DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD VOLUNTEERS

 

    

Some of the volunteers in action

Over the last few months I have been lucky enough to have the assistance of a group of volunteers who are taking their Duke of Edinburgh Awards. They have to do community work towards acheiving their awards and this group are all "outdoors" types  - just what I needed in the park.

Today, they cut a box hedge, trimmed the lavender back for winter and then set about removing some self seeded trees that were preventing the reed beds from growing.  Their enthusiasm and cheerfulness are amazing!

Thanks to a great bunch of young men!

New Gates

PENLEY WOODS GATES


 

Thanks are once again due to the Friends of the Mere group (one person in particular) for arranging for the replacement of the gates to the Penley woods part of the Mere Park. They look wonderful!

The Boathouse Restaurant
 

 Many people are coming to The Mere for the first time having been lured by the growing reputation of the Boathouse Restaurant. It is now so popular that they have started their own facebook page.

For those of you who would like to keep up to date with their menu or special events - look them up on facebook under "The Boathouse Ellesmere".

Ellesmere Boat Festival

Decorated Boats along the Towpath

This weekend has seen the annual gathering of canal boats for the Ellesmere Boat Festival. The sunshine brought out a lot of people to enjoy the sight of a host of decorated boats, with this years theme being appropriately " Royalty". This couple spent the afternoon wearing masks of our Queen and Prince Phillip.




Mobile Cafe - what a great idea!

In the main Festival field, Scruffy & I sat happily on the grass being entertained by "Keepers Lock" with their renditions of traditional barging songs. The lady had the voice of a young Mary Hopkin - ah yes, those were the days.

The motor may be old - but runs as smooth as silk!

 

MERE VIEWS

 a picture paints a thousand words.

Tricia's Pavilion Re-opens

Tricia's Pavilion

Plaque above the door

 

Many of you will know the hildren's playground in Cremorne Gardens - and will also know that the small building within it has looked sadly dilapidated for a long time - being vandalised time & time

again. Now, thanks to the Friends of the Mere group, it has been refurbished and brought back into use. Today it opened it's door to host a group of school children taking part in pond dipping activities and woodland rambles.

Merecat says - "well done" to the Friends of the Mere!

Sunrise

MORNING MERE

MORNING MERE

Swan Lake

It's early morning on Swan Lake (otherwise known as The Mere at Ellesmere) and the swans are just getting ready to face the day ---- well, some of them are, Some are just having that extra 10 mins of sleep ( not every bird is an early bird).

It's a joy to be able to walk along the prom and see these beauties only feet away - totally ignoring me and just carrying on with the necessities of life.

If you are an early bird - pop along to the promenade about 6:30 - 7-30am and just sit admiring the sunrise and watching nature awake, I can recommend it as a good start to the day.

CIRCUS "BIG TOP" SETTING UP

 

 

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Well - it's here! Roll Up, Roll Up!
This was the sight that greeted me on my rounds last evening...lots of activity and the circus tent almost up in Cremorne Gardens.
The first show is this evening at 6:00pm, with 2 shows tomorrow (Tues) and a final one onWednesday afternoon.
So be quick - .the tickets for this evenings show have a first day "discount" and are only a fiver - where else can you go for a night's entertainment for that price?