Prestwich Clough Community Woodland, Bury

“The enthusiasm and commitment of local residents really helped to get this project off the ground,” explains David Dutton, Wildlife Officer for Bury Council, who has been instrumental in the development of the Friends of Prestwich Clough – the local community action group.

In the 1990s, Prestwich Clough in Bury was suffering from a number of environmental and social problems as a result of years of neglect. David tells how the local community decided to take on management of their environment; “Local residents to the Clough had become increasingly concerned about a number of problems in the area such as invasive species on site, which were threatening the ancient woodland habitats, public access as well as illegal incursion by unauthorised motorbikes.

“United under a common purpose to restore the Clough to its former glory, the Friends of Prestwich Clough approached the council to enable them to take action, which is when and how I became involved.”

In partnership with the local community, David worked with the ‘Friends of’ group to make improvements to the Clough, which enabled them to receive GGM funding through Red Rose Forest.

Two rounds of GGM grants have led to vital improvements in the management of the area and the problems on site are now being rectified.

“The regeneration of the Clough is a very rewarding project and with every improvement you can see the results of your hard labour.”

“Although it is an ongoing exercise, we have already been able to make considerable progress. A kissing gate and bow top fence have been installed to prevent access to the Clough, as well as the reintroduction of 20,000 local provenance wildflowers. We have also planted an avenue of forty standard trees on route to the Mount, in memory of Graham Callan, a local resident and active member of the Friends of Prestwich Clough,” added David.