The Astbury Mere Country Park has recently been awarded the Royal Forestry Society Gold Award “Community Woodland of the Year”

This award encourages and rewards woodland projects that benefit communities and is looking for woodland which has been established and managed in a way which is sustainable and beneficial to the landscape, the local people, biodiversity and the economy in the short and long term.

Gold for the Community Woodland of the Year Award 2024, went to Astbury Mere Country Park, an ex-quarry that was originally intended for industrial use in the 1980s before local people came together to form a community group and fight the decision. In the end, half of the site was gifted to the trust and since then, it has become an important part of the local community.

The Judges were impressed by the quality of the mostly broadleaved woodland which covers 17 Ha. Most of the site has been planted but there is also some natural regeneration. The area now covered by the mere was quarried for sand. Spoil from mere excavations created extensive spoil bunds around the edge of the site in steep slopes, creating a bowl effect.  Trees cover these areas and with the mere at the heart, it creates a very attractive landscape.

It, therefore, comes as no surprise that Astbury Mere Country Park is deemed the most popular area of free open access countryside in East Cheshire and includes an area for forest school activity as well as other active pursuits.”

“The site is extremely well used as it has good accessibility and great benefits for people in Congleton,” said Emma Dear and Hillary Allison.

Astbury Mere Trust added: “Through its commitment to sustainable management, educational outreach, and community involvement, Astbury Mere not only adheres to but also embodies the spirit of the Community Woodland of the Year Award’s criteria.

“Education and community engagement are at the heart of Astbury Mere’s ethos. The site is a vibrant hub for community activities that foster a deeper connection with nature and promote environmental stewardship.”

This award encourages and rewards woodland projects that benefit communities. Judges are looking for woodland which has been established and managed in a way which is sustainable and beneficial to the landscape, the local people, biodiversity and the economy in the short and long term.

“The site is extremely well used as it has good accessibility with great benefits to people in Congleton… It is the most popular area of free open access countryside in East Cheshire, and includes an area for forest school activity as well as other active pursuits.”

EIF Judges Emma Dear & Hillary Allison