A popular Liverpool woodland area is set to be transformed in a project that could unearth long forgotten secrets of the site's past.
Childwall Woods is a 39-acre woodland in the south east suburbs of Liverpool, with views overlooking the Lancashire and Cheshire plain.
First established in the 1700s, it’s home to a picturesque network of nature trails as well as an abundance of wildlife.
Now the preservation and conservation group The Friends of Childwall Woods and Fields (FCWF) has been granted £90,000 - thanks to Liverpool City Council and a grant from Veolia Environmental Trust - to completely overhaul the site.
John McCombs, Chair of the FCWF, says not only will the renovation improve access, it could also unearth long forgotten secrets of the Woods’ past.
He said: “We’ve quite simply never had a renovation project like this in the history of Woods. The funding represents the biggest investment into the Woods for 50 years.
“And this renovation is a springboard not just for getting more volunteers to join the group but to secure this incredible landscape for future generations.”
Meanwhile Dione Roye - Youth and Community Work student at nearby Liverpool Hope University is helping to coordinate a team of student volunteers to aid the works.
She said: “Childwall Woods is a beautiful, invigorating space that helps people of all ages feel connected not just to nature, but to the surrounding community.
“We've had a tough year with COVID-19 and many people, including students and members of the Childwall community, have felt extremely isolated. The University’s Community Engagement team has jumped at the chance to get involved with this FCWF project, as we believe the Woods represent the perfect place to ‘reconnect’.”
The list of jobs that need to be undertaken in the year-long project is extensive.
John said: "There’s a 1,000 linear metres of pathway to be repaired and hectares of grassland to be restored, as well as the creation of a wetland environment, significant wildflowers being planted, invasive species better managed and new trees introduced."
Some areas of the Woods - such as the ‘Monkey Island’, a sunken garden nestled beneath large sandstone walls - are currently tricky to enjoy as it’s shrouded in mud and brambles but they’ll be cleared out and access restored as part of the overhaul.
A famous ‘Carriageway’, which once led up to the Childwall Hall that sat at the head of the grounds, will also be cleared for the first time in a half-century.
John added: “These are some of the most interesting parts of the Woods and, for me, the renovation of the Carriageway is going to be fascinating.
“The social history of Childwall Woods is just as important as the ecology and species diversity that we enjoy. The Carriageway is a great example of the ‘conspicuous wealth’ of the past, seeing as its hewn from the natural sandstone. There’s a bend in the route so that guests would enjoy a big ‘reveal’ of the manor house in the distance.
“It must have taken an army of navvies to complete the construction, as it’s almost like a mini canal, and it deserves to be reinstated.
“This area is also home to rare and hybrid species of rhododendrons and trees. We’ve inherited this legacy and it needs our support to preserve it.
“And what’s also exciting is that as we peel back the layers of history, we may well find artefacts from the past. The Woods are rich in ancient bottles and WWII memorabilia for example. A local metal detectorist has unearthed quite a collection.
“The biggest reveals, meanwhile, could be found in the ornamental part of the gardens. We suspect there are even more specialist species, including ancient trees, to be found there than we’ve already documented. We have to weave our way through this delicate past and find the right experts to help us understand their significance.”
The Friends group itself has more than 130 family members and eight trustees who support through regular donations and who also take part in volunteering events.
Those volunteer days are also often over-subscribed - as supporters go the extra mile to offer help.
John added: “It’s fantastic that we have this level of support and it’s heartwarming to see people on site, smiling, and lending a hand. We want to create a body of people that’ll carry on beyond this year long project.
“We know the links between nature and wellbeing. Spirits are lifted by being on site. And I think these natural landscapes have become even more valuable and important because of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
