Project blossoms into life

St Michael’s High School, Crosby welcomed the Mayor of Sefton, Kevin E Cluskey to officially open St Michael’s Mere their new woodland walk situated at the far end of the school playing fields.

The new development has been made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery whose Big Lottery Fund has come up with £8,646 and Cargill’s Care Council who donated £870.

The funding has enabled the school to fell a number of dangerous trees and reduce the growth of ground ivy which together with the planting of a broad mix of woodland wildflowers and trees has encouraged healthier plant growth and attracted a greater variety of wildlife. In addition, a circular path has been created, the pond has been dredged and a dipping platform constructed.

Mr Neil McMahon, senior project officer with The Conservation Volunteers, said: “Now that those dangerous trees are out of the way, the prospects here for watching wildlife are terrific. The whole community must benefit from the children’s efforts!”

Headteacher, Dr Simon Hulme, said: “St Michael’s Mere now offers a fantastic environmental resource that will be accessible to our school and the wider community. There is much scope for further improvements to this area and it is hoped that more funding may be found to drive the school’s vision forward.

“The project has been a truly inspiring partnership, bringing together the whole school and its wider community.”

Daniel Vann, a student in Year 11, and chair of the St Michael’s Eco Alliance is delighted: “Working on the Mere Project has been really challenging for all of us. Week after week, and through the cold weather fuelled by Mrs Wilson’s soup, we have cleared the site, planted lots of trees and a wild flower meadow. There will be a great habitat for wildlife this summer and for summers to come. I can’t wait to see it develop.”