Nature Watch with Ron Freethy

A FEW years ago I was invited to officially open the Fearndean Way, which is a footpath linking Colne and Wycoller.

I thought it was a good idea at the time but I did not realise that it would turn out so well.

This week I visited Ball Grove picnic site, reached from the road to Trawden and by the bridge leading to Winewall.

The bridge and the Cotton Tree Inn looked as if they had been there for centuries, as indeed they had.

Colne Water is now clear enough to support trout and the series of trickling waterfalls are perfect habitats for dipper and grey wagtail.

The children's playground was full of youngsters having fun while the adults were strolling around the old mill lodge, which is popular with anglers. There were plenty of wild flowers but it was one of the most common which took my eye. The seed heads of the dandelion were everywhere and people still have the fun of blowing on these.

They shout "one o'clock, two o'clock" and continue until all the seeds have gone.

Each dandelion "clock" is made up of hundreds of individual seeds, each with its individual parachute. Blowing the clock helps to spread the seeds, especially if a breeze is blowing.

For families with young children, Ball Grove is an excellent place.

They can have a countryside walk, enjoy a picnic and use up their spare energy on the large variety of playground equipment.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.