Nature Action Plan | Knutsford Town Council

17Mar2026

Pondlife event to launch year of action

Residents are invited to find out more about what they can do to support wildlife that depends on ponds.

On Saturday 21^st March from 2pm-4pm, Knutsford Town Council is launching its year of action for Frogs and Pondlife. After 2025 focused on pollinators, 2026 will be seeing a programme of activity aiming to encourage residents to create ponds and support the wildlife that depends on them.

The event is being held close to World Frog Day (20^th March) which raises awareness about the vital ecological role of frogs and the urgent need to protect them from threats like habitat loss, climate change, and pollution.

Visitors can hear from local ecologists about why garden ponds are the one of the most effective ways to support biodiversity and find out how simple and safe creating a pond in your garden can be.

Two competitions will be launched, a children’s art competition and a Knutsford Ponds competition with the event offering a chance to find out more about how to enter and the prizes on offer.

Knutsford Bake Club are busy this week baking to support the event, so expect some delicious homemade cake. Also on hand will be colouring and crafts, and facepainting for young visitors! The council will also be handing out special ‘pond diaries’ for children to track the progress of their aquatic adventure.

Deputy Town Clerk, Bob Allen said “Our Nature Action Plan is about making Knutsford a sanctuary for wildlife. We’ve seen incredible community engagement with our pollinators last year, and now we want to see the town ‘dive in’ to help our amphibians. Whether you have space for a sunken bucket or a full-scale pond, every pond can foster a host of wildlife”

2Mar2026

Wildlife Planting as part of Nature Action Plan

Volunteers have planted a new native hedge at St Helena’s Field on Longridge as part of the Knutsford Nature Action Plan. This has been followed by planting of trees and an orchard.

The hedge planting took place on 18^th February with a group of residents turning out to help Town Rangers Bob and Alfie get the hedge into the ground. The hedgerow, which will be maintained at 1m high to maintain views across the open space, comprises a mix of native hedging plants including hazel, hawthorn, dog rose, dogwood and alder. The alder has mainly been planted at the boggy Higher Downs end of the field to also help with drainage.

Hedges are a vital wildlife habitat and provide shelter and food for a range of mammals, birds and invertebrates. Even low hedges, such as the one planted, will provide a range of ecological benefits and enhance local wildlife corridors.

Additional tree planting was undertaken by the Town Council’s Town Rangers with a selection of native UK trees, including more Alder, Downy Birch and Oak, being planted to enhance the natural environment. A small community orchard was also planted near the Adelaide Heath Academy side of the green.

The proposals for St Helena’s Field were subject to community consultation in 2025 and the council will explore the implementation of additional measures put forward in that consultation, such as installing benches, later this year.

The planting was delivered as part of the Town Council’s Nature Action Plan which aims to make Knutsford better for wildlife and support biodiversity. Over the last six years the town council has planted trees, created wildlife meadows and raised awareness of population decline, such as through the Bee Trail launched in 2025.

The tree and hedge planted was funded by United Utilities, who joined volunteers to help with the planting. The orchard was funded by Bentley Manchester.

The council’s next activity for its Nature Action Plan is the launch of it’s 2026 wildlife campaign focused on Frogs and Pondlife with a special event taking place on the Moor on 21^st March.

10Feb2026

Help plant a new hedge with Ranger Bob

Volunteers are invited to help plant a new hedge around St Helena’s as part of the Knutsford Nature Action Plan.

With generous funding from United Utilities, a new native hedgerow will be planted around the open space to provide new habitat for wildlife.

Hedges are an important wildlife habitat and as the most widespread semi-natural habitat in the UK, they support a large diversity of flora and fauna. They make a great shelter and their flowers, berries and nuts are a vital food source for invertebrates, birds and mammals.

Just over 200m of hedgerow whips will planted around the perimeter of the site, with regular 3m gaps for passing through.

The planting will take place on Wednesday 18^th February from 10am. Bring a spade/trowel and help make Knutsford a better place for nature.

If you would like to get involved, please sign up by completing the following form, and the council will be in touch with further information: www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/hedgeplanting

If you have any questions or need to register your interest in an alternative format, please do get in touch by emailing enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or calling 01565 653 929

18Sep2025

Pollinator photography competition winners announced

The winners of a competition which saw individuals to connect with nature, hone their photography skills, and contribute to a significant environmental cause have been announced.

Knutsford Town Council launched the photography competition as part of its Knutsford Bee Trail, to encourage residents to take a look at pollinators in action. The winners were announced and prizes awarded at Picnic in the Park on Sunday 14^th September.

The winners were:

Adult: Camera Category

1st Rebecca Ashworth

2nd Rebecca Ashworth

3rd Roger Hume

Adult: Phone Category

1st Helen Brownlie

2nd Simon Cronan

3rd Roger Hume

Under 17s

1^st Michael Taberner

Karl Creaser of Knutsford Photographic Society said “Knutsford Photographic Society was delighted to support and judge the town council’s photo competition as part of the launch of its award winning bee trail.”

The overall standard of entries was high and it was particularly pleasing to see entrants attempt to capture images of pollinators flying into a flower – and getting both in focus! Very many congratulations to all those who were placed in the top three and especially to the winners of the three categories.” Karl added

Knutsford Town Council has been leading a year of activity focused on supporting pollinator insects through its Nature Action Plan. Central to this was the launch of the Knutsford Bee Trail in May, a 3.5m figure-of-eight walk around pollinator friendly spaces in Knutsford which saw the council receive a Bees Needs’ Award from Defra earlier this summer.

The Knutsford Photographic Society is a friendly, enthusiastic group of photographers who aim to have fun while not always taking themselves too seriously. They hold regular meetings and a number of club competitions throughout the year.

11Sep2025

Community Survey on new building and open space enhancements

A new community survey is providing residents with the opportunity to input on two community projects: the development of a new community building on Longridge and enhancements at St Helena’s Field.

St Helana’s Field is a large open space on Longridge, next to St John’s Wood and containing the ancient site of the church of St Helena. The Town Council has prepared proposals to enhance the open space with a focus on promoting biodiversity; measures include leaving areas unmown to support pollinating insects, additional tree planting, including a community orchard, and planting a hedge around the site.

The proposals are also to look at installing benches and, longer term, hardstanding paths to help cross the site during winter. The initial proposals were developed by volunteers and refined following engagement with Cheshire East Council which owns the site. Subject to the survey responses, some planting could take place this winter as part of the council’s Nature Action Plan work.

Across the road from this open space is the site which last year was approved for a development of 225 houses. This development, which has outline planning permission, will be required to provide a new community building and gift it to the Town Council.

The survey aims to help the council’s Longridge Community Building working group develop plans for this new building and better negotiate with the developers to secure the maximum possible benefit for the community. The council is also undertaking a review of existing community venues to evidence what the town needs from a new public building in this area of town.

The survey is open to all residents and can be access at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/survey. Paper surveys are being delivered to houses in the Cross Town and St John’s Wood wards, and for residents outside these areas, can be requested by contacting the Town Council on 01565 653 929.

The survey closes on Friday 10^th October.

27Aug2025

Bat Walk Boosted by Community Grant Scheme

As part of Knutsford Town Council’s Community Grant Scheme, Crosstown Community Orchard has been awarded a grant worth £325 through the gift of five bat detectors.

The charity runs a well-attended Bat and Moth event each September. The free event offers residents a unique opportunity to take a closer look at these wonderful creatures, whilst engaging people in conversation about local green spaces. The focus of the event is to enhance awareness of and appreciation for wildlife and the natural environment, bringing the community together to discuss ecosystems and the impact of different decisions on wildlife.

The 2025 Bat and Moth event takes place on Friday 12^th September, starting at 8:30pm at the shelter on the Moor.

Crosstown Community Orchard is an open to all green space where members of our community can maintain and share in the bounty of an orchard. The charity hosts several events throughout the year and always welcomes new volunteers to support their work.

Orchard trustee, Kevin Griffiths said “The bat detectors will be used every year at our event to enable visitors to hear the sounds of the different bats we find on the Moor.

We’re grateful to the town council for its continued support of our work and invite anyone to join us at this year’s Bat and Moth walk”

For more information about Crosstown Community Orchard please visit www.crosstowncommunityorchard.org.uk. The Town Council’s Community Grant Scheme provides grants of up to £1,500 to support community projects and activities within Knutsford. Funding priorities include providing services/opportunities for young people or older people, providing new or improved assets or services for the community and enhancing the profile or reputation of the Town. The next deadline for applications is 31^st August. For more information visit: https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/services/community-grants.

13Aug2025

Big Bulb Plant Back for 2025

After a two-year hiatus, the Knutsford Big Bulb Plant is back for 2025.

The community-led bulb planting programme puts the bulbs in the hands of residents – inviting them to host a bulb planting event on their neighbourhood green spaces across a two-week period. This year’s Big Bulb Plant will run from 20^th September to 5^th October.

The initiative is coordinated by Knutsford Town Council which provides planting organisers with a collection of suitable bulbs and leaflets to deliver to neighbours inviting them to lend a hand.

Residents who want to see more spring flowering bulbs popping up on spaces near them in spring 2026 can register to host a bulb planting event on the Town Council website at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/big-bulb-plant. They just need to register a location, date and time of their planned planting session (which must be within the period from 20^th September to 5^th October).

Town Clerk, Adam Keppel-Green said “The Big Bulb Plant is all about seeing our town bursting with colour in the spring, whilst also providing some much-needed early nectar for our pollinating insects”.

Previous years have seen bulbs planted at green spaces across the town, from Manor Crescent to Queensway. Previously planted areas can have more bulbs to boost displays.

14Jul2025

Bees’ Needs Champion Award

Knutsford Town Council has been awarded one of the 2025 Bees Needs Champion Awards in recognition of its work taking action to support pollinators.

Through its Nature Action Plan working group, the council has helped create wildflower meadows in locations across the town and this year launched the Knutsford Bee Trail to raise awareness of practical steps residents can take to help reverse the pollinator decline.

The award was made as part of Bees Needs Week, which runs from 14^th to 20^th July. The aim of the week is to raise awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators and share ideas, actions and activities that highlight the ways in which everyone can help them thrive.

When most people think of bees, they think of honeybees, but there are over 270 species of bee in the UK, including the honeybee, 24 species of bumblebee and many different solitary bees. Honeybee populations are doing relatively well, however many wild bee populations, including solitary bees and bumblebees, are struggling. Causes of decline include habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.

“Our focus this year has been on supporting pollinating insects as so much of the rest of nature, including us, relies on strong pollinator populations” said Cllr Rex Mears, Chair of the council’s Environment and Transport Committee.

“We are proud to have received the Bees Needs Champion Award this year recognising the importance of the work we are doing, and we hope this will help inspire others to take action. We will continue on our mission to enhance Knutsford’s ecology”

“I would like to thank the nature action plan working group volunteers and the residents that attended the bee trail launch event, without whom this would not have been possible.” Rex added.

The council has created an information page on its website to share steps residents can take to support pollinators at home, as well as finding out more about the Knutsford Bee Trail. This can be found at https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/bee-trail

There are 5 simple actions that anyone can take to help pollinators:

Grow more nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees. Using window or balcony boxes are good options if you do not have a garden.
Let patches of garden and land grow wild.
Cut grass less often.
Do not disturb insect nests and hibernation spots.
Think carefully about whether to use pesticides.

The Town Council is also running a pollinator photography competition, with entries closing on 31^st August. Photos need to show pollinators in action, including at least one pollinator and flower. More details can be found at https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/bee-trail/photo-comp.

Bee Trail maps can be picked up at locations across the town and will be distributed through school bookbags ahead of the start of the summer holidays. To celebrate Bees Needs Week, you can also find out more about the Bee Trail and our pollinators on the Moor from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday 19^th July.

2Jun2025

Pollinator photography competition launched

Knutsford Town Council, in collaboration with the Knutsford Photographic Society, is thrilled to announce the launch of a captivating photography competition as part of its 2025 focus on pollinators. This initiative aims to highlight the vital role of pollinating insects and encourage community engagement in efforts to reverse their decline.

The Bee Trail Photography Competition invites residents of all ages to capture the beauty and importance of pollinators in action. Participants are encouraged to submit striking photographs featuring at least one pollinator and one flower, showcasing the intricate relationship between these essential creatures and the flora they help thrive.

“We are pleased to be working with Knutsford Photographic Society to launch this competition, which celebrates the natural beauty around us but also serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of our pollinators” said Cllr April Johnson.

“Through the lens of the camera, we hope to foster a deeper appreciation for these insects and inspire actions that support their survival.”

To ensure broad participation, the competition features three categories:

Under 16s: Open to budding photographers 16 and under, using any device (phone or camera).
Ages 17+ (Phone): for those aged 17 and above, capturing the beauty with their phones.
Ages 17+ (Camera): for keen photographers aged 17 and above, using a camera to create captivating images.

Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category. The winning photographs will be unveiled and celebrated during the Picnic in the Park event on September 14th.

This competition is a great opportunity for individuals to connect with nature, hone their photography skills, and contribute to a significant environmental cause. Knutsford Town Council and the Knutsford Photographic Society look forward to seeing the incredible submissions that will undoubtedly emerge from this exciting new venture.

Further details on submission guidelines, deadlines, and specific entry procedures will be made available on the Knutsford Town Council website: https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/bee-trail/photo-comp

Knutsford Town Council is leading a year of activity focused on supporting pollinator insects through its Nature Action Plan. This competition follows the launch of the Knutsford Bee Trail.

8May2025

Knutsford Bee Day to launch new bee trail

A bee-centric event is taking place on the Moor next Saturday as part of World Bee Day.

Knutsford Town Council is hosting the event from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday 17^th May ahead of World Bee Day on 20^th May.

The event will feature talks from Chester University on biodiversity and Manchester Bee Sanctuary will be giving talks about our most prolific pollinators – the bees!

Knutsford Bake Club are running a bee-themed bake sale with organic cordials and children can also hunt out the different bees hiding around the Moor. The event will also launch a new photographic competition being run in conjunction with Knutsford Photographic Society.

The event is to mark the launch of the Knutsford Bee Trail, a new 3.4mile circular walk designed to promote awareness of the importance of pollinators. The Knutsford Bee Trail is being officially launched by Esther McVey MP and the new Mayor of Knutsford.

Visitors to the Bee Day event will also be able to find out more about the practical steps they can take to support pollinating insects like bees and contribute to the Knutsford ‘Bee a Hero’ Pledge Board. The first 100 attendees will receive a packet of wildflower seeds to grow their own pollinator patches at home, and visitors can be in with a chance of winning a bee hotel for their garden. There will also be some pollinator colouring to do, and the chance to find out more about pollinators, including which everyday foods would be affected by a continued decline in pollinators across the world.

The event will also be the first place to pick up a map of the new 3.5 mile Knutsford Bee Trail walk.

“This event is all about raising awareness of what we can all do to support pollinating insects which are vital to our ecosystem and our food supply, and it launches our exciting new permanent bee trail too” said Cllr April Johnson, lead member of the town council’s Nature Action Plan.

“There are so many practical things we can all do in our town to make a huge difference to wild bees and other pollinators. We want them to thrive here. We look forward to seeing you there and together as a town pledging to do more to support our bees”

The Knutsford Bee Trail will be launched at the event and a route map available from the Town Council website from Saturday.

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