Double award success for New Ferry Butterfly Park

The team picked up 'Level 5 - Outstanding' and 'Gardening for Wildlife (Biodiversity)' honours during a presentation night at Bolton Wanderers FC stadium.

Linda Higginbottom, volunteer co-ordinator at the park, told the Globe: "We were thrilled with the Level 5 - Outstanding award as it was our first time of entering, but then we also won the Gardening for Wildlife award. 

"What an accolade for New Ferry Butterfly Park. All our volunteers deserve the greatest congratulations for their continued support of the Butterfly Park. The awards are testament to everyone's dedication.

"What a great end to this year's opening season."

The North West In Bloom Gardening for Wildlife (Biodiversity) award presented to New Ferry Butterfly Park's volunteers (Image: Wirral Wildlife) The RHS run many schemes to encourage and acknowledge gardening in the widest sense. Wirral is in the area known as North West in Bloom (NWIB).

Mrs Higginbottom continued: "Last year Phil Putwain, chairman of New Ferry Butterfly Park, came up with the idea of applying for an award as it is open to small, volunteer led community groups.

"An initial visit from an RHS judge was made in January and we were encouraged to submit an application.

"This involved creating a portfolio with information about the three areas that would be assessed: community participation, environmental responsibility and gardening achievement."

The Level 5 - Outstanding certificate presented by North West In Bloom to New Ferry Butterfly Park's volunteers (Image: Wirral Wildlife)New Ferry Butterfly Park has always been run by volunteers and been involved with the local community.

The initial idea came from Mel Roberts who lived in a house overlooking the site.

More than a thousand people came the park's opening day in May, volunteers have taken 450 people on guided visits and had 1050 visitors on Sunday afternoons this year.

The attraction has had 34,890 visitors in the last 21 years.

The NWIB Gardening for Wildlife (Biodiversity) trophy (Image: Wirral Wildlife) Mrs Higginbottom continued: "About 50 volunteers are actively involved in practical management, wardening and hosting groups.

"Volunteers also do outreach events to publicise the Butterfly Park, going to schools and other organised events and giving talks.

"Environmental responsibility is a keystone of our nature reserve and, as well as maintaining varied habitats within the site, the plants and insects are well and regularly recorded.

"Butterfly transects are carried out to give a reliable record of species found and changes over time. Monthly photography of the site and wildlife provide a valuable record.

"Gardening achievement has been interpreted based on our identity as a nature reserve. We have Mel’s Garden, our demonstration garden growing pollinator plants, and similar plants are sold on Sunday afternoons.

Mel's Garden at New Ferry Butterfly Park is a demonstration garden growing pollinator plants (Image: Wirral Wildlife)

"In July, Jason Lambert, an RHS Judge, came on a visit. Volunteers from different areas explained what they did and we gave him a comprehensive tour of the Butterfly Park.

"He admitted to being very impressed by what he saw and told us that assessment of entries would take place in July and August. We wouldn’t know the outcome of this until the Awards Ceremony in October."