Tipkinder Woodland Walk Anyone seen the tree fella?

Anyone seen the tree fella?

Take a look at the picture of the Tipkinder woodland walk then scroll down to the picture taken a week ago notice anything? You will see that Caroline has got the big whip out and got the Grounds Maintenance out rapidly and they have felled 3 dead poplars along the path towards the car park end.

We have been highlighting the Tipkinder area along with Crewe Blog who has a video of the area on the blog. We have asked Cllrs Roy Cartlidge, Dorothy Flude, Andrew Knowles, Brian Silvester to help improve the area.

What’s needed Short term for this summer?
1 The main path cleared of nettles and brambles and kept that way.
2 Rubbish removed from the river
3 Any dead and dangerous trees made safe.
4 Signs and publicity to show people what they are missing

Caroline Yoxall Cleansing Supervisor Cheshire East Council and the Probation Service have moved quickly and the Probation Service is to clear the paths and remove the rubbish from the river, and Caroline has got the council to inspect the trees. So there is progress already.

Both Groundwork Cheshire and the local Valley Brook Residents Association (the “river” in the pictures is called Valley Brook locally) had drawn up plans for possible footpath and other improvements adjacent to the riverside including removal of overgrown areas and more appropriate tree and shrub planting schemes. Unfortunately in lieu of being able to identify the necessary funding, these plans have never to date been implemented.

What’s needed Long Term?
1 The path by the stream cleared so it’s usable and strengthen the bank.
2 Other paths in the area cleared.
3 Seats not fancy seats but suitable for the area ie posts in the ground and rustic tops
4 Steps for steep area for disabled
5 Proper paths made of gravel like the have done the other side of the golf coarse were there is a nature trail.
6 Better planting in keeping with the area to make it a spectacular walk.
7 Rustic tables for a picnic area
8 Other suggestions for the bottom field to fit in with the BMX and SK8 parks.
9 The big one connect Tipkinder to Queens Park via a bridge as its not safe crossing the road this would in effect extend the park.

Funding anyone got any money?

How much will all this cost? Well not very much most of it is down to man power in any shape or form ie Probation Services, Volunteers, Unemployed Schemes, Council workers. Really that’s all that’s needed for most of it the only cost would be planting of new shrubs and gravel for the paths. I bet places like Bridgemere Garden Center would cough up the plants if they get an advert?

There is the big answer Reaseheath College I used to be a head gardener at a 32 acre site with woods and the college who have 1,000 of student studying trees, country side, propagation etc jumped at the chance to get their student down to learn in a real work environment and they have all the expertise to do a fantastic job maybe for free? I mentioned this and the old H&S came into the conversation well as the college is one of the top in the UK they know more about H&S than most.

While they are at Tipkinder why don’t they get involved in the Queens Park designing new beds, tree management etc lets get the job done? It cost nowt to ask them and the publicity for all is just what is needed for the promotion of the area.

The Tipkinder Project could bring people in for miles around and be used for schools etc so who will take ownership of this project and run with it Who will make it happen?


The path stops at the Old Bridge near the park



The path by the river which is blocked at the moment just needs clearing but its a lovely walk