From community groups and charities to businesses and schools, we believe that everyone has a role to play in helping nature recovery across Greater Manchester. We’ll be shining a spotlight on the passionate individuals who are already leading the way – our Local Nature Champions.

Today we speak with Norman Jones of Mellor Green Urban Wildlife Area and Community Orchard.


Tell us about your project.

One of my projects is to develop a small green space in Cheadle Hulme into an “urban wildlife area” and to demonstrate what can be done in urban gardens and other small greenspaces. It highlights our biodiversity crisis, particularly for invertebrates, and shows the importance of insect pollinators.

We took over this area from the Council a decade ago; we were concerned it would be built on. It was a patch of rye grass mown every 3 weeks, known for fly-tipping and dog mess. We named the area Mellor Green and literally put it on the map as it is now shown on OS.

There were some mature trees around edge and central old hawthorn & elderberry. Using a grant from the council, we planted an orchard. We persuaded the council to mow just a small area and path around the site. Whilst this wasn’t initially popular people have warmed to it and we now get lots of compliments.

Large areas of grass were scarified and sown with hay rattle, other areas were dug over and areas of invasive species cleared. We have also sown patches with a broad mix of native wild flowers and tussock grass.

How did you first get involved in nature recovery?

I trained as a biologist and worked as a microbial biochemist looking at the fate of detergent chemicals in the environment their toxicity to aquatic invertebrates. I then led a project on the toxicity of heavy metals to coarse fish. I have always enjoyed being outdoors having done a lot of walking & camping when younger.

When I moved to this area 25 years ago, I started walking in the Happy Valley Nature Reserve and met the volunteers. I became Chair of the volunteer, stepping back last year. 15 years ago, I also joined the committee for a local park, organising task days in the park ever since. 10 years ago, we took on the neighbouring Green in addition to the park. I have been developing it ever since and gradually improving it for wildlife.

Friends of Carr’s Wood formed about 5 years ago. Carr’s Wood is a Local Nature in Stockport. I manage the task day; we also have an ongoing programme to remove invasive non-native species.

What do you think nature offers Greater Manchester?

A better greener healthier & more enjoyable environment. A greener environment will help reduce “heat island” effect in urban areas & will reduce the potential for “flash flooding”. This would also benefit residents, enabling them to connect with nature, and appreciate their natural environment and the beauty of the natural world.

Why do you think it’s important more people get involved in nature?

There are numerous reasons for us to encourage people to get involved with nature. There’s plenty of data showing that it improves people’s well-being.

Also, when people are involved in nature, they are more likely to care about it and realise how important it is. They are more inclined to think that tackling the biodiversity crisis & climate change are important issues! We are a part of nature and are dependent on it, particularly for our food supply.

How can people get involved in your project?

We run occasional activities for kids such as “Bug Hunts” which we advertise on notice boards on site and our Facebook page – “Friends of Hesketh Park”.  We can also arrange bug hunts if groups such as cubs and brownies want to visit. I think it’s very important to get children involved in nature, as pressures on the curriculum mean it’s being squeezed out of education.

What do you think is the single greatest priority for nature recovery in Greater Manchester?

The single greatest priority for Nature in Greater Manchester is connectivity! Although it is a large urban conurbation there are many nature reserves, parks and other green spaces. We need to ensure these areas are connected to allow the movement of wildlife between all of these areas. This is particularly important for invertebrates & for flowers.

And if time and resources weren’t an issue, how would you address that priority?

One sure way of achieving improvements will be to harness the energy and enthusiasm of the large number of Friends of Parks Groups across Greater Manchester.

We need a reduction in mowing regimes to allow wildflowers to seed in our parks and on road verges and a total ban on pesticides and herbicides except for those few very invasive & potentially damaging species such as great stinking hogweed. And we need to look at how small greenspaces can be rewilded and connected.

Priority should be given to planting native species wherever possible, to be most beneficial to our native pollinators and other invertebrates. Hedges should contain a mix of native species and be managed for wildlife, such as not cutting hedges when in flower.

Find out more about our plan for nature recovery

Greater Manchester is currently developing its Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which will set out a blueprint for a more liveable city-region, with fairer access to green space for all.

Find out more including ways to get involved on our nature recovery webpage.
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