In April 2013 Jenny Taylor, who at the time was a Council Ranger and bat expert, came along to the Friends AGM meeting and gave a talk on all aspects of bat life. Apart from being a fascinating talk it gave us greater understanding on how to move forward with a project to install bat boxes.

After much research by our member Maurice Houghton, it was decided the “Kent” type of box would be the most suitable. Jenny advised that three of these should be fixed to each tree and to use a minimum of seven trees.

For comprehensive information on all you need  to know about bats please follow the link below:

Bat Conservation Trust

From the outset we wanted to involve local schools in the project, we would provide the materials needed and ask the schools to assemble the boxes. Maurice contacted Nick Donnolley from St Michael’s and Dave Goulden from Southlands. They were both happy to be involved.

In September 2014 Maurice secured the grant monies thanks to Councillor Steve Holgate from Lancashire County Council, enabling the timber and fasteners to be purchased and delivered to schools for assembly by pupils.

A few months later the 60 completed boxes were fixed to trees in the Park by the Chorley Council Rangers and the Friends volunteers.

Since the boxes became established, we have organised summer evening “bat talks/walks” open to the public and run by experts in this field.