Latest News

The ‘Green Pond’ is so called because it is nearly always completely covered in duckweed. Friends’ volunteers have in the past tried to clear the thick blanket of weed, but without success. Now miraculously, the surface of the pond is completely clear of vegetation. Several ducks are enjoying the open water, and they are not the only animals to do so. Frogs are ‘making hay as the sun shines’ so to speak and producing extensive spawn. Can you spot a frog’s head and some spawn below?

It is not readily apparent why the water of the pond has quite suddenly cleared over the past few weeks. The weather has not been particularly exceptional. It is thought that the duckweed forms because the water is high in nutrients due to extensive leaf fall into the pond from surrounding trees.

Historically the pond has probably served two special functions in the life of Astley as a grand house and family estate. The ancient remains of an Icehouse are located nearby (see The Astley Park Trail) and the source of frozen water for this may well have been the pond. Also, the waters of the pond provide the feed to the nearby Lost Fountain  Sadly the feed pipe is often blocked with detritus and duckweed!

Crocuses in bloom are sure sign Spring is on the way. There are several locations in the Park where crocuses are now flowering but the best position is alongside the main path from the Park Road gates, as shown below.

Friends’ volunteers have recently been planting 1,500 whip sized trees that will form a new small area of woodland in the Park. This Lancashire County Council initiated project is one of at least 14 being created across the County. Located on land suggested by Chorley Council behind Pet’s Corner, the internationally tried and tested method used involved specially preparing the ground and planting the trees close together for mutual benefit. For more details click here

A few years ago, Swans were a regular sight on the lake next to Astley Hall. More recently they have been largely absent but today (20th February 2025) two young Swans, still showing juvenile plumage, have been caught on camera…

After quite a long wait for stocks to become available Friends of Astley Park have now received the full range equipment needed for our volunteers to carry out regular water quality sampling of the River Chor in the Park. Called the ‘Riverfly’ initiative (for details click here) it involves net sampling for mayfly and related nymph invertebrates along with chemical testing of the water to check for any pollution.

We successfully received a grant from United Utilities to cover the cost of the equipment. The photograph above shows our Chair, Steve Rhodes, with the sampling net, various containers, waders and water testing kit – blue bag. The picture below shows the full contents of the water testing kit!

Using information collected by Friends’ volunteers as part of last year’s Wildlife Survey please take the opportunity to view two new related articles: Biodiversity of Astley Park (click here ) and Wildflowers of Astley Park (click here)

Also, if you have any photographs of the Park that you would like featured on our website, especially of wildlife you have spotted, please go to ‘Contact Us’ on our website to see how you can get in touch.

Use of the steps down from the main path opposite the Hall to the Snowdrop Trail has long been difficult because of the very muddy conditions at the bottom – especially in the winter.

Friends’ volunteers have recently constructed a sturdy timber framework and then secured it firmly in the ground at the foot of the steps. Council staff then filled it with stone aggregate to make an all-weather platform/landing to allow pedestrians to avoid the deep mud – just in time for this year’s Snowdrop Trail display.

Astley Park has had an unusual visitor recently. The North West Air Ambulance helicopter had to land on the main path in the Park due to a mechanical problem. It remained there overnight before it was fixed the following day. This is not the first time the ambulance has visited the Park. A couple of years ago it landed on the playing field to attend to a patient emergency.

This January has seen some exceptionally cold weather over much of Britain. In Astley Park the lake has been largely frozen over, the exception being the area near to the fountain (just to the right of this picture). The frozen ground meant the cancellation of our first working party session of the year. However, our seasonal lunch went ahead at The Astley pub and was enjoyed by about 20 of our members.

2025 is a landmark year for The Friends of Astley Park as it is twenty years since the group was first set up. Look out for news posts on this website setting out how we are going to commemorate our achievements over the last two decades.

Season’s Greetings to all our Members and website viewers. Here’s wishing you all the very best for Christmas and the New Year 2025.