteers are looking to source plenty of cuttings for the next phase of planting.
In the meantime, Pat will visit daily and water the plants propagated from her garden. By the time of the festival, the new plants will be thriving.
Scarecrow Sunday
Sunday 26th May is Scarecrow Sunday.
It’s a chance for families and friends to get out in the open air and enjoy being in the Walled Garden at Chadkirk. It’s an opportunity to do creative things with straw. And other materials. It’s a chance to make a life size piece of art.
Bring your imagination. Build your own scarecrow.
Perhaps you can enjoy having a bit of a rummage through wardrobes, drawers, cupboards. See what you can find that might inspire a special scarecrow, something unique. Or come along and use the bits and pieces that the Friends of Chadkirk provide. Your scarecrow can be male or female, royalty or celebrity, footballer, nurse, clown, wizard. Get your thinking cap on. Head gear for the scarecrow? wigs? flowing robes or shorts and T-shirt? The Olympic Games of 2012 inspired many of last year’s entries. What will inspire you this year?
The event begins at 11.00 hours in The Walled Garden.
There are two categories of scarecrow. And entry details remain unchanged since last year. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
In 2012 all entries were rewarded with a small prize.
Among the green
The foliage of the woods is expanding into the full canopy of summer.
Bird song and green leaves.
You’ll maybe hear them, and yet, spotting the birds in the canopy…not so easy.
Can you match sight and sound? Hear the song and know the bird?
Walking through the woods with John, he’ll point in the direction of the song of a blackcap or a chiff chaff. Me? barely a clue. If your bird song recognition is more like mine than John’s then the BBC can give you a few clues. Listen. Tweet of the Day on Radio 4. On the website, photos to go with the sound. Here’s the link. See. Hear.
May 2013
The first day of May. March came in like a lion and went out…like…a polar bear? Arctic adjectives continued to be attached to descriptions of the weather here for the early part of April as well. Today, some welcome sunshine and a little warmth. With the weather pulsing between frosts and freezing winds only a few weeks ago, how might the wildlife of Chadkirk have been affected?
In and around the walled Garden, flowers are later to bloom. Maybe 3 or 4 weeks later than last year?
In the walled garden, a peacock butterfly. Photo: Artemisia
As keen gardeners note these changes, animal watchers see other signs. Birds are nesting. Amphibians make their way to the ponds to spawn. In the first days of May, frogs will have already laid their spawn. Toads visit later. Perhaps they may be emerging from the woods and fields to breed this week.
In previous years, John, the resident Countryside Officer, has rescued many of the toads crossing the road en route to the ponds. He tells of collecting buckets full over a period of 10 days. His services have not been required in the spring of 2012 or 2013. What does this suggest? That the pattern of weather for each of those springs had an adverse effect on Toad populations in the area? Possibly. Last year March was warm and dry.Too dry for toads maybe? This year all those frosty nights and Siberian winds…
Later in the year, if there’s an opportunity to go pond dipping with the Friends of Chadkirk and friends from CAN, we will be curious to see how the populations of these amphibians compare with previous years.
Today there were plenty of butterflies on the wing. And plump queen bees foraging. The woods were busy with birdsong: chiff-chaffs, blackcaps, blue tits, great tits, jackdaws.
The trees of Kirkwood
Taking the flight of steps up into Kirkwood, visitors are able to see a variety of trees and the wildlife they support.
There are oak, beech and sycamore. Some of the sycamore have been topped. This allows light to penetrate to the woodland floor and encourages the growth of a ground layer of plants, providing food and cover for invertebrates. The stumps are left standing as these also play their part in increasing biodiversity.
Look carefully. Can you see the work of the woodpeckers of Kirkwood?
On the left is an area where beech seeds have germinated and grown into small trees. If left, they will grow tall and thin, blocking out the light. The plan for management of the woodland means that they will be thinned. Perhaps 30% will be removed and replaced with saplings of other native trees – silver birch, rowan, oak. Later they will be thinned again. At each stage action taken to allow in light and encourage biodiversity.
Beech re-generation in Kirkwood
To the right of the path, a damp area has been planted with Alder. These young trees have catkins which are attractive to Siskins. As the trees grow, they will provide more food for these migratory birds and perhaps make it easier for visitors to Chadkirk to see them.
Planting for biodiversity: Alder glutinosa
Over the crest of the hill, towards the river, a stand of beech trees shows why this management strategy is helpful. Here below the beech trees there is no undergrowth. This provides much less opportunity for colonisation by wildlife and is vulnerable to soil erosion. In this part of Kirkwood, future work will be undertaken to introduce light by felling 3 fire damaged trees.
All change?
Cuts and/or Re-organisation ? The impact of the double dip can be felt and seen throughout the country.
With £28 million cuts making the headlines, here are some of the ways that these changes might be evident at Chadkirk:
* 18 months ago there were 6 Senior Rangers covering Stockport’s Greenspaces.
Now there are 3.
From April their work will be done by one Countryside Officer.
* The Countryside Officer will be paid approximately £5000 pa less than a Senior Ranger.
* Alan has changed his green sweatshirt for a blue one. He is now employed by SolutionsSK.
He is part of a team of 3. They are based at Etherow and will undertake work in Stockport East. So we will still see him at Chadkirk from time to time.
A team of 3 based in Reddish Vale will take care of Stockport West’s Greenspaces.
* Work within Chadkirk is often contracted out.
The improvements to the path through Kirkwood (from the canal opposite Oakwood Mill to the top of the steps down towards the bridge or gardens ) was undertaken by Utility Landscapes.
* Recent woodland management involving felling of 3 or 4 beech trees was undertaken by ECOS and funded by a WIG – Woodland Initiative Grant.
March
At the March meeting of the Friends of Chadkirk, there was a distinct air of optimism.
Spring was in the air. On Tuesday the temperature had reached 13 C. Visitors to Chadkirk were able to sit in the Walled Garden and enjoy the sunshine. Somehow that warmth and relaxation seemed to affect the mood of the meeting. Or maybe it was some measure of how pleased we all felt with the news of the recent appointment. As is the way at this time of year, change was underway and the possibility of growth is heartening as winter loosens it’s grip.
Recent changes and the prospects of growth featured in many of the items on the agenda of the AGM. There was news of a hedge that was being planted, the installation of the Portrait Bench and woodland management work underway. On the first Saturday of the month, some of the Friends had worked with the Senior Ranger planting a new hedge alongside a wire fence on the Marple side of the river. Gelder Rose, Hawthorn, Dog Rose and Hazel have been planted and John plans to return and do the last 30 metres as soon as he is able. Although the ‘whips’ that went in look more like sticks than a hedge, they will quickly become established and as they grow they will offer a valuable habitat for wildlife.
Can you tell who it is yet?
Countryside Officer in residence … from April 2013
Following the recent interviews, John Rowlands has been offered and accepted the post of Countryside Officer. The 7 days required for appeals has passed so I understand that this information can now be made public. His new role will begin in April. Next time I bump into him down at Chadkirk, I hope to learn more about that role.
However, in the meantime, there’s a sigh of relief crossed with a whoop of celebration. It’s excellent news for Chadkirk, as this means that he will continue to live on site. It’s excellent news for Stockport as the people and green spaces will continue to benefit from his skills, expertise and cheerful good humour. And,last but not least, it’s quite good news for John and his family: he will continue to be able to do the work he loves and he keeps his home at Chadkirk.
There may be a chance to congratulate him personally on Thursday evening when the Friends of Chadkirk meet for their AGM.
Democracy at work
Last night, a meeting of Friends in the Chapel, Chadkirk.
Representatives from Stockport MBC and Solutions SK(SSK) came to talk with Friends of Chadkirk . They provided some further information about the current proposals.
The minutes of the meetings will be available when the Friends of Chadkirk get together in January 2013.
In the meantime…for those who love Chadkirk and the many visitors who were unable to be at the meeting but care what happens, here’s a bit of a summary:
‘the plans will not impact on the occupancy of the house’
matters relating to specific individuals: unable ‘to go into this issue’
Proposed changes across the borough:
3 Senior Ranger posts to go (including the current postholder at Chadkirk)
All Rangers move across to SolutionsSK
In place of 3 Senior Rangers the proposal is that there will be 2 new posts
*Countryside Officer
*An additional Greenspace Project Officer
The planning timescale – some key dates
22 November Greenspace Forum AGM
12 December staffing issues to be agreed
17 December proposals considered and decisions made by the council
January 2013 consultation about the client specification for management and development of Chadkirk
Look out for this client specification to be circulated in mid January.
This will itemise what is to be expected from the organisation looking after Chadkirk. The Head of Public Realm Service will draw up the spec and then if/when SolutionsSK does the work they are responsible for delivering according to that specification.
There is likely to be a 2 week period for consideration and feedback on this spec.
The person in charge of the Public Realm invited people to communicate directly with her via email. There is an exercise to capture and collate comments.
While currently we benefit from having a Senior Ranger on site, the way things unfold will depend upon a clearly identified person to go to for issues big and small that affect the people and environment of Chadkirk.
There will be a team that manages Greenspaces throughout the borough and is responsible to the Head of the Public Realm Service. The actual work of maintaining footpaths, litter, ecological diversity, group activities with the public? Well, most of that looks likely to be done by Solutions SKstaff. Then again, the Chapel remains under another umbrella…the fabric of the building falling under Estates and the day to day running under Culture Recreation Museums.
The work done by the volunteers will continue. As belt tightening continues, there is evidence that this work might become more important. For example: last night there was the suggestion that funds raised by Friends of Chadkirk be used for commissioning maps for people who visit Chadkirik. There is a belief that groups such as Friends of Chadkirk may be able to attract funds from sources not available to the local authority.
Politicians, planners and administrators are looking at more radical ways to organise local greenspaces. But that’s a post for another day.
A visit to the gardens at Chadkirk
Visitors to Chadkirk on Saturday afternoon were able to enjoy the the garden in mellow autumn sunshine. The beech trees in the woodland are beginning to turn to gold, amber and russets. Within the walled garden asters, rudbekias and sedums are in full flower.
As the visitors enjoyed the garden, chapel and woodland walks, a team of volunteers got to work.
In the walled garden, there was work to be done on the lavender bed. This has been stunning during the summer. The circle of lavender encloses a central obelisk with a rose and clematis. This bed was designed and planted a few years ago and the climbers need a better support. Under Alan’s watchful eye, the rose was pruned, the obelisk removed and the site prepared for a new installation.
If you visit the walled garden today, you will see a new obelisk at the centre of the lavender bed. This small but delightful improvement comes courtesy of a bequest. A gift given as a token of gratitude for many happy days at Chadkirk.
The herbaceous borders outside the walled garden required attention. A hardy geranium is flowering. It has flourished in this position, spreading to engulf many of the other plants in the border. Two volunteers worked steadily for a couple of hours, so that other plants can see the light.
Volunteers clear the way for future growth
Meanwhile at the other end of the long border, Alan and John laboured, lifting stones, mixing concrete and installing new fencing.
Earlier in the week Alan had spotted five different species of butterfly on the verbena flowers. Although I was disappointed to have missed that, I was lucky enough to glimpse a comma in the afternoon sunshine.
Short sighted or forward looking?
A comment from a resident:
I am sure there will be few areas within the council that are not subject to change and re-organisation. This is where the problem lies.
I have been a resident near Chadkirk Country Park for more than 10 years and have seen many improvements to the Estate. When I first moved to the area, having only lived several miles away, I did not know it even existed. The estate, at the time had a tenant living in the house; the farm and surrounding fields were, to put it politely ‘un-kept’. Shortly after the tenant had moved out we were given an Estate Manager.
With the tenacity of the Estate Manager, John Rowland, we have overcome many problems and I say this as a ‘we’ because John has become very much part of the community, not just working the estate and seeing his position as merely a job but more of a vocation.
He is an integral part of the Estate; well liked and over the years has gained the respect of both visitors and resident alike. He has a holistic approach to Estate Management, involving all of the people who visit the Estate, offering help and advice, always having time to chat about future plans projects, wildlife etc. Some of the issues that have been overcome include: vandalism, arson, antisocial behaviour, fly tipping and dangerous dogs to name a few.
As already mentioned I have seen many improvements over the past 10 years, the Estate now is a Safe Environment – people feel safe, many people walk on their own especially ladies, one lady I met said she felt safer walking around the Estate than walking through Romiley.
The Estate has been awarded Green Flag Standard, the grounds and paths are well kept, wide enough to cycle and access for the disabled making the Estate a fully inclusive area. The increase in wildlife this could be due to several reasons – natural and man-made habitats, attracting rare birds, butterflies, moths and reptiles. I have also noticed over the years a massive increase in the number of people who visit the Estate. Many come from all over Cheshire, Lancashire and surrounding areas, so the Estate is obviously appealing to the wider community.
Also over the past 10 years the Estate has been designated a Local Nature Reserve, some parts have Conservation Area status, the whole estate is in a ten year Higher Level Stewardship agreement managed by English Nature (awarded for what has been achieved and the vision for the future) and two of the fields (Chapel & Wild Flower Meadow) have just been designated SBIs (Site of Biological Importance).
Without having a permanent resident on the Estate, with a vested interest in the up-keep of the Estate this would soon fall into disrepair, ruining all the hard work and monies the council has already put into place to make Chadkirk Estate a pleasurable place to visit. In short it will end up costing the council more money to correct/fix or pay for added security.
I feel it would be short sighted of the council to make drastic changes to this gem. It is truly a jewel in Stockport’s Crown and we need to fight to save it, for all to enjoy.
The case for a Resident Senior Ranger
I have been involved with Friends of Chadkirk for a few months.
Even so, in that time, there has been a chance to see enough of the work of the resident Senior Ranger to be able to guess at the impact of his loss. The photos on the blog illustrate some his involvement with the local community. There’s all the evening meetings. Setting up the the pond dipping through his contacts with the Cheshire Active Naturalists. Liaising with SKMBC representatives to organise the meeting down by the river after the Bridge opening.
It was his daily presence that enabled a watchful eye to be kept on external contractors. Whether bridge building or hedge cutting, it can be that some one who cares passionately about Chadkirk will help steer activity towards the best outcome for the local community.Together with Alan, a member of the Ranger service, who plays a valuable role in the daily management of the Country Park, they make an effective team.
The renovation of the Walled Garden is a community enterprise illustrating the merits of co-operation between local authority and volunteers: it is the resident Senior Ranger who is on hand to manage that process. He knows which tasks to attend to, has the expertise to advise on planting schemes and ensures that the practical aspects of the job are set up when volunteers arrive to garden on task days.
Beyond that, his daily presence and diligent, cheerful vigilance can be seen in many smaller actions. Ever noticed how litter free Chadkirk is? In part that’s thanks to John. Daily he picks up litter. Daily he cleans the toilets at the car park. And as the need arises he talks with the people who visit the Country Park. Sometimes this involves a timely intervention, when a few rowdies might be upto mischief. Often it involves responding to an alarm in the middle of the night. It might be that wildlife set it off but he will not take that chance. By keeping careful watch, he safeguards Chadkirk for the rest of us.
If you have attended an event at Chadkirk, whether it is the Chadkirk Festival or the Bird Box Building, those who simply enjoy a daily walk, and those who like to sit and take in the beauty of the herbaceous borders, you will have seen and benefited from the work that John does.
Of course he might do more. But then he has a number of other parks, including Bramhall, in his job description. I’d like to see his role at Chadkirk expand. I’d like to see schools and other users benefit from his skills and unique local knowledge.
In the meantime, there are proposals that might see the days of a resident Senior Ranger in Chadkirk come to an end. And come to an end soon.
People power
Belt tightening and cost cutting. Front page news.
You can get the details on this from the local press and elsewhere.
I’m here to celebrate Chadkirk.
Nevertheless there is an awareness that Chadkirk sits in this context.
And in the current climate, the situation may have an impact on Chadkirk.
Friends of Chadkirk are meeting to discuss proposals from the Museums and Cultural Attractions branch of the local government. Along with other groups they have been invited to meetings at Staircase House on October 9th and 10th. Consultation. At Chadkirk, the Chapel falls in their bailliewick.
For many of the users of Chadkirk there is also an awareness that there may be changes afoot that will affect the wider environment. Those who walk round Chadkirk daily, or visit it regularly value it’s beauty, the open spaces, the fresh air. Like me they find it uplifting, energising and beneficial for body, mind and spirit. Chadkirk Country Park.
Chadkirk Country Park is managed by a different branch of local government: Greenspaces.
It seems reasonable to expect that changes are afoot here too.
Given the appeal from Stockport for members of the public to have their say, there is a temptation to wonder about the way the decision making process works. Nevertheless it must also be true that a silence will be seen as a chance to make cuts where people have not expressed any view.
There are a number of possibilities.
On line (see link below).
Letters can be written and left for councillors at the local library.
Appointments can be made to meet with local representatives to enquire and express an interest.
Stockport Council – Stockport Council Home Page.
http://www.stockport.gov.uk/haveyoursay
Friends of Chadkirk plan to meet next week to discuss the proposals.
Date and time to follow.
Please come along.
Proud of Stockport? Proud of Chadkirk
Do you know someone who makes you Proud of Stockport? Is there someone who goes out of their way to make our borough a special place? Then nominate them for an award in our 2013 citizen awards by going to http://www.stockport.gov.uk/proudofstockport
I’m proud of Chadkirk.
I love the place.
I love the space.
And I love the care that has gone into it.
And I am immensely thankful that this special place benefits from the custodianship of John Rowland.
As Senior Ranger, he brings a unique set of skills and expertise.
Perhaps you too have benefited in some small way from the work he does with such cheer and generosity?
I have been involved with Friends of Chadkirk for a few months.
Even so, in that time, there has been a chance to see enough of the work of the resident Senior Ranger to be able to guess at the impact of his loss. The photos on the blog illustrate some his involvement with the local community. There’s all the evening meetings. Setting up the the pond dipping through his contacts with the Cheshire Active Naturalists. Liaising with SKMBC representatives to organise the meeting down by the river after the Bridge opening.
It was his daily presence that enabled a watchful eye to be kept on external contractors. Whether bridge building or hedge cutting, it can be that some one who cares passionately about Chadkirk will help steer activity towards the best outcome for the local community.Together with Alan, a member of the Ranger service, who plays a valuable role in the daily management of the Country Park, they make an effective team.
The renovation of the Walled Garden is a community enterprise illustrating the merits of co-operation between local authority and volunteers: it is the resident Senior Ranger who is on hand to manage that process. He knows which tasks to attend to, has the expertise to advise on planting schemes and ensures that the practical aspects of the job are set up when volunteers arrive to garden on task days.
Beyond that, his daily presence and diligent, cheerful vigilance can be seen in many smaller actions. Ever noticed how litter free Chadkirk is? In part that’s thanks to John. Daily he picks up litter. Daily he cleans the toilets at the car park. And as the need arises he talks with the people who visit the Country Park. Sometimes this involves a timely intervention, when a few rowdies might be upto mischief. Often it involves responding to an alarm in the middle of the night. It might be that wildlife set it off but he will not take that chance. By keeping careful watch, he safeguards Chadkirk for the rest of us.
If you have attended an event at Chadkirk, whether it is the Chadkirk Festival or the Bird Box Building, those who simply enjoy a daily walk, and those who like to sit and take in the beauty of the herbaceous borders, you will have seen and benefited from the work that John does.
Of course he might do more. But then he has a number of other parks, including Bramhall, in his job description. I’d like to see his role at Chadkirk expand. I’d like to see schools and other users benefit from his skills and unique local knowledge.
In the meantime, there are proposals that might see the days of a resident Senior Ranger in Chadkirk come to an end. And come to an end soon. The consultation exercise has begun.
Chadkirk Bridge Portrait Bench
At the September meeting of the Friends of Chadkirk there was a packed agenda.
More of which later.
One thing that was clear was that we weren’t clear… about the plans for the Portrait Bench. So…..a chain of emails later and this is an update from Sustrans:
the vote for the shortlisted characters is still open for on line voting through the SMBC (once on the council site search for Connect2 Project) where I believe both the details of each shortlisted candidate are available along with their current standings in the poll. I am not sure of the exact deadline for the vote to close, but this will need to be shortly, so any encouragement to your blog audience should be to vote as soon as possible.
The final decision will be made by the Connect2 Project steering group under the chairmanship of Councillor Wright. While Sustrans will be funding the bench as a part of the project we do not take part in the final decision as we wish the vote to reflect local opinions rather than our own. Our role is really just to set the parameters for what we require in order to produce the cut steel figures.
Peter Green
Sustrans
Area Manager Greater Manchester
This message is reproduced with the kind permission of Peter Green.
For those who may not have been following the Portrait Bench Poll, there are a couple of previous postings and a brief discussion of candidates.
1st October word from Sustrans:
For your information, the on-line voting finished last Friday and I’m currently waiting for confirmation of the results from our Communications Section”
A popular place
This dragonfly was sunning itself on the wall between the chapel and the walled garden at Chadkirk on Saturday 1st September.
The warm sunshine on Saturday brought plenty of visitors to Chadkirk, the Chapel and the Walled Garden. While there were plenty of the two and four legged kind, it was a delight to spot some other, winged creatures enjoying the warm weather.
Thanks to the sharp eyes of one of our younger visitors, we all gathered round a tombstone in the graveyard. A tiny spec on the green foliage. Thanks to the Senior Ranger, this tiny butterfly could be identified.
Can you name the butterfly?
How about the dragonfly?
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