Autumn 2009 Newsletter

Saturday 8th August was a very special day for Friends of Anderton and Marbury when the High Sheriff of Cheshire, Lynn Pegler, visited Marbury to present FoAM with a High Sheriff Award for Outstanding Community Service. You can read about this and all our other news in FoAM’s Summer 2026 Newsletter.

If you haven’t already booked, you can still book for our AGM, Quiz and Supper at 7.45 pm on Monday 18th May at Comberbach Memorial Hall. The latest date for booking is Monday 11th May.

FoAM has again arranged a varied series of events during 2026, and a tri-fold leaflet with event details for the coming 6 months is now available from the leaflet dispensers near the Rangers’ Cabin. You can read about these events and our other news in FoAM’s Winter 2025/2026 Newsletter.

As well as our other news we are delighted that Marbury Park has been awarded a Gold Award in the North West in Bloom 2025 competition for outstanding countryside management, bio-diversity enhancement and volunteering. We are also delighted that FoAM is being nominated for The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS). This prestigious award is […]

The White-letter Hairstreak butterfly breeds on mature elm trees and the population of the butterfly in Northwich Woodlands is threatened by the loss of mature elms to Dutch Elm Disease. As part of its 20th Anniversary Celebrations, FoAM initiated a project to plant an avenue of 20 disease resistant elm trees alongside Marbury Lane and […]

Spring is a great time to visit the Woodlands to see the splendid displays of wildflowers and to look out for the migrant birds which are arriving, and also the butterflies, damselflies and dragonflies which are emerging. We hope you are able to join us for our 26th AGM, Quiz and Supper on Monday 19th […]

A few weeks ago, we found out that Ranger Dave James has been based at Northwich Woodlands for 30 years. To mark the occasion, volunteer Graham Walker compiled a photo album cataloguing some of the achievements and events which Dave has been involved with and Graham presented the album to Dave on Wednesday 12th February. […]

As this newsletter was going to press, we found out that Northwich Woodlands had again achieved a Gold Award in the Britain in Bloom Large Parks category. This award is a testament to all the hard work of volunteers, FoAM and the Rangers. FoAM has again run a varied range of events, which have been […]

As part of FoAM’s 25th Anniversary Celebrations, the group was pleased to be able to support a ‘thank you’ barbecue lunch at Marbury for the many volunteers who help in so many ways. Without their invaluable contribution, the Rangers would be unable to maintain Northwich Woodlands so that the many thousands of visitors each year […]

Read our latest news in FoAM’s Spring 2024 Newsletter. There is still time to attend our AGM, Quiz and Supper at Comberbach Memorial Hall on Monday 13th May. The AGM will start at 7.45pm, followed by the Quiz starting at 8.15pm. The cost of the Quiz and Supper is £16 per person, payable in advance. […]

The inaugural meeting of FoAM took place on 27th January 1999, which makes 2024 a special year as FoAM celebrates its 25th Anniversary FoAM’s Winter 2023-24 Newsletter reflects on the Group’s achievements over its first 25 years including highlights from the more than 60 projects the Group has completed. The Group has received many Awards […]

Read about the new volunteers who have joined FoAM’s Committee and the tasks which have been undertaken by the regular Wednesday and Thursday volunteers in the Woodlands. Volunteer groups from Barclays, Gladman Developments and the Environment Agency have all helped over the past few weeks. Whilst at Marbury, the volunteers from Barclays handed over a […]

Read about the interpretation panels at the New Play Area which FoAM has provided to help visitors understand the links between the play area design and what once stood on the site. The project has been made possible thanks to donations from Waitrose, Marbury Ward Councillors and a contribution from FoAM. You can read more […]

For some time, Countryside Ranger Dave James has been keen to reduce his hours and go part-time, before retiring fully in a couple of years’ time. This has now become a reality and we are delighted that Melanie Bradley has been appointed to a part-time role as Countryside Ranger at Northwich Woodlands to work alongside […]

The new bird hide overlooking Budworth Mere was opened officially by Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Louise Gittins. The hide was made possible by funding from Inovyn (through the Landfill Communities Fund), Marbury Ward Councillors, Anderton Concrete (part of the Ibstock Group) and FoAM. In addition, local business, Focalpoint Optics have donated […]

Ranger Dave James and FoAM’s Chair Alan Redley attended the North West Britain in Bloom Awards presentation event at Bolton Stadium on 20th October and were delighted to receive a Gold Award 2022 for Marbury Park Northwich in the Large Park (LA) Category. The award is a tribute to Dave, FoAM and all of those […]

After two years being unable to hold an AGM in person, we were able to meet at Comberbach Memorial Hall on 23rd May for our 23rd AGM. Our AGM was followed by a quiz and supper and the evening was a great success, with a record-breaking 71 people attending. The New Play Area at Marbury […]

The lifting of all legal restrictions relating to Covid has meant we have been able to plan an events programme for this year. We will also be able to hold our 23rd AGM in person on Monday 23rd May at Comberbach Memorial Hall. A local textile artist, Gill Snowball, set up a Textiles in the […]

We are pleased that relaxation of Covid restrictions is making it possible to contemplate a programme of events this year although they are, of course, subject to change in line with any government restrictions which might be imposed. FoAM and all the volunteers in Northwich Woodlands are delighted that our efforts were recognised by the […]

Volunteers have been able to get back to work following the lifting of Covid restrictions and are making great progress cutting back the edges of the many footpaths in the Woodlands. The various wildflower meadows have been mown and volunteers have been busy removing the cuttings. We are delighted that the judges have once again […]

Following the recent relaxations announced by government, FoAM has been able to arrange some family-friendly activities at Marbury during the school holidays. These events have been designed with social distancing in mind and are being arranged with support from The Mersey Forest. You can find details of these events and read about our plan to […]

Northwich Woodlands continues to provide a welcome place to visit as lockdown measures start to be relaxed. If you haven’t visited recently, please don’t miss the opportunity to see the fantastic displays of bluebells and other spring wildflowers. The newsletter contains details about our AGM, which this year will be held by Zoom, at 7.00pm […]

Whilst we are still on lockdown, the Northwich Woodlands remain a wonderful space in which to take exercise. The newsletter includes pictures reflecting the impact of recent weather on the Woodlands and also illustrates the wildlife and plants which can be found during your visit. As well as the impact of the weather, the Woodlands […]

As we enter the second national lockdown, we are fortunate to have Northwich Woodlands on our doorstep. The Woodlands provide a wonderful place to visit for safe exercise and enjoyment. Although FoAM has not been able to restart its events programme as a result of the pandemic, there is still much to report. It’s the […]

This is now the second FoAM newsletter since the start of the pandemic and it still feels strange producing a newsletter when we have been unable to hold any events and volunteers have been unable to work in the Woodlands since 19th March. In spite of this, there is still a lot of news and […]

In these unprecedented times, it seemed quite strange producing a newsletter when all our activities had been stopped as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. However, there is still much of interest to report as the Woodlands are looking fantastic and open for exercise. Read about this and our other news in FoAM’s Spring 2020 […]

The period since our Autumn newsletter has been a busy one and Ashton’s Flash has seen birdwatchers flocking to see a Siberian Stonechat, which is a rare bird to be seen in Britain. The new Marbury Lady tree sculpture has also attracted many people to view and admire the work of renowned wood sculptor, Simon […]

FoAM has had a full programme of activities and events over the past three months. Read about them in our Autumn 2019 Newsletter. Don’t miss the fascinating story of ‘Big Alex’ – a sculpture which was abandoned when Marbury Hall was demolished in 1968. The head of the statue has come onto the market in […]

Read all about completion of the dragonfly pond project at Anderton Nature Park, Picnic in the Park and the rest of our latest news here.

Read about the talk held to celebrate FoAM’s 20th Anniversary and updates on our latest projects. You can also read about the visit to Northwich Woodlands by more than 650 Year 1 pupils from local primary schools and all our other news here.

FoAM is 20 years old and still going strong!  Join us at 7.45pm at Comberbach Memorial Hall on Monday 18th March to celebrate the group’s achievements. You can read about this and our other news and activities in our Winter 2018/19 Newsletter.

If you haven’t visited the Dragonfly Pond at Anderton recently, please go and have a look at our newly completed dipping platform, fencing and kissing gate. The project has been made possible thanks to funding of £1,200 from our Ward Councillors and £6,000 from INOVYN. We are now working on phase 2 of the project […]

The last copies of Cheshire West and Chester’s Explorer Guide ran out and the Council no longer supported funding a reprint.  There is still huge demand from visitors for a printed map, so read how FoAM has funded a new Explorer Map leaflet for Northwich Woodlands.  The new map leaflet has been printed at a […]

  After an on-off start, Spring has finally arrived.  Visit the Woodlands to see the wild garlic and other wildflowers.   Read our latest news in FoAM’s 2018 Spring Newsletter We’re looking forward to our AGM, Quiz and Supper at Comberbach Memorial Hall on Monday.  This year is our 19th AGM – we need to […]

  Read how volunteers have now completed work to make the grotto accessible to visitors and how the project whetted their appetite to explore the Summer House. This has led to volunteers wanting to find out more about Marbury Lodge – the toll cottage which once stood on Marbury Lane, near the canal bridge.   […]

    Read about a feature in the Park near the Ice Pond we know as ‘the Grotto’. We’ve wanted to explore the area for several years and a lot of hard and dirty work has removed a good half metre of debris and mud. Stonework, which could have been an artificial well, has been […]

Our Music in the Park event this year was the most successful ever, with more than 170 attending. Read about this and all our other news in FoAM’s Summer Newsletter 2017  

Volunteers and rangers have recently completed the winter work programme and spring is here. FoAM Newsletter Spring 2017 contains all our latest news.  Pod’s Hide Opening We are now preparing for our next major event, which is our AGM and Quiz at Comberbach Memorial Hall. The AGM is at 7.45pm on Monday 15th May, followed by the […]

We have been busy the past few weeks working on our community project to build a new bird hide on Neumann’s Flash.  Pod’s hide is in memory of local bird watcher Pete Antrobus, whose colleagues joined us for two days to help build it. We were delighted that Leader of the Council, Cllr Sam Dixon, […]

The Council’s Leadership Team came to the Northwich Woodlands on 14th October to find out about the range of activities undertaken by volunteers. They saw the close working relationship between Cheshire West and Chester staff, FoAM and volunteers and took the opportunity to get involved in volunteering activities during their visit. You can read more about their visit […]

Read about the opening of the Saltscape Trail, which links the Lion Salt Works and Anderton Boat Lift.  Try the Orchid Walk or the Dragonfly Walk separately (both 3 miles), or the figure of eight walk (6 miles / 10km), which covers both trails.  Information about the opening and our other news is in FoAM’s Summer […]

Read all about the celebration held to mark the opening of the new Toilets, Rangers’ and Volunteers’ Cabins at Marbury and other recent improvements at Northwich Woodlands.  Our Spring 2016 Newsletter contains this and all our other news.

    FoAM’s volunteering activities and many of our events promote health and well being.   Volunteers were pleased to set up FoAM’s display at Barnton Library in support of a Health and Wellbeing Week.   Coming out of meetings between FoAM and the Rangers’ Managers has been a recognition that the accommodation at Marbury is in […]

  Read our  Autumn2015Newsletter. Find out about Northwich Woodlands retaining its Green Flag Award and FoAM’s involvement in the recent Heritage Day, as well as all our other news.  

  Read our latest news in FoAM’s Summer 2015 Newsletter. Find out how volunteers have replaced timber cladding on the entrance arch at Marbury using timber felled in the Woodlands. Also read how FoAM and the Rangers have been successful in retaining the Green Flag Award for Northwich Woodlands.

  Read FoAM’s latest news in our Spring 2015 Newsletter Remember to book your place at our Quiz on Monday 18th May.  You can find details of the AGM and Quiz on page 5 of the newsletter.  You need to book with Anna Cooper on 01606 891683 (email annacooper31@hotmail.com) by 11th May, so that we know […]

    Read about our Christmas Decorations’ Workshop and all our other news in FoAM’s Newsletter Winter 2014-15

  Read about the many hours of hard work by volunteers and Rangers to improve the habitat at Haydn’s Pool.  This, and our other news, can be found in FoAM’s Autumn 2014 Newsletter

  Read FoAM’s Summer 2014 Newsletter to find our latest news.  See the progress made completing the path near Marbury Lodge, which is part of our Marbury Arboretum project and put our forthcoming events in your diary.

  Read FoAM’s  Newsletter Spring 2014 to find all our latest news. If you’re out and about, why not take a walk round the upgraded footpath at Anderton Nature Park and discover the sculptures created by volunteers.  A Woodland Improvement Grant has enabled creation of a wheelchair friendly, circular path from the car park.

This issue of our Newsletter contains an interesting perspective from a mobility scooter user on visiting Marbury Country Park. We also report on FoAM’s success in getting £25,000 earmarked within the Saltscape Project. This will enable a way-marked trail through Northwich Woodlands between the Lion Salt Works and Anderton Boat Lift, to show visitors the […]

Read that Northwich Woodlands gained a silver Community Woodlands Award in the Royal Forestry Commission’s Excellence in Forestry Awards. Then, as we were going to press, Northwich Woodlands gained a Green Flag Award. Both these awards are testament to what can be achieved when a Friends Group works in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester […]

  Click Spring 2013 Newsletter to read our latest news. Read about our photographic competition and see the winning entry in the Landscape Category – Into the Light by Alison Hamlin-Jones.

  Click FoAM’s Newsletter Winter 2012-2013 to read our latest news.   Our latest project to create a wild bird seed meadow has been a great success. Take a walk along Marbury Lane and find the local finches and buntings at their dinner table.

Click FoAM’s Autumn 2012 Newsletter to read our latest news. You will see that despite the poor weather over the summer, the rain held off for two outdoor picnic events.

Click FoAM’s Summer Newsletter 2012 to read about how Marbury Lodge has come into its own in the awful weather we’ve been having.

The latest edition of our Newsletter has been published and you can find it by clicking Newsletter Winter 2011-12. Read about the successful opening of Marbury Lodge, our new visitor shelter.  Also, get your diary out and look at our list of events planned for 2012.  We hope to see you at many of them.

Read about completion of Marbury Lodge, our exciting and ambitious project to build a visitor shelter at Marbury Country Park. We have also built a second island at Haydn’s Pool, Anderton Nature Park. This will provide a safe haven for small breeding wading birds. Another completed project, also at Haydn’s Pool, installed a water supply […]

You can find all the latest news about FoAM  by clicking Newsletter Summer 2011.  Read about the success with our sand martin bank and the progress being made with our project to provide an open-sided, green oak visitor shelter at Marbury. Update: Since publication of our newsletter, we have received Planning Permission and Building Control […]

Get our latest news!   FoAM’s Spring 2011 Newsletter is now available. Read about the bittern which obliged by showing itself just as visitors attending our Bird Walk reached Marbury Mere!

 As the memories linger of  snow covering Marbury, we look forward to spring and a successful 2011. Our latest newsletter is now available.  Click FoAM Winter 2010-11 Newsletter to read it.

FoAM’s latest newsletter is now issued.  Click Newsletter Autumn 2010 to read it.

 Please take a look at our  Summer 2010  Newsletter which is now issued.  We hope you enjoy reading it.

Our Spring 2010 Newsletter  contains the latest news about our activities and projects.

  Welcome from the Marbury Snowman. Our  Winter Newsletter is now available.

The autumn edition of FoAM’s newsletter is now issued.

Welcome to the bumper six-page summer edition of the FoAM newsletter.