Wild ideas? It’s what this Lancs park is waiting to hear!
13th May 2020
LOCKDOWN OR NOT, a Lancashire holiday park will be encouraging its customers to commit random acts of wildness this June – with the top three having bee hives named in their honour.
Moss Wood Caravan Park near Lancaster has teamed up with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust for its “30 Days Wild” project taking place across the county.
The park is inviting customers to come forward with their ideas on how to best to celebrate the natural world and to help animals and plants to flourish.
At the end of June, the entries will be assessed by Rufus Bellamy, organiser of the David Bellamy Conservation Awards of which Moss Wood is a top gold recipient.
According to Henry Wild, whose family has owned the park for over 40 years, it will be a fantastic opportunity to focus on how everyone can play a part in protecting the natural world
Moss Wood is in the heart of tranquil countryside in rural Lancashire
“We hope, of course, that Moss Wood will be open again to visitors soon – but even if it isn’t, we’ll still be assessing ideas submitted by email or via our Facebook page.
“Whether it’s building a bug hotel, creating new animal habitats, taking a stunning wildlife picture, or planting wild flowers, we just want to see people becoming involved with nature.
“Grown-ups and children can submit one idea or as many as they choose – and Rufus Bellamy will be looking for those with the greatest flair and originality.
“The top three will be each be invited to name one of our park’s honey bee hives, and it will bear their plaque for the rest of its working life,” said Henry.
Last year, Moss Wood took first place in the “responsible and sustainable” category of the Lancashire Tourism Awards, and is now through to this year’s national VisitEngland Awards.
The park was praised for the way it encourages holiday guests and members of the local community, especially children, to engage with nature and to help protect wildlife.
Recent conservation initiatives include a 1.5km nature discovery trail, and a 3000 square-foot wild flower wilderness providing vital foraging for honey bees and butterflies.
There is also a spring-fed lake at Moss Wood which acts as a magnet for birdlife, dragonflies, water fowl and a host of other different aquatic species.
In addition, the park plays host to thousands of bees in hives on its grounds, and supports bee-keeping charities with the sale of its own artisan beer produced by a local micro-brewery.
“There has never been a better time than the present crisis to enjoy a closer relationship with nature, and to benefit from the positive feelings which result,” said Henry.
“Even if we can’t provide physical breaks right now, I hope our wild challenge will at least help to provide the mental holiday which we all deserve!”
Moss Wood provides holiday homes to buy as well as pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes. There is more information about the park at www.mosswood.co.uk
Judging the wild ideas will be Rufus Bellamy who co-ordinates the David Bellamy Conservation Awards