friendsofastleypark FoAP

Saturday 19th June – Work in the Park

Hi everyone,

We will be working in the park this coming Saturday, 19th June and there is plenty to be on with.

Saturday’s main project will the the replanting around the ‘Lost Fountain‘ area – volunteers for this have been, Jan, Steve, David, Connie & Carolyne (there could be room for one more). After planting watering will need to be done – probably with water from the river so a few watering cans and people with wellies would be helpful.

There is continuing work – weeding etc to be done at the Sensory Garden bearing in mind the probable Britain in Bloom inspection but as Jan will be at the fountain members wishing to work there will need to take their own hand tools.

People are welcome to litter pick and of course there is the start of the mammoth task of Balsam Bashing/Pulling to be undertaken too.

Meet as usual at the Coach House at 9.30am unless you are working on the Sensory Garden, then go directly there.

We hope to see you there.

friendsofastleypark FoAP

Saturday 22nd May – Work in the Park

Hello all,

Although the weather isn’t good today and is forecast for the same tomorrow it is expected that there will be a dry interlude on Saturday 22nd so with this in mind our working day should be able to go ahead.

Jan will be at the Sensory Garden so if anyone wishes to assist there please go there direct otherwise meet up near the coach house as usual – 9.30am start at either venue.

We hope to see you there.

friendsofastleypark Astley Park - General, FoAP

Saturday 24th April – Work in the Park

Hello everyone.

We will be in the park again this coming Saturday, 24th April 2021.

This means working in groups not exceeding 6 people, being socially distanced at all times and preferably masked to adhere to government guidelines.

There is work to be done in the Sensory Garden so anyone wishing to help there should go directly to the garden – 9.30am start.

As well as the usual litter picking we are hoping to get in the river to collect litter and check for any blockages. As we haven’t had much rain lately it should be quite safe to do this but if you are thinking of helping with this task don’t forget your wellingtons – meet at the coach house at 9.30am and we can allocated differnet strteches of the river to people so that we get full coverage.

We hope to see you there.

friendsofastleypark FoAP

New dates for your calendar

Due to the success of our first working group of the year, this past Saturday, we have now updated our calendar of important dates moving forward.

This only includes outdoor working groups at the moment.

More dates will be added as COVID-19 restriction are relaxed going into the summer.

CLICK HERE to see the new Saturday working group dates under the ‘2021 Voluntary Work in The Park‘ section of the page.

The new working group is penciled in for the 24th April at 9.30am.

These dates may be amended or added to as circumstances relating to Covid governance change.

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.

friendsofastleypark FoAP

Working groups to restart

Hello everyone, we hope you are all well and safe after this particularly long winter made to feel even longer due to the second COVID-19 lockdown.

As government guidelines regarding meeting up outside have been relaxed slightly it is probably time to start our Saturday working parties again for those who are comfortable working under the new guidelines.

This means working in groups not exceeding 6 people, being socially distanced at all times and preferably masked.

There will be work to do in the sensory garden and it makes sense for anyone wishing to work there to meet at the sensory garden at 9.30am. Otherwise meet up near the Coach house also at 9.30am. From there there will be work to do around the Fountain and the usual litter picking.

So it’s this Saturday the 10th April, we look forward to seeing you in a safe and secure first meet of year.

friendsofastleypark Astley Park - General, FoAP

Snowdrops and Winter Sun

Hello all,

Well February is here and even though we are in lockdown Astley Park continues to cycle through the seasons.

Today I took a walk into the park and the snowdrops are out and looking wonderful. They are dotted about sporadically through the woodland walks. It was bitterly cold with flurries of snow in the air but also some lovely sunshine so well worth the effort.

So that’s it for now. As soon as we can put a timetable of activities together moving forward through 2021 we will post it here on the website so please keep checking back.

Stay well and safe and once again, we will hopefully see you soon. 

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

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.