The Society works hard with other voluntary organisations to secure and enhance the open spaces within and around the town. Our varied initiatives take place in the summer months often in association with other voluntary groups. These are a few of our recent events. We are always open to new suggestions for the town centre and green spaces.
Willow feature, Mill Island.
This was planted in 2006 by Weaver Primary School children in memory of Lynn Cameron, a local teacher who had died of breast cancer. The then Riverside Officer, James Thompson, organised the planting and plaque, paid for by her husband and the then Chair of the Civic Society – Peter Cameron.
It was maintained and used for several years as an outdoor classroom by schoolchildren but when the riverside Officer funds dried up it fell into disuse and nature took it back.
Four years ago, the Volunteers from the Society, Nantwich in Bloom and others, rediscovered the semi circle of willows, overgrown with 4 foot high nettles in the centre and perimeter. Some willows had died so replanting took place and the semi circle was reinforced by prunings, the arch rewoven and a seat built. During Covid restrictions, outdoor working permitted the maintenance and the work benefited several otherwise isolated people as well as regular volunteers.
It has featured favourably in the Nantwich in Bloom’s North West in Bloom entries over the past 3 years.
Volunteer groups continue to maintain and improve the feature.
Monk’s Lane
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Mill Island Pond
In 2025 we cleared the pond needs the story
Town tidy
In addition, the Society arranges ‘clean-up’ events – often in association with other voluntary groups in the town centre and along the riverside and lake.
Canal aqueduct
Balsam bashes
Regular ‘balsam bashes’ take place in the summer months to try and help eliminate the invasive Himalayan Balsam from the banks of the river.
Himalayan balsam was introduced as a garden plant in 1839, but soon escaped and became widely naturalised along riverbanks and ditches, especially close to towns. It is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. Its explosive seed pods aid its spread by sending the seeds into the river, causing further dispersal downstream. Our largest annual plant, it flowers from July to October. The river bank is infested with this and we have undertaken bashes most years. This is holding the invasion in check, but will need continued work in the future.