friendsofastleypark Astley Park - General, FoAP

Merry and safe Christmas

Well, what a year we’ve had! One to forget for most of us I would imagine.

Who would have thought as we chimed in the new year what 2020 had in store for us, and not just us but the whole globe.

So as the year draws to a close the Friends of Astley Park would like to wish our members, our followers and everyone who uses the park a ‘Very Merry Christmas’ and a ‘Happy New Year’.

We will be back working in the park as soon as rules allow in 2021. Keep an eye on the website for dates of up and coming activities and meetings.

Until then, have a fantastic, safe and healthy festive season and we will see you in 2021.

All the best – Friends of Astley Park

P.S. As a footnote I walked around the new Astley Park Trail today and as we approached the Sensory Garden I noticed a tree with just a hint of blossom starting to show. It will be spring before we know it – Take care everyone.

friendsofastleypark Astley Park - General, FoAP

Lockdown 2.0 – All group activities cancelled

Dear all,

As of today, Thursday 5th November, a new national lockdown is in place. Lockdown restrictions mean we are unable to continue with work in the park on a group basis. 

It is still possible to do things such as litter picking, should anyone wish to do so, either with one’s partner or with one other individual with social distancing in place.

This new national lockdown is scheduled to finish on the 2nd December. Our position moving forward will be reviewed when new government announcements are made.

Until then, please stay well and safe and once again, we will see you on the other side.

Take care – Friends of Astley Park

You can follow this blog and keep up to date with things by entering your email address on the ‘Follow this Blog’ section of the Home Page to receive notifications of new posts by email.

friendsofastleypark Astley Park - General, FoAP

FoAP Busy in the Park

Friends of Astley Park members have been very busy over the last couple of weeks.

Chorley Council very kindly provided us with the plants and shrubs that we had asked for to complete the planting around the Lost Fountain.

Connie, David and Jan planted 104 plants last Monday morning. These included:-

• Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea ‘Bagatelle’
• Fillipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’
• Heuchera ‘Lime Green Pie’
• Heuchera ‘Red Spangles’
• Lobelia cardinalis
• Primula bulleyana
• Primula japonica
• Thalictrum aquilegifolium
• Trollius x cultr#orum ‘Alabaster’

We can look forward to seeing them flower next year.

Meanwhile our members have been putting in the wayposts for the new circular route, the Astley Park Trail, which includes the new path running down the north side of the park that FoAP had installed in February/March.

The new trail will be an excellent 2K route which can be used by walkers, runners, cyclists alike and it takes in many interesting features of our lovely park.

Watch this space for more updates. Until then keep well and stay safe.

friendsofastleypark FoAP

Covid-19 Restrictions – Moving Forward

Unfortunately the Friends of Astley Park have decided to CANCEL all indoor activities until further notice pending the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

This will impact the December Members Meeting and our Quiz Night that was scheduled for early October.

The committee has also decided to curtail the MONDAY voluntary work parties in the park until next year.

The Saturday work parties will continue under very strict rules with no more than six people working together and everyone needing to socially distance. We take the rules very seriously and we will assess if indeed these can continue on an ad hoc basis.

This will of course pass in time and we will return with our meetings and work parties but until then please stay safe.

This site will be updated with any information as and when things become clearer.

friendsofastleypark FoAP

**CANCELLED** – Members Meeting 29th September

Hello all, as you will no doubt be aware the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic is still impacting our lives at the moment.

Following this weeks change in local lockdown rules for Lancashire and then the whole of the country the Friends of Astley Park have had to CANCEL next weeks Members Meeting that was due to be held next Tuesday, 29th September at Chorley Town Hall.

Please stay safe and check back with the site for any updated dates.

friendsofastleypark Astley Park - General, FoAP

Saturday 12th September – Working Group

Hi All,

Just a quick note to say we will be working in the park tomorrow, Saturday 12th September.

Jan will be working in the Sensory Garden at the Chorley end of the park and any other activities will be lead from the usual meeting point in the courtyard at the Coach House near Cafe Ambio.

9.30am start running til no later than noon.

Come along and see what we are all about. We hope to see you there.

Planting out – April 2018

 

friendsofastleypark FoAP

Updated Working Party Dates

Hi All,

As promised, we have revised our working party dates on Saturdays and Mondays. These dates can be found HERE.

We are working in the park tomorrow morning, Saturday 1st August. Everyone will be socially distanced and of course we’ll be out in the lovely fresh air.

As per usual, we will meet at the Coach House at 9.30am. If you wish to work on the Sensory Garden with Jan you can go straight there.

At the present time we are not able to advise when indoor meetings such as members’ meetings or Quiz night will be able to be resumed so watch this space.

You can follow this blog and keep up to date with things by entering your email address on the ‘Follow this Blog’ section of the Home Page to receive notifications of new posts by email.

Please follow the UK Government guidelines, stay safe and we’ll post more soon.

friendsofastleypark FoAP

Work during Lockdown

Did you know . . . while we have been in lockdown members have done litter picking, balsam bashing and small jobs in the Sensory Garden, all safely and socially distanced but did you know that Connie and David have been working down at the Lost Fountain?

David has built a wall, which completes the circular wall around the fountain and they have both been washing the pebbles and putting them back, on top of a layer of rock. They have also dug around the existing plants and added a few new ones.

Thank you both for all your hard work.

Connie and David working away by the fountain.
Connie and David working away by the fountain.

You can follow this blog by entering your email address on the ‘Follow this Blog’section of the Home Page to receive notifications of new posts by email.

Please follow the UK Government guidelines, stay safe and we’ll post more soon.

friendsofastleypark FoAP

We’re Back – Slowly and Safely . . .

We hope this post finds you all safe and well in these strange times.

As restrictions are slowly lifted across the country we too, as a group, are starting to plan things moving forward in the ‘new-normal’.

So please keep checking back to the website as we update our calendar of events that will be planned to fit whatever restrictions are in place at the time and to keep everyone safe.

Did you know . . .   that since last Autumn as well as the council maintaining the park, in the interests of health and safety, while we were doing our river cleans and litter picks we also took to clearing debris and litter from the various flights of stone steps, mainly in Great Wood.

You can follow this blog by entering your email address on the ‘Follow this Blog’section of the Home Page to receive notifications of new posts by email.

Please follow the UK Government guidelines, stay safe and we’ll post more soon.

friendsofastleypark FoAP

Sensory Garden Update

It was back in April 2014 when after a lot of hard work behind the scenes by members of Friends of Astley Park that the physical work started on rejuvenating the Sensory Garden. It was officially opened on 23rd July 2014.

Since then the Friends have worked tirelessly to maintain and develop the garden in to the beautiful and tranquil place that it is today.

Jan Sanderson looks at how the garden has matured over the past six years.

 CLICK HERE to see the update

We hope you enjoy the article and look forward to seeing you there soon – Stay Safe