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
Manchester City ‘strongly condemn’ racist abuse towards first-team players at Everton
Danny Jones
Manchester City Football Club have released a statement following yet more troubling racist abuse in the Premier League this May bank holiday.
Pep Guardiola’s side faced Everton in a fixture that ended in a 3-3 draw, which could prove pivotal in their pursuit of leaders Arsenal.
Sadly, however, one of the main stories to be taken from the game once again revolves around abuse and discrimination.
Match officials were quickly made aware of racial remarks directed at winger Antoine Semenyo on the day, and, unfortunately, defender Marc Guehi has also been the subject of hateful messaging online in the aftermath of the result.
Sharing a short, but simple and emphatic statement, the club wrote: “Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse directed towards Antoine Semenyo at yesterday’s match.
“We welcome the swift action taken by Everton and the police to identify the individual responsible.
“We are also incredibly disappointed to hear that Marc Guéhi was subject to a series of vile racist social media posts last night.”
They go on to add that they will “continue to offer our full support to both Antoine and Marc and never accept discrimination of any kind in our game.”
Everton themselves have since confirmed that local authorities swiftly identified at least one individual alleged to be responsible for the unacceptable behaviour.
As mentioned in their own post, the culprit is said to have been a 71-year-old man who was quickly flagged by fans and stewards inside the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
While this may be the first incident reported at the Toffees’ new home ground, regrettably, it’s just the latest in a long line of similar cases raised not just in English football but the top flight, specifically.
It goes without saying that we’re sorry to hear that stuff like this is still happening, and we send our strength to all those who continue to be affected by this despicable treatment.
As ever, ‘the beautiful game’ is for everyone and racism has no place in society, let alone football – kick it out once and for all. In other news surrounding Man City, there’s also been some controversy surrounding their upcoming FA Youth Cup final.
Rare picture of David Bowie’s legendary one-off gig in Stockport unearthed
Danny Jones
A rare picture taken from the night of the late, great David Bowie’s legendary one-off gig in Stockport has been unearthed by a local whilst digging through his loft.
Imagine having that kind of history just squirrelled away in an attic…
As revealed by Stockport Music Story, after being supplied with the image by David Maynard, the snap was shared more than half a century on from the much-mythologised moment in Greater Manchester music history.
In fact, it was put on display and posted on social media quite literally 56 years to the day since Bowie played his only Stopfordian set on 27 April, 1970.
Maynard himself is featured in the newly discovered photograph (second from the left) and was one of the select and lucky few who were in the room for that very special show.
Organised by a group of teens on behalf of the Stockport Schools’ Students’ Union, the performance took place at the long-gone Poco a Poco music venue and club over in Heaton Chapel.
The storied space hosted many big names over the years – Gerry Marsden, Freddie Starr, Hank Marvin and more – but sadly closed in May of 1987 following a fire.
It went on to become the popular Hinds Head pub, which still serves punters to this day, but once had the honour of hosting a true artistic great and British icon.
For anyone wondering, this is indeed the same night on which David Robert Jones (yes, that’s Bowie‘s full birth name) missed his train home and had to sleep on the railway platform.
Here’s a BBC segment covering the tale back on its 55th anniversary in April 2025.
It may be a small and somewhat curious claim to fame, but native love the legend of it all nonetheless.
As for the other individuals pictured alongside him, Stockport Music Story (SMS) said: “The names of the people we know are David Maynard (2nd left), Roz Wood (3rd left), David Bowie, Bill Frost (2nd right), Stewart Rigby (right).”
They go on to add: “It would be amazing to find out who the other people in the photograph are and what they remember from that night.” We sincerely hope they do.
You can now see the plaque up close and personal at Stockport Station for yourselves and as for SMS’s growing archive of the region’s creative culture, you can find out tonnes more about other pieces of SK heritage right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd June 2021 
