Woodland carnival marks 21 years

HUNDREDS of people descended on Warrington’s Risley Moss Local Nature Reserve for a woodland carnival to celebrate the 21st birthday of the Mersey Forest.
The fun-filled event was opened by Warrington North MP Helen Jones and consisted of a wide range of activities.
There was willow weaving, mini-beast hunts, art sessions with natural dyes and the chance to create elf hats and fairy crowns, with the soundtrack to the carnival provided by innovative musicians Urban Strawberry Lunch who perform using recycled instruments made from junk.
Over the past two decades The Mersey Forest Partnership, including Warrington Borough Council and neighbouring local authorities, has planted almost nine million trees across Cheshire and Merseyside, with two thirds of local residents saying they have seen their environment improve as a result.
Mersey Forest director Paul Nolan said: “A huge variety of people are involved in creating The Mersey Forest, from schools who have planted woodlands in their grounds, to community volunteers helping look after their local woods, to a wide range of partner organisations.
“Today was about thanking them all, as well as looking ahead and continuing to improve the local environment.”