Friends of Our Valley

A Diary of news, events and snippets

March 1st 2010

After other attempts and driven off by the weather, several members managed to fill potholes in a long section of Lakes Road.  The road is all now in a reasonable condition but levelling work is planned soon.

December 2009

A midweek task day resulted in a bush overgrowing the bridleway by Roman Bridge being cut back and an unsightly post by Strines Road being removed. Also another section of Lakes Road had it's potholes filled.

November 2009

Bulb planting and seed scattering along the grass verges of Lakes Road. After a lot of tough preparation work by several members, hundreds of bulbs were planted and millions of seeds scattered on the prepared verges. Passing walkers also joined in and gave support. Next summer should see the fruits of our labours and we hope for masses of wild flowers.  A grant to purchase the seeds and bulbs of £500 was awarded by O2 'It's your community' - Link to our Project

October 2009

Litter pick day. With help from many people we more than filled the skip donated by Solutions SK. A grant for £100 from Viridor Mersey Basin Week bought tools and gloves that were very useful on the day. With extra help from tractors many large pieces of debris were pulled from the river.

Enough rubbish was recovered from the river to fill two skips. Much of the iron removed, remnants of the old New Mills and Strines mills, was a serious danger to canoeists, so that now the river is not only cleaner but safer too.

Great job everyone.

http://www.stockportcitizen.co.uk/news-features/24/news/30802/river-goyt-clean-up

August 2009

Open Public Meeting at Marple Library attended by members and stakeholders to allow questions, concerns and ideas to be aired and discussed. For the committee it was uplifting to have such interest shown and to know we have huge support both from residents and visitors. The many discussions were most helpful and enlightening and points raised have been taken on board for further consideration. Everyone was in agreement that the sympathetic maintenance and management of the valley was a prime concern with the access problems being at the top of the list..

July 2009

Stockport MBC have kindly supplied 100 tons of road planings for Friends of Our Valley to use for the repair and upkeep of the road. This has begun to be laid by volunteers and work will continue for some time. Many thanks to Ernest, SMBC Footpaths & Bridleways Officer for his help, support and understanding. Oh, did we mention patience!

July 2009

British Archaeology Week, guided trips to the site of Bottoms Mill, the wheel pits and other local sites. Over the 2 days many people took advantage of the guided trips and great interest was shown, with some participants joining as members of Friends of Our Valley.

May 2009

An article about Friends of Our Valley published in the Marple Review, with photographs. click here

21st May 2009

A new pontoon for groups to use for canoeing at North Lake was installed. Although not funded by the Group some members assisted in the construction and installation. Local school and scout groups will find it a great improvement.

19th May 2009

For the first time, a Muntjac deer was spotted in the valley, running across the field at Roman Lakes and then across the bottom of the hillside towards Old Hall Farm. The following afternoon it was spotted again near North Lake. The valley also has a small group of Roe Deer that are often spotted especially in the early morning.

11th April 2009

A morning litter pick along the valley produced several bin liners full of rubbish and this made a visual difference. Good work members.

23rd March 2009

Ourvalley.org.uk website launched

19th March 2009

At a very enlightening meeting between the committee and various body representatives a great deal was learned that will help us in the first steps forward. Representatives from Stockport MBC Rights of Way and Biodiversity, The Environment Agency and the Mersey Life project and Chris Baker our local Marple councillor all gave us some clear guidelines to work to and brought up new initiatives that we had not yet considered. The enthusiasm shown to our vision was heartening

18th March 2009

Manchester University together with Mellor Heritage Trust began excavations and plotting at North Lake. The dig, expected to last 2 weeks, quickly uncovered the corner foundations of the mill. Members of Derbyshire Caving Club will be going underground and mapping the many tunnels

4th March 2009

A successful application for a 'start up' grant was presented to Marple Area Committee of Stockport MBC at their meeting in Marple Library. The grant of £500 will go towards printing and advertising expenses and to some small practical projects by members.

25th February 2009

Inauguration meeting of the Group where the name, constitution and committee were voted on.