Page 11 - Managing Partner Awards Shortlist

Furthermore, with the Green Recovery team on site for much of the year, the site has had a
real buzz of activity, helping to transform both the feel and the appearance of the site.

Ashton's Field
Ashton’s Field is a small 9.2 Ha sites in a challenging area. Despite this, an 80 metre stretch

of hedge laying was achieved in the Lancashire style, a drainage ditch was cleared and
planted with lesser celandine, sneezewort, meadowsweet and ragged robin plug plants by

volunteers. Dead wood habitat piles were also created and wild garlic and wood anemone
and bluebells planted by volunteers.

Woodland management was undertaken by Lancashire Wildlife Trust and extensive tree
work undertaken. The previously laid section of the hedger was maintained by local

volunteers who have learnt a new skill whilst benefitting from the physical and mental
exercise. In addition to this, a wetland area was restored and planted with various wetland
plant species, yellow rattle has been sown and blackthorn incursion removed.

Since the appointment of LWT the proactive management practices that they are putting in
place are revitalising this urban space. Habitats are being restored and improved and the

site contains significant wetland features, with the swales and locks; rich grassland areas;
woodland areas have been planted with bluebells, wood anemones and wild garlic and a
heathland which offers a wealth of habitats and food for butterflies. This management plan

will improve habitats for all species. Whilst on site there is a definite sense that the habitats
are improving and moving in the right direction and site users regularly remark upon this.

In addition to the biodiversity improvements on site they have reached out to the local
community and provide opportunities for:
• Education - training volunteers in various practical management techniques.

• Community/Social cohesion – regular practical volunteering sessions are now run on site
tackling a range of tasks involving 28 individual volunteers contributing a total of 271

volunteer days.
• Health - Twice monthly health walks have resumed using the site following a break during
the pandemic.
• Economic - LWT’s Trainee who regularly worked on the site was successful in moving on

into a full time role as a project officer.
Three other trainees also undertook work on site and were involved in conducting wildlife

surveys – All three have now progressed into full time roles (one with LWT, one with the
Woodland Trust and one with the Mersey Rivers Trust).