Life For a Life – Mersey Meadows
Information in this section provided by the charity itself.
On the Trans Pennine Trail in west Warrington you will come across a new memorial forest and gardens called Mersey Meadow, operated by ‘Life for a Life’. Life for a Life is a NOT FOR PROFIT, NON-DENOMINATIONAL, registered charity (Reg No 1096422) that offers you the chance to commemorate your loved ones by planting memorial trees and installing memorial benches in one of thirty woodland locations across the United Kingdom. Four types of trees are planted: Silver Birch, Mountain Ash, Scots Pine and English Oak. The work supports hospices and other healthcare organisations nationwide.
Mersey Meadow is located near Gatewarth Recycling Centre, Barnard Street, off Liverpool Road, and was opened on 6 February 2004 by the Duke of Westminster. The charity works with local councils, and national utility companies, to help protect Britain’s woodlands. Patrons include the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and Cherie Booth (Blair) QC.
Mersey Meadow is one of two locations in Warrington – the other one is at Lymm adjacent to the Trans Pennine Trail. The Memorial Forest is directly adjacent to Sow Brook and the Trans Pennine Trail and shares borders with Lymm Golf Club.
The Lymm Memorial Forest offers an ideal habitat for wildlife and many species of migrant birds. The species of trees that Life for a Life have introduced to this site are all very well suited to the soil in the area. This spot is an ideal and peaceful setting for the planting of a Memorial Tree. There has also been many benches and picnic tables donated by Life for a Life clients for all to enjoy.
For more details on the charity’s work, telephone 0161 624 2299, or click their website link below.
Fiddler’s Ferries Lagoons
This site is situated between Warrington and Widnes with the main interest centred on four large sludge lagoons built on salt marsh on the north bank of the River Mersey. Access is by permit only and is restricted to the ‘Bird Hide Trail’ which runs through the station, between the lagoons to a bird hide overlooking one of the lagoons and the nearby river. There is bird interest throughout the year, but is especially good in winter for wildfowl and waders as well as occasional rare gulls such as Glaucous and Iceland. Grid Ref : SJ 549853.
Houghton Green Pool
This site has been created as a result of flooding of a deep depression created through the removal of soil to build up the embankments of the M62. As ground-water levels have risen generally in this area over the last 20 years, the pool has increased in size and is now a lake. It is adjacent to the M6 motorway and can be viewed from Delph Lane, south of Winwick or from a footpath from Delph Lane to Croft. It has waterfowl throughout the year but has most in winter, when several species of duck can be seen, including large numbers of Wigeon, and up to 30 Great Crested Grebe. In recent years, there have been sightings of Black-Necked Grebe, which appear to be dispersing to this site from their Woolston Eyes nesting ground. Grid Ref : SJ 622927.
Appleton Reservoir
SJ 602842. Large open water area in beautiful settings. Excellent for waterfowl. Do not swim in the water though. It might look inviting, but it is very dangerous.
Gatewarth Tip & Richmond Bank
Situated on the north bank of the River Mersey below Penketh, Gatewarth Tip is a disused landfill site now being developed as a nature reserve. The nearby sewage works has several pools which are overlooked from this site. Richmond Bank is a large mud-flat in the river.
Grappenhall Heys
SJ 631855. Mature woodland, ponds and parkland supporting a diverse range of plants and animals.
Ladies Walk Wood
SJ 585900. Irregular shaped broadleaved woodland and ponds with good wildlife interest.
Walton Locks
SJ 607864. A disused man-made lagoon between the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey. The banks are clothed in reed and willow scrub which provides habitat for reed bunting and warblers.
This list will be expanded over time.
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