Smithills Nature Trail Volunteer Project

The group has been established to restore Smithills Nature Trail, in order to enable safe access for all - it is a community based volunteer group, formed in July 2024 and is aligned to the Friends of Smithills Hall (FOSH), a constituted group. Partnership arrangements have been established with local councillors and relevant council departments. The group is in the process of securing partnerships with other organisations to secure expertise eg the Woodland Trust, TCV etc

Smithills Nature Trail is located within Smithills Hall Country Park, a grade 2 listed country park, close to Smithills Hall which is a grade 1 listed building, the landowner being Bolton Council . It is one of the areas of outstanding beauty within Bolton and attracts local residents, the wider community, walkers, as well as visitors attending Smithills Hall and Smithills Farm. Historically, the trail with its woodlands, waterways, bridges and numerous pathways was managed by a ranger. Litter was removed and a range of wildlife could be observed. The woodland provided the beauty of a bluebell woods as well as deciduous woodland. Other notable features such as old weirs, sluices and tunnels are observable and are thought to have controlled the flow of water for the local working mills.

Over recent years, the area has become neglected making areas in the trail inaccessible. Walkers can now be regularly seen struggling when trying to navigate the area, having to abandon their walks. The trail requires conservation work to prevent further deterioration. Securing accessibility is a priority ,as wheelchair and pram access is no longer possible. Signage is required and some pathways require re-routing due to changes in the landscape and risk areas.

Large areas are now covered with invasive species such as rhododendron, himalayan balsam, japanese knotweed and giant hogweed, all of which is destroying the habitat and reducing the native flowers e.g. bluebells. Effective management is required to improve the habitat for wild flowers, trees , grasses and wildlife.

Objectives of project:
Identifying suitable partners with proven conservation credential and expertise, together with community groups and individuals to support and coordinate the planned work.
Identify potential national regional expertise/ interest in the woodland and heritage issues.
Ongoing identification and reporting of woodland areas that pose a public safety risk.
Re-instating, re-routing and signage within the nature trail walks, improving access for all including wheelchair, pram access.
Finding ways to keep the woodland free from litter.
Reducing and eliminating invasive plants, trees and species from the woodland
Identifying and maintaining key features of interest.
Managing the deciduous woodland.
Managing the water ways to create effective habitats
Reinstating the access to the fishing pond on the edge of the trail - there is potential disabled access which has never been used and is blocked.
Creating areas of interest, activity and access for all.
Encouraging participation of children, young people and the community.
Identifying ownership of the woodland on the edge near temple rd. and influencing the owners to take action.

Work to Date:
Network of community volunteers created and links to relevant community groups established : Smithills Community Alliance, Bolton Council, Corporate Services, FOSH.
Accountability and communication channels established. Financial management identified through the FOSH.
On site visits to identify areas of risk where improvements are needed.
Litter picking and balsam bashing undertaken.
An existing walkway in zone 1 refurbished using reclaimed timber. Equipment and nails used has been provided by volunteers to date.
Woodland management undertaken in zone 1 and 2.
A 30 metre dead wood hedge built by volunteers at a high risk area.

Funding Required to:
Improve, repair and replace wooden walkways and steps to reduce the risk to the public. Materials and equipment needed.
Create fencing in areas of risk to prevent public injury.
Improve the green areas surrounding the nature trail by the removal of invasive trees such as rhododendrons.
Train volunteers in respect of first aid, woodland management and health and safety.
Environmental survey to include woodland and waterways is crucial but not yet costed.
Woodland management is required throughout the estate including; removal of balsam and other non-native or invasive species, removal of rhododendrons and management of bramble required. Planting of suitable native trees, bushes, flowers, grasses and shrubs . Re-planting trees, flowers and grasses.
Litter picking is necessary throughout and the management of dog waste remains problematic, consideration needed in respect to litterbins.
Throughout the woodland there is opportunity for forests schools, benches, picnic areas, creating wetland areas and woodland sculptures.
Wildlife will be protected and encouraged through improved habitats – expertise will be required.

We meet Weekly on Mondays between variable and variable .
For information about our next event, please contact us

Contact Details

Jane Carwardine

07769931943

whitstersjane@aol.com