Risley Moss

I popped over to our nearest nature reserve this afternoon. We haven’t been for over two months - it had become too busy for our comfort, and we’ve been doing other things. On returning I was able to report back to J that it was now a lot quieter, so she might feel more comfortable, particularly before the school holidays start.

This area is where the observation tower was located. It was a striking structure, reminiscent of NASA’s moon lander. From it we’ve had good views over the Moss. But it’s no longer there.

A few years ago kids got in over night and set fire to it. All that remains are the blackened, charred stumps of the wooden supports, held in place by steel brackets. There was a public appeal to fund a replacement, which was successful, and the intention was for it to be erected in 2020, but for obvious reasons that never happened. The new structure will be of corten steel so inflammable. It’s a shame, wood is a much warmer material, but the reserve sits on the edge of the urban area so is always going to be susceptible to intrusion by youngsters. Most will just be being adventurous, but there will always be one or two idiots so that has to be designed for.

Education is something the reserve caters for. School visits have now recommenced on Fridays when the reserve is otherwise closed. I talked to a ranger out collecting different leaves. One of the tasks the kids will be focussing on this Friday is leaf identification.