Tag Archives: Bidston Hill

Clearing Ivy

The Friday Group volunteers meet every Friday morning to carry out maintenance tasks on Bidston Hill. Lately, they’ve been clearing ivy from oak trees and the like, to keep the trees healthy.

Posted in News, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bidston Hill Newsletter – March 2020

In this issue Chairman’s Report General Information The One O’Clock Gun Bidston Lighthouse Bidston Observatory Book Review Chairman’s Report I am pleased to advise that Bidston Hill continues to maintain the Green Flag status, helped by our hard-working volunteers. Bidston Hill The mark of a quality park or green space. Given in recognition of achieving the national standard for parks and green spaces. The aim of the Friends of Bidston Hill is to support the development of the Hill for the local and wider community, whilst striving to maintain the Hill’s unique character. The ‘Friends’ work in partnership with Wirral Council Parks and Countryside Service, creating new ideas and projects … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Friday Group Report: March 2020

17th January to 6th March 2020 It has been very wet this year but the Friday Group lost only two days owing to rain. Most of the time the Group has been working on North Heath, near the Sun Goddess. Many Birch trees have been cut down to prevent seeding this year, similarly many Birch saplings have been cut down to ground level. Material cut down is trimmed to a suitable length and then piled up; log piles like these make good wildlife habitats. One morning was spent on South Heath, near to Rock Path. There is a lot of Heather growing here so time was spent trimming back Gorse … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Volunteer Warden’s Report: January 2020

4th October 2019 to 10th January 2020 Season’s greetings from all members of the Friday Group and best wishes for a prosperous New Year. Last October, Bidston Hill received a visit from the Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral. The occasion was the raising of the Green Flag by His Worship: the flag is awarded to public places which are well maintained for visitors and, once again, the Hill has been a recipient. The following week many bulbs were planted in the wooded triangle of land opposite the entrance to Tam O’Shanter farm — look out for a colourful display this Spring. On parts of South Heath, Heather is now re-generating after … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Volunteer Warden’s Report: September 2019

August 2nd to 27th September 2019 New to most members of the Friday Group was the overgrown driveway to a private house off Boundary Road (by Brow Road) known as “The Clubhouse.” Fire Service vehicles moving up the drive had been damaged by overhanging branches and it was at their request that the Group trimmed back all the bushes and trees. Bidston Windmill was open on two occasions and over 100 visitors attended each time. The building is closed now until April 2020 and it is hoped that bats will return there for hibernation. A bat detector has been purchased by the friends and in mid-August several Committee members met … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in News | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Bidston Hill News – March 2019

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.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Membership renewals

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

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Volunteer Warden’s Report: Winter 2018-19