Firstly, please could you introduce your group? 

Happy Valley is a 17 hectare Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in Bramhall, Stockport. The land is council owned and is one of the first three sites in Stockport to receive LNR status. The Lady Brook flows through the valley, and adjacent to the river are meadows and the ancient woodland of Great Reddish Wood.

Happy Valley, Bramhall is a small group of volunteers who care for the reserve. Next year marks 30 years since the group was formed, with a couple of original volunteers still involved and one volunteer who first joined us at the age of 14, left to complete his studies and has now returned 28 years later. 

Why did the project start and what prompted it?  

Our very first project, all those years ago, was to improve both the valley’s infrastructure and biodiversity, with grants totalling over £100,000. In 2001, following the success of this project, the group received one national award and two local awards.

Due to council financial constraints there are and have been lean times, but our group have successfully secured other grants. Last year, we used this support to install a new nature trail, complete with QR code plaques sharing fascinating facts about the valley. The QR codes provide a variety of information for the reader, with nature facts, the valley’s past and the odd joke. Our aim was to share our knowledge of the valley to the community before it was lost and from the feedback received, many people have been fascinated with the all the facts. 

How have you improved the space for wildlife?  

This year we had a tremendous turnout from our local community for our balsam bashing efforts. To help people understand the negative impact Himalayan Balsam has on our native species, we launched a campaign highlighting the importance of protecting the wildflowers at Happy Valley from invasive species. Starting as early as March, we posted regularly on Facebook and put up posters which encouraged the community to lend a hand in protecting the valley’s wildflowers by removing the balsam. We kept the momentum going right through until August!

Many of the valley’s visitors joined in independently, pulling up small patches while out on their walks. Our group organised 13 balsam bashes between May and August, including 7 with young people’s organisations, two with GoodGym, three community events, and one joint event with Bramhall Nature Network during the Great Big Green Week. Across these events, 238 people — including 112 under-16's — gave their time, contributing almost 500 volunteer hours. 

We are incredibly proud of our wonderful community for coming together and giving their support, which has made a real difference in reducing the amount of balsam able to spread its seeds, helping to curb next year’s growth.

Balsam Action Toolkit

What else have you been working on to help wildlife?

Reinstating a meadow is an ongoing project. Two decades ago, Stockport Council stopped the routine cutting of a meadow in the valley. We believe there has been a noticeable—although unrecorded—decline in wildflowers and insects in this area, and over the past two years we have been working to reinstate it.

In the first year, we strimmed the meadow, raked off the grass cuttings, and sowed yellow rattle seed ourselves. In the second year, we again strimmed the meadow and, with the assistance of South Manchester Conservation Volunteers, raked up the grass cuttings and sowed more yellow rattle seed.

This year, Total Local Company carried out the grass cutting, and we hope to establish routine annual cuts by them in future. We are currently in the process of removing the grass cuttings using equipment kindly donated to us by United Utilities.

This year’s successful grant application, together with donations, has allowed us to order wildflower and grass plug plants from a reputable local nursery, which will be planted in the meadow soon. We hope our community and local schools will once again come along to help us with the planting and that next year there will be a significant increase in these plants, so the insects and the community can all benefit from our combined hard work.

What has been your favourite wildlife sighting since your work began?

We’ve seen three kingfishers flying in perfect formation, kestrels hovering gracefully over the meadow, and herons standing utterly still, waiting for their next meal. We’ve watched fox cubs at play, and even a curious adult fox quietly observing our volunteers during a task day. Robins hop busily around us as we dig, a pair of sparrowhawks care for their young, bees emerge from their burrows, and deer graze peacefully in the early morning light. 

This year, however, there has been particular excitement about a pair of hunting barn owls and several sightings of an otter. 

Each encounter is a small reminder of the wild world thriving all around us. 

What advice would you give to others wanting to help wildlife in their community?

• Be open to other people's ideas and learn from mistakes.
• Remember that there will be lows, but the highs will follow.
• Tell your local community when, what and why you want to do something good for wildlife
• Always ask permission from the landowner before starting any work.
• Stay determined but flexible in your approach.
• Share the workload and delegate where possible.
• Connect with other local groups, they could help you or you could help them.
• Keep records of volunteer numbers and hours worked, it is valuable information.
• Always thank your volunteers and any professional helpers for their time, knowledge and support.
• And most importantly — make time for coffee, biscuits, and a friendly chat!

To follow their progress or get involved, follow the Happy Valley, Bramhall group on Facebook.