Following installation of a bug house last year the latest animal residence to be installed at the Sensory Garden in Astley Park is place for hedgehogs to hibernate.
Made from old bricks and capped with a paving slab the home has been made cosy with dry leaves and twigs.
The finished article so nicely concealed… can you spot it?
Autumn is well and truly here now, and its effects are on full show in the trees in Great Wood.
To coincide with the Astley 100 Exhibition currently in the Coach House and Astley Hall, Friends volunteers have produced a more detailed history of Park events over the last 100 years. Thanks to Chorley Council staff for providing archive material and to our members who have carried out the research.
The article is available here:
https://friendsofastleypark.com/100-years-of-astley-park-1924-2024/
Friends of Astley Park have achieved an Outstanding level award – ie ‘top marks’ – at a recent Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ ceremony. This is for our upkeep and presentation of the Sensory Garden and Lost Fountain areas of the Park. Pictured below are Friends’ members Connie and David Joyce receiving the award certificate. However, this award is recognition of all the hard work put in by our members who have maintained and improved these garden features over many months this year so that they are well loved features for the wider community of Park visitors.
This is a picture of our Outstanding Award (the top tier receiving points between 86 and 100). In a few weeks’ time FoAP will receive an analysis of where the points were awarded and a critique of what we did well and suggestions for areas where we can improve. The certificate will be displayed in our section of the Astley 100 exhibition in the Coach House Gallery.
Autumn is a good time of year to discover fungi. Some species form quickly during the damp, cooler days. Others, especially those growing more slowly out of decaying wood, have often been present for months if not years but are newly exposed as other nearby vegetation dies back.
In the former category is Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus). The pictured below specimen was discovered next to the main top path in Great Wood. This is a species that is widely distributed across Europe and North America. They can grow up to 20cm tall, the pictured one is about half that height.
Moving to species that anchor themselves to wood the Turkey-tail (Trametes versicolor) fungus picture below is attached to one of the seats at the Lost Fountain. As with many species of fungus there are numerous varieties exhibiting different colours, but most have caps that grow no larger than 8cm.
Coprinellus micaceus commonly known as the Mica Cap pictured below is another commonly found small fungus which forms as up to 3cm diameter mushrooms. They grow in dense clusters – these were found next to the path near Rectory Close.
Perhaps the most odd-looking find is the Jelly Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) pictured below which is a form of bracket fungus but much smaller than most – the size of a human ear. The Latin name arising from the fact that the ‘ears’ appear mostly on elder – the tree species that Judas hanged himself on after betraying Jesus Christ to his executioners. The picture was taken just off the main path in the Park opposite the playgrounds.
Finally, the smallest of all the fungi featured in this report are Candlesnuff Fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon) pictured below growing amongst lichen. Those shown are only about 1cm tall although they can grow higher, they are also bioluminescent. These were found in Great Wood.
As winter approaches this will probably be the last report of the Wildlife Survey 2024.
The exhibition to mark 100 years of Astley Hall being a museum and the Park as a public asset is being presented in both the Hall and the Coach House first floor Gallery. The exhibits range from historical photographs and recorded recollections of local people to fascinating artefacts including works of art from the Astley Collection. There are also features on the Astley voluntary groups including the Friends of Astley Park. The exhibition runs from 26th October until Christmas and is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays 10am to 4pm.
2024 has been an exceptional year for seeing the Aurora Borealis or ‘Northern Lights’ over Britain. Recently the phenomenon has been photographed over Astley Hall. Thanks to our member Jan Sanderson for sending in this picture.
All seven of the metal-railed footbridges in Great Wood have now been painted. In little over a week, a total of 11 Friends volunteers completed the job working in different teams. Many thanks to all those who took part plus gratitude to Chorley Council for providing the tools and paint. A great job!
Natural barriers, based on hedge laying techniques, can provide several benefits and this is clearly the case with the latest such construction done recently by Friends’ volunteers. Located alongside the main path up towards the Hall from the Lost Fountain, the new barrier helps to stop people and dogs stumbling across a steep gully, protects a biodiverse river embankment from trampling and will act as a wildlife refuge. Pictured are some of our participating members pleased with their morning’s work.
Our annual quiz is planned for Wednesday 2nd October at St Mary’s Parish Centre, off Devonshire Road, Chorley PR7 2BY. It starts at 7.30pm prompt and is open to non-members as well as signed-up Friends. You will be invited to form or join a team. Tickets are £8.00 including a hot pot supper. You need to pre-book but you can pay on the night by contacting Keith Woan on 01257 278759 or via email – k.woan192@btinternet.com
Friends of Astley Park 