Astbury Mere Country Park has received a prestigious gold award in the Royal Forestry Society’s Excellence in Forestry awards, winning in the “community woodland of the year”.
The accolade celebrates the efforts made by the park and its community to establish and maintain a woodland that is both sustainable and beneficial to local people, biodiversity, and the economy.
Astbury Mere has transformed what was once a derelict post-industrial landscape into a country park with more than 480,000 visits per year. Forty years after sand quarrying ceased, the park now boasts tree-lined borders, a rich variety of wildlife habitats that surround a beautiful lake.
Around half the circuit of the mere can be carried out in woodland, with steps near the water activity centre and then over by the “beach”. The woodland path runs along Fol Hollow and Banky Fields.
Accepting the award, Margaret Gartside, chair of Astbury Mere Trust, and Luke Myatt, forester, expressed gratitude on behalf of the entire team.
Mrs Gartside said: “Thank you so much for this incredible honour. It’s a true privilege to accept the community woodland of the year award on behalf of everyone who makes Astbury Mere Country Park such a special place. This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the hard work, dedication, and passion of many people.”
A special acknowledgment was made to Matthew Axford, the veteran site ranger, whose leadership keeps the park running, and to Astbury Mere Trust, whose support guides the park’s future.
Volunteers were also recognised for their countless hours of effort, alongside Cheshire East Council’s ranger teams, Congleton Town Council and the park’s contractors.
The judges, Hillary Alison and Emma Dear, said there were particularly impressed by the high standard of woodland management at Astbury Mere, praising an approach that involved management interventions “little and often”.
Ms Alison said: “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.”
The park’s biodiversity has been enhanced through replanting with native broadleaves, wildflower mixes, and removal of non-native species.
The judges also praised the partnerships between Astbury Mere Trust, Cheshire East Council and local community groups that have helped foster the park’s transformation.
Mrs Gartside added: “It’s inspiring to see how a former industrial site has become such a treasured place for the community, thanks to the dedication and collaboration of so many people.
“This gold award is not just a recognition of Astbury Mere’s beauty and biodiversity, but of the collective efforts of the local community, volunteers, and partners who continue to ensure the park remains a thriving, cherished space.”
