Walls go up on park's Â£400,000 eco-friendly centre

Mayor Marion Lowe, John Stainton (Chairman of Cuerden Valley Park Trust) Barbara Jones from building designers Straw Works and the volunteers on site.

Work has now begun on the walls of the ambitious building project and Chorley Mayor Coun Marion Lowe was invited to lay the first of 300 hay bales which will make up its exterior

Doors are now expected to open on the new facility in September after the winter weather delayed the building schedule

Park Manager Jim Longbottom said: “Whilst we are a little behind where we would like to be at present, we have an increasing number of volunteers helping us now and the building is starting to take shape. We would like to thank everybody who has contributed so far.’

Mayor Marion Lowe, John Stainton (Chairman of Cuerden Valley Park Trust) Barbara Jones from building designers Straw Works

The new cafe and visitors centre has been made possible in part to a £65,000 contribution from Chorley Borough Council, as well as by significant funding from the Landfill Communities Fund and members of the public.

The straw bales are just one of the many environmentally friendly features of the building, which hopes to be the first in the country to be accredited under the internationally recognised Living Building Challenge.

Trustees of the Park are also looking to members of the community to help name the new centre

The best entries will receive vouchers for use in the café when it opens. Ideas can be emailed to [email protected]

Any volunteers who would like to get involved, please contact the Park Office on 01772 324436.