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Category Archives: News
Volunteer Warden’s Report: July 2019
May 3rd to July 19th 2019 The Windmill has been open to the public three times during this period. This is any ever-popular event with good attendances each time. Tumbledown Hill was cleared in preparation for a visit by John Kuzmjak’s relatives. They were pleased to see the site and hear of the fall that John had had there some years ago. A fire risk was identified behind the fence of Hillside Farm so the trees and bushes there have been cut back. At lot of litter was also found here and much of that was removed but some heavy items could not be carried in the litter bags. Many … Continue reading
Volunteer Warden’s Report: Early Spring 2019
February 15 to April 19, 2019 Sadly, I have to report that “American” John passed away in Arrowe Park Hospital on 13th April. He had been a stalwart member of the Friday Group for many years but retired nearly two years ago. The “Ribbon” area of clearing has been completed, creating good sight lines from Windmill Ridge towards Liverpool. The bushes and trees cut down have been piled up to establish wildlife habitats for insects and birds and so play a part in Nature’s food chain. Near to this area, an ancient quarry has been cleared to form a wetland habitat and a frog was recently seen there. The path … Continue reading
Bidston Hill News – March 2019
Now that spring is here, we can start to get ready for the summer months and we are making plans for the Hill. During the autumn and winter, much work was undertaken by our hard-working volunteers and the following is an indication of what has been done: Some of the taller bushes and trees were removed on North Heath. This was at the Two-Bench View Point on Windmill Ridge and the aim was to increase the range of view here, particularly towards Wales. On the opposite side, looking towards Liverpool, clearing of Birch and Gorse took place and it was decided to create a cleared strip called “The Ribbon.” The … Continue reading
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Tagged bats, Bidston Hill, Friends of Bidston Hill, heritage, Lighthouse, membership, Newsletter, Spring Clean, volunteer, Windmill
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Membership renewals
Memberships of the Friends of Bidston Hill became due for renewal on the 1st of January. Membership costs five pounds per family per year, and entitles you to our regular newsletter and invitations to special events. If you haven’t yet renewed your membership for 2019 (or want to join), you can download the membership form here.
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Tagged Bidston Hill, Friends of Bidston Hill, membership, renewal
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Volunteer Warden’s Report: Winter 2018-19
Friday Group December 2018 saw the continuation of clearing Birch and Gorse from around the two-bench Viewpoint on Windmill Ridge (North Heath). Looking toward Liverpool, it was decided to create a cleared strip of called “The Ribbon.” Clearing a strip some 15 to 20-foot-wide from the Ridge and reaching as far as Taylors Wood, would improve the sightline and also act as a fire-break. Within this cleared area, the wetland parts are being improved for wildlife and habitats for creatures made by piling up cut-down material. Further progress in cutting “The Ribbon” was made in January this year. Looking a little bit further ahead to Spring and Summer, the Friends … Continue reading
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Tagged bats, Bidston Hill, Friday Group, volunteer, Windmill
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Volunteer Warden’s Report: November 2018
During October and November, effort has been made to remove some of the taller bushes and trees on North Heath. This was at the Two-Bench View Point on Windmill Ridge and the aim was to increase the range of view here, particularly towards Wales. Cutting vegetation is this area had its challenges as some of the trees removed were growing on the steep slope that falls away from the Penny-A-Day Dyke pathway. Despite the fires on South Heath, several pockets of Heather were found to have survived. These areas were noticed on the “Heather Heath” between the Main (Windmill) Path and Rock Path, the plants were, however, being smothered by … Continue reading
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Volunteer Warden’s Report – October 2018
During April and May, the Group were active in cutting down Birch and Gorse on South Heath to open up Heather growing areas. Wirral Council purchased some “Tree Poppers,” a device to lever out trees from their roots. These levers were very effective in removing Birch saplings but didn’t work on Gorse bushes; the roots of these are too extensive underground. The first Bidston Hill Open Day was held in May, in very good weather and was a great success, many people coming to the Windmill, Observatory, Punch and Judy (at the Farm) and a Viking display (also at the Farm). Sadly, in June, one of our stalwart supporters, Ron … Continue reading
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Tagged Bidston Hill, Friday Group, volunteer
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Poems by Terry Briscoe
Our good friend Terry Briscoe has contributed much over the years with his voluntary work in the maintenance of Bidston Hill and surrounding areas, he is a valued and respected member of the local community. Those who know him will be endeared by his kindness towards others and his refreshing sense of humour. What you may not know is that Terry is a bit of an author and has written a series of around 300 short poems about Wirral history, people and places, which stir a range of emotions. Quite where Terry acquires his inspiration I do not know however, his work envelops many of our senses including happiness, sadness, … Continue reading
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Volunteer Warden’s Report: April-June 2018
In order to reduce fires, Birch and Gorse were cut down in April on a part of South Heath. The Heather was revealed and looked very attractive for a short while until, at the beginning of the current heat wave, this area was blackened by fire. An Open Day was held in May and, blessed with sunny weather, it was successful in publicising Bidston Hill; The Windmill, Observatory, Lighthouse and Farm receiving many visitors. Using the new “Tree Poppers”, in May a large number of young Birch saplings were dug up from the edge of Taylor’s Wood, not far from the car park. These lever-type implements were found to be … Continue reading
Ron Williams
Our dear friend Ron Williams passed away last week after a short illness. For many years, Ron played a big part in helping keep Bidston Hill and Flaybrick Cemetery suitably maintained for the local community, along with all other volunteers. In addition, every Saturday morning he would head a guided walk through Flaybrick and across Bidston Hill and was very popular with participants, some of which would regularly return time and again. From my knowledge, I think Ron was involved with other local volunteer groups offering his services because he enjoyed this so much. Ron was also the piano/keyboard player with the Northern Rhythm Swing Band, playing at local venues … Continue reading