Chester Zoo is helping to restore lost woodland areas in Cheshire by planting tens of thousands of new trees.
In a bid to transform a low-biodiversity silage field into a major new sanctuary for UK wildlife, almost 19,000 trees have been planted on the Chester Zoo‘s land in Upton in Chester – which spans more than nine hectares – making it the zoo’s biggest habitat creation project to date, and one of the largest tree planting projects to take place in Cheshire in several years.
Forming part of a wider wildlife corridor across the North West region, a diverse mix of UK native broadleaf trees species have been planted – including oak, beech, and hazel.
The tree species have been chosen to provide “high biodiversity benefits” and a “resilience to climate change”, according to the zoo, while the layout has been designed to help butterflies, small mammals, and birds thrive.
We’ve planted a WHOLE woodland to help save UK Wildlife 🌳🐝
Planting 19,000 trees is seriously hard work! 😮💨 But this special place will be a thriving sanctuary for hundreds of species including bees, birds, badgers, foxes, harvest mice and a whole of variety of butterflies and… pic.twitter.com/SzVq7yqbYk
Woodland once covered large areas of Cheshire, however, this has now significantly reduced from the county, largely due to several development projects, agricultural expansion, pollution, invasive species, and also disease.
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Conservationists at the zoo are hoping the new woodland will provide a home for a variety of plants and animals, as well as help to improve soil health and carbon storage to combat climate change.
According to Chester Zoo, the location for this new tree-planting initiative has been specially selected to link with two smaller woods and form one continuous woodland, which will ultimately improve habitat connectivity for local wildlife, and increase resistance to pests and diseases too.
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Chester Zoo has planted 19,000 new trees to help restore Cheshire’s lost woodlands / Credit: Chester Zoo
“Woodland cover in Cheshire is significantly lower than the national average, explained Dr Simon Dowell, who is the Director of Science and Policy at Chester Zoo, “that’s why it’s so important, and so exciting, to have created such a valuable new habitat here at the zoo.”
He continued: “Chester Zoo is widely known for its work to protect species in places right across the world, but it’s important that we look after nature on our doorstep too.
“Having already established a nature reserve at the zoo, the creation of this latest large-scale habitat will deliver benefits for wildlife for decades to come, making a vital contribution to reversing the decline in biodiversity we’re facing here in the UK.”
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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The full list of 125 ‘everyday essentials’ you’ll soon be able to get for cheaper in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Crisps, biscuits, avocado, and chewing gum are just a few of the items that are soon set to be available for cheaper in the UK.
First announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves last week, the Government has now published a list of more than 100 of key items that are set to see targeted cuts to tariffs, alongside uprating mileage rates for the first time in 15 years and reducing VAT.
It covers a wide range of ‘everyday essentials’ – from fresh fruit and vegetables, oil and baked goods, to chocolate, sauces, and soft drinks.
“The war in Iran isn’t our war, but one we will need to respond to,” Chancellor Reeves commented.
“My priority is keeping prices down for households and businesses. That’s why we’re freezing fuel duty, increasing the mileage rate for the first time in 15 years and slashed VAT temporarily this summer to help reduce the cost of days out.”
Full list of 125 ‘everyday essentials’
Garlic
Gherkins
Aubergines
Sweet peppers
Other peppers (capsicum/pimenta)
Olives (fresh/chilled)
Olives (for oil production)
Olives (frozen)
Plantains (fresh and dried)
Bananas (fresh and dried)
Limes
Citrus fruits (various)
Avocados
Fresh figs
Dried figs
Other fresh fruits
Frozen fruits
Dried apricots
Dried apples
Dried peaches/nectarines
Dried pears
Dried papaya
Mixed dried fruit
Mixed nuts
Mixed fruit and nuts
Green tea
Buckwheat
Fonio
Quinoa
Olive oil (extra virgin)
Olive oil (virgin)
Olive oil (other)
Margarine
Mixed fats and oils
Vegetable oils
Chewing gum
Liquorice products
White chocolate
Marzipan and pastes
Throat pastilles
Sugar confectionery
Boiled sweets
Toffees and caramels
Sugar tablets
Cocoa paste
Cocoa powder
Chocolate (bulk and retail)
Chocolate bars
Chocolate with fruit, nuts or cereal
Chocolate spreads
Chocolate drink preparations
Couscous
Crispbread
Gingerbread
Biscuits
Waffles and wafers
Rusks
Toasted bread products
Bread
Pizzas and quiches
Pickled peppers
Prepared vegetables
Crisps
Processed potatoes
Baked beans
Preserved beans
Preserved vegetables
Preserved tropical fruit
Candied fruit
Jams and marmalades
Preserved citrus fruits
Mixed preserved fruit and nuts
Tomato ketchup
Tomato sauces
Soups and broths
Non-alcoholic beverages
Plant-based drinks
Crisps and fresh fruit are two of the items set to see targeted tariff cuts / Credit: Esperanza Doronila | Jonas Kakaroto (via Unsplash)
The Government says these cuts support the action it has already taken to reduce the cost of living – including freezing prescription charges, protecting motorists from fuel duty increases, and raising the minimum wage.
The list of everyday essentials set to see targeted cuts to tariffs comes after the Great British Summer Savings initiative was announced last week.
This means that, from 25 June through to 1 September 2026, a temporary reduced rate of VAT – down from 20% to 5% – will be introduced on children’s meals in restaurants and family leisure activities over the summer period.
Featured Image – Aldi
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Major ‘plan ahead’ travel warning issued for this weekend ahead of Great Manchester Run
Emily Sergeant
A major ‘plan ahead’ warning has been issued for Manchester this weekend.
Heading into the city centre this weekend? Yeah… you and everyone else by the sounds of it, as Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is encouraging people to plan their journeys ahead of time as tens of thousands of people take to the streets for the 2026 AJ Bell Great Manchester Run this Sunday (31 May), whether they are taking part in it or just cheering the runners on.
Runners will either take on a 10K route through Salford, Trafford, and Manchester city centre, or tackle a half marathon route – which stretches further east, while passing some of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks.
Both events start on Portland Street, near the junction with Oxford Street, and finish on Manchester’s main thoroughfare, Deansgate.
A major ‘plan ahead’ travel warning has been issued for this weekend / Credit: Supplied | Janus Boye
TfGM is advising anyone travelling on the day to allow extra time for their journeys and to check before they travel, as there will be a significant number of road closures and extensive bus diversions in place throughout race day.
Road users are being particularly encouraged to check the route and closures in advance, while bus passengers should check whether their services are impacted or diverted.
Trams are being billed as ‘the best way to travel on the day’.
Extra staff will be deployed across the Bee Network, particularly at the busiest stops, and more double-trams are set to be in service.
The 2026 AJ Bell Great Manchester Run is taking place this Sunday / Credit: Supplied
TfGM says it will be working alongside its partners – including Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the bus and tram operators – to monitor and respond to situations as they happen, and will also be working with local authority highways teams to get road restrictions lifted as soon as possible to help minimise any delays for the wider public.
“The Great Manchester Run is always one of the highlights of the city’s events calendar, bringing a fantastic festival atmosphere to the streets of Manchester, Trafford, and Salford,” commented Danny Vaughan, who is the Chief Network Officer.
“With tens of thousands of people expected to travel into the city region it will undoubtedly be a very busy day.
“We want to make sure everyone can take part in or enjoy the event, which is why we encourage people to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journey and check the latest travel information before setting off.”
For live travel updates on race day, head to the TfGM dedicated webpage here.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd October 2024 
