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On Grange Park there was an area
of wasteland
that had been left
unattended for many years |
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It had become a meeting place
for youths on motor bikes, a
dumping ground for rubbish
and much more |
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Yet despite all of that
we were still privileged
with the presence of a wide variety
of wildlife living amongst the
tree's and bramble
In March 2003 a group of parents and
local residents got together as
volunteers and formed
Christ the King Wildlife Support Group
Our aim was to transform this wasteland into a
nature conservation area,
not only to protect the wildlife living there.
But benefit the local community
both socially and educationally
After consultation with Blackpool CDU, local residents
and the Catholic Diocese, permission was given by
St Mary's Catholic College
for the group to transform the land into
a nature conservation area to benefit the
local community.
In June 2003 Christ the King Wildlife Support Group applied for
funding from the
BTCV peoples places award scheme.
In 2004 their application was successful
and received a award of £9,998.
One of the highest in Lancashire.
http://www.btcv.org
In March 2004 work began on the clearance of rubbish and dead vegetation.
The work was carried out by the support group and the British Trust Conservation Volunteers.
A footpath at the cost of £6,000 constructed through the project site to join up with the woodland walk.
Pupils from Christ the King Catholic Primary School volunteered to use part of their lunch break to work on the project. They have also given time during the school holidays along with pupils from St Mary's Catholic Collage.
So far over 4,000 volunteer hours have been spent on the project,
and we have transformed it from this
to this
The group are now working with
Grange Park Reassurance Plus
on extending
The Genesis Wildlife Haven
