News & Events

1. TASK DAYS 2012 

Our meeting place is at the pond behind Bramhall High School (see map on the "How to find Happy Valley" page) and unless otherwise stated, we have one task day each month on a Sunday - see dates below, starting 10am and finishing around 1pm.

We can also arrange special Task Days for groups of volunteers on other days in the week - for example, see the item about the John Lewis Staff Task Day further down this page.

PLEASE come and help! Just wear suitable clothing and footwear, and we will bring any tools required.

It would be useful if we have an idea of how many volunteers want to take part, so if you are interested in helping, please let us know via the Contact Us page. 

2. LATEST NEWS 

John Lewis Staff Task Day 

On 1st Oct 2011, eighteen of the staff from the John Lewis Cheadle store volunteered for a variety of tasks at Happy Valley. Together with three Park staff, and FOLV members, the John Lewis volunteers tackled the relaying of paths, lopping overhanging tree branches, general maintenance, and clearing bullrushes from the pond (and only one fell in !!). Many thanks go to all those involved - an enormous amount of work was done on a very hot day. You can see the pictures by following the link below to Flickr -
CLICK HERE for the Pictures

GGM 10th Anniversary 

Back in 1999/2000 major improvements were made in Happy Valley. These included new paths, disabled access, footbridge ramps, stepping stones, an interpretation/rubbing board, seating, 2 welcome signs and 3 wooden notice boards, which have since been replaced. A wildlife pond, with a dipping platform, was created in the field behind Bramhall High School and also a new native hedge and native wildflower bulbs were planted by volunteers. All this was made possible with grants from Greening Greater Manchester (£54,000) and Biffaward (£56,721).
This project was so successful both grant funders presented Friends of Ladybrook Valley with prestigious awards, which no other Stockport greenspace group had ever achieved before, or have since:
- Greening Greater Manchester Awards 2001 – Excellence Award
- Greening Greater Manchester Awards 2001 – People & Places Award
- The Biffawards 2001 - Category Winner
In 2009 Groundwork, who distribute the Greening Greater Manchester fund, celebrated the tenth year of this grant and included Friends of Ladybrook Valley in the celebrations with a visit to Happy Valley. The only 'dampener' to the day was the pouring rain – as these pictures show – and we never did get the chance to sample the cake !!!

3. GRANTS AWARDED 

In the last few years we have received the following grants. Our thanks go to all the Agencies and Organisations for their valued support.

Dec 2011 - The William Dean Trust have made a substantial contribution of £500 towards the cost of employing BTCV to dig out a stream, which is overflowing in bad weather and is subsequently eroding the path.  

 

Spring 2011 - £370 from the Area Flexibility Grant Fund, and materials to the value of £240 from the Parks Department - used for multiple projects including :-
• Constructing 2 revetments and topping up with recycled stone, to stop the path falling away.
• Replacing fencing.
• Installing kickboard to Valley Road steps and infilling steps.
• Building up path to footbridge.   

 

Mar 2010 - Action Earth. £48 - Pond gloves.  

 

Jan 2010 - We have been awarded the Community Foundation's "Quality Standard for Funding", which "recognises good practice in grant management and reporting". This was achieved by meeting the 8 assessment criteria for our recent 'steps project'.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 2009 - Action Earth. £49.36 - a complete set of drain rods, plus extra rods.  

 

April 2009 - The Community Foundation for Greater Manchester has awarded us £4,149.62 from the Stockport Community Fund to be used to construct steps and improve pathways.