Rangers get boost to help maintain beauty spot

Pictured (L-R) are Friends Committee Members Phil Procter, Dave Weedon, David Beattie (handing over the keys to Park Manager Simon Thorpe), Jack Spickett, Maureen Hesmondhalgh and Jean Stainton.

The Friends of Cuerden Valley Park have donated £3,000 towards to cost of a new 4x4 vehicle for the park.

The new Toyota Hilux replaces an ageing Land Rover which had been in daily use for the past 17 years and was a familiar sight around the park.

The rangers rely on 4x4 vehicles for accessing all areas of the 650 acres of Park which stretches fro Bamber Bridge to Whittle Le Woods.

The Friends have raised the funds through membership fees and collecting donations at the monthly Farmer’s Market.

Trust Manager Simon Thorpe, who joined the Park in November, said: “We are enormously grateful to the Friends for making this donation and for their continual efforts to fundraise for the park.

“Without their support we would struggle to keep the Park open.”

David Beattie, chairman of the Friends (pictured handing over the keys to Simon), said: “The Friends are pleased to support the Trust in this practical way, whether it is providing plants for the walled orchard or buying a new vehicle.”

Another fundraiser will be this year’s Cuerden Fair, which will be held on Sunday, may 21, starting at 10am and ending at 4pm.

Attractions will include children’s fairground rides and games, woodland crafts, a bouncy castle, tomahawk throwing, bumper boats, birds of prey, newfoundland dogs, reptiles, farm animals, face-painting, musical workshops, circus skills workshops and food stalls.

Entrance is £4 for adults and £2 for children, family tickets are also available.