Green fingered enthusiasts are needed to help preserve a historic woodland area. Bolton Scene Spring 2007

The Lostock and Chew Moor Conservation Group are keen to recruit more volunteers to protect St John’s Wood, off Tempest Road, and an adjoining meadow.

The woodland is not only a haven for squirrels, trees and birds but is also home to crocus nudiflorus: rare leggy purple flowers planted in the 12th Century by an ancient order of knights.

The path around the wood is used by walkers of all ages. The walkway was created in 2004 after the group received a grant from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. The area forum also awarded the group a grant of £250 to help pay their public liability insurance.

Mary Berry, group secretary, explained their main aim was to protect the area:
“We want to regenerate the wood, get meadow flowers growing and maintain the flora and fauna. “It doesn’t matter what age you are, we’re always on the lookout for more volunteers,”