A popular country park in Trafford is set to receive a massive revamp after funding was successfully secured.
Almost £100,000 is being pumped into the transformation of Wellacre Country Park in Urmston, with the improvement of footpaths, bolstered wildlife habitats, and installation of new signs all in the pipeline as work is due to start on the huge project imminently
It comes after conservation charity City of Trees secured £71,142 from Veolia Environmental Trust and a further £25,000 from Trafford Council to carry out the works.
The project will improve the site’s biodiversity and bring better access to nature for local people – which Trafford Council said is vital as part of the post-pandemic green recovery in the borough.
Some of the major improvements set to be carried out include renewing a main footpath from Ambleside to Carrington Road to improve access and enhance safety, as well as replacing all signage and enhancing wildlife habitats across the park.
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On top of that, new information boards and signs will be installed across the site to provide local wildlife and heritage information, and encourage people to explore other local sites and routes as the parks links well to the Urmston Active Neighbourhood and wider Mersey Valley.
☑️ Work begins on a major project to improve access and biodiversity at Wellacre Country Park
The project will improve the site’s biodiversity and bring better access to nature for local people – vital as part of the post-pandemic green recovery.
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The improvements will include renewing a main footpath from Ambleside to Carrington Road to improve access and enhance safety, as well as replacing all signage and enhancing wildlife habitats across the park. There will also be volunteer conservation days so that residents can be part of the transformation of this important green asset.
Habitat enhancements through woodland management, wildflower planting, grassland management and invasive species control will also be carried out.
It’s hoped that local schools and residents will be in the revamp process too.
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“This is fantastic news for Wellacre Country Park and I am delighted that Trafford Council was able to help fund the work which is due to take place.” said Cllr Stephen Adshead, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services.
“Trafford Council is passionate about the environment and we are committed to improving all of Trafford’s green spaces for future generations to enjoy, recognising the multiple benefits they bring.
“It is one of our main priorities and a key part of our pandemic recovery and climate emergency response through nature.”
Almost £100,000 is being pumped into the revamp of Wellacre Country Park in Urmston / Credit: City of Trees
El Walker – spokesperson from City of Trees – added: “We are delighted to have secured this funding as part of our commitment to the Trafford Countryside Management Partnership [as] Wellacre Country Park is a beautifully diverse site with lots of potential for both visitors and wildlife.
“We are looking forward to involving the community in our volunteer days when we can.”
Featured Image – Trafford Council
UK News
FA Cup final confirmed for 3pm kick-off time as Metropolitan Police stress safety for fans
Danny Jones
The start time for the 2023/24 FA Cup final has officially been confirmed with holders Manchester City and challengers Manchester United set to kick off at 3pm on Saturday, 25 May.
It’s a Manc final for the second year running and yet another Manchester Derby this year as City beat Chelsea on penalties to try and defend one of their trophies from last season and Man United did just about enough to scrape through against Coventry City this past weekend.
Logistics and travel arrangements for the conclusion of last year’s FA Cup proved problematic, with the Metropolitan Police stressing that they needed the schedule brought forward to try and help curb crowd trouble – the first time the final had been reverted back to a traditional 3pm start since 2011.
Kick-off times for the knockout tournament have varied for the last three finals, having taken place at 4:45 and 5:15pm in the two years prior to 2023’s first-ever all-Manchester final, but it looks as though the same rationale has been put in place once again.
The kick-off time for the FA Cup final has been confirmed for 3pm.
As per an official statement by the FA, the final has now been officially confirmed as 3pm BST which has been agreed with local authorities, members of the Safety Advisory Group and broadcasters, as well as with the clubs who must take the time needed for fans to travel to and from Wembley into consideration.
While pockets of fighting broke out before and after the game last year, it was deemed that this time would still be the best kick-off time for all parties involved and there will, of course, be an increased police presence in London for the game next month.
Although prioritising safety comes as welcome news, it’ll no doubt prove to be a blow to broadcasters who prefer later kick-offs when eyeing up peak audience numbers; the game is also set to clash with ITV’s coverage of the rugby as the Investec Champions Cup final is also due to start at 2:45pm.
With last season’s historic FA Cup final being the first time the two sides had met in the final in the entire history of the oldest competition in all of football, it rounded off a massive year of viewing figures for the tournament which has continued to hit record numbers in 2024.
The game will once again be shown live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and ITV1; ITVX, UTV, as well as STV, and there will no doubt be huge screenings of the game all over Greater Manchester, where an increased police presence is also expected.
Peter Kay’s gigs at Co-op Live have been postponed as the arena admits it’s not ready for opening act
Danny Jones
Just a day before the venue was set to welcome its very first act, Co-op Live has announced that arena opener Peter Kay’s gigs have unfortunately been cancelledand postponed until later this month.
Both of Peter Kay‘s highly-anticipated shows have ultimately had to be called off after Co-op Live revealed that the brand-new entertainment venue is simply not ready to welcome guests just yet, with work still to be completed on key areas of the building, namely power supply issues.
Issuing a regretful statement on social media, the arena has confirmed that the shows will now be rescheduled to Monday and Tuesday, 29-30 April.
An important update from Co-op Live. Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay. These dates will move from 23 April and 24 Wednesday to Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 April. pic.twitter.com/SxW50Ph5hm
Co-op Live confirms Peter Kay’s pair of opening shows have been cancelled and rescheduled.
Addressing the situation online, Co-op Live said: “Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay…
“It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind. Rescheduling gives us the extra time we need to continue testing thoroughly.
“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size. Peter Kay has very graciously agreed to perform his record-breaking comedy at Co-op Live on 29 (rescheduled from 23) and 30 (rescheduled from 24) April 2024.
“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend. We are very sorry for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause for some.” Safe to say many of those looking forward to the show have been left frustrated.
Booked train ticket hotel and can’t make next week! Place is a joke !!
Please tell me why I am finding this out of flipping TWITTER and have not been emailed?!
— 🧜🏽♀️ Lauren Sparks – Book Siren 🧜🏽♀️ (@thickthighnolie) April 22, 2024
Speaking to The Manc, a Stockport gig-goer who had tickets said they had to find out via social media and that her group had still received no email notifying them about the cancellation, adding, “We just logged into the app to find the date on our tickets had been changed to next Monday”.
As for the beloved Bolton-born stand-up and British comedy legend himself, Kay added: “I’m truly gutted as I know how disappointing this will be for everyone with tickets, but obviously it’s a brand-new venue and it’s important that everything is finished and safe for full capacity audiences.
“Fortunately, we’ve been able to reschedule the shows to next week, (I’ll have to miss my Bums & Tums class) but hopefully I’ll see you then.”
The venue also went on to assure that they will still be hosting The Black Keys on 27 April in the lower bowl with 10k fans as planned and will continue to test the resilience of the venue and its operations for the time being.
They also reminded fans who previously missed out on tickets that due to dates being moved, tickets may now become available.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd June 2021 
