NEWS

2026 Accrington EcoFest Update

Posted on 2nd April 2026Posted in News

A big thank you to everyone who has supported and attended Accrington EcoFest over the last few years. Your enthusiasm, energy and commitment to a greener community is what makes EcoFest so special!

However, this year we are doing things a bit differently! In 2026, we’ll be out and about across Hyndburn, popping up at a range of events and activities as part of our "𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄". Look out for us at shows, fetes, carnivals and other events, showcasing our work and letting you know how you can get involved in making our environment cleaner, greener and more accessible for everyone.

We’re really excited to be bringing the themes of EcoFest to other locations around the borough and engaging with more communities. Please keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates on where you can find us this year

𝙐𝙥𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙡 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙧𝙮:

- Great Harwood Agricultural Show – Bank Holiday Monday 25th May

- Accrington Food Festival – Saturday 6th June

- Weavers Uprising Bicentennial at Whinney Hill Woodland – Saturday 20th June

- Stanhill Fete – Saturday 27th June

- Let’s Move Hyndburn (Mercer Park) – Friday 31st July

- Let’s Move Hyndburn (Milnshaw Park) – Friday 14th August

Thank you again for being part of the EcoFest community, we can’t wait to see you out and about soon

Anti Litter Heroes From St Nicholas CE Primary School

Posted on 16th March 202616th March 2026Posted in Brookside, News, Oswaldtwistle Local Panel

The year, project officer Alice was invited back to St Nicholas CE Primary School in Church for their annual science week. Through the Brookside Restoration Initiative, Alice has attended Science Week for the last two years, explaining more about her work at Prospects and delivering practical lessons for all year groups.

This year, year 5 focused on creating anti littering posters for use at Brookside and other prospects sites. Keep your eyes peeled while out and about in Hyndburn, as will be having a number of these brilliant posters printed as real life signs.

Other year groups enjoyed building wildflower gardens on the school grounds, constructing bird feeders, and having their say about what they would like to see at Brookside. In addition, Brookside volunteers have donated much of the hazel that has been coppiced from site, for use in the St Nicholas forest school.

Wednesday 11th March 2026 – Whinney Hill

Posted on 11th March 202616th March 2026Posted in Hyndburn's Woodlands - Phase 2, Whinney Hill

On Wednesday 11th March 2026 the Hyndburn’s Woodland’s Project carried out some habitat improvement works at Whinney Hill woodland.

Volunteers had previously helped to make 18 bat boxes through the project, a number of bird boxes were also previously made with school groups.

With the help of Henderson Landscaping Services, 18 bat boxes and 12 bird boxes were hung around the woodland. This will improve the overall biodiversity value of the site. We also hope to encourage more bats to occupy the woodland, which in turn will provide more scope for carrying out public bat walks in the future

As always, thank you to our funders at Lancashire County Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, and the Windfall Fund for making it all possible

Tuesday 10th March 2026 – Abbott Clough

Posted on 10th March 202610th March 2026Posted in Hyndburn's Woodlands - Phase 2

On Tuesday 10th March 2026 the Hyndburn’s Woodlands Volunteers were at Abbott Clough woodland carrying out a litter picking and fly-tipping removal session.

We have previously done a huge amount of work getting the roadside hedgerow cleaned up, which had accumulated a lot of rubbish from pedestrians and vehicles.

This time we focused on a small entrance to the woods which had really been hit hard by litter and fly-tipping. In total, we removed 15 large bags of rubbish, a broken laundry basket (repurposed as a glass bucket), and a large collection of miscellaneous fly-tipping (such as a bag of wood, old toaster, and a bag of pillows).

The area now looks a lot cleaner and we are very happy with the result, there is still a small amount of work left to do now (mainly odd bags of rubbish thrown into the woods and stray bits of litter).

Thank you to our incredible volunteers who help us keep Hyndburn’s Woodlands tidy!

As always, thank you to our funders at Lancashire County Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, and the Windfall Fund for making it all possible!

Hyndburn’s Nature Reserves March 2026 Newsletter

Posted on 26th February 202626th February 2026Posted in Hyndburn's Nature Reserves, Uncategorized

Brookside Hosts Half Term Crafts Bonanza

Posted on 24th February 202624th February 2026Posted in Brookside, News, Oswaldtwistle Local Panel

Tuesday 17th February 2026 – Whinney Hill

Posted on 17th February 202625th February 2026Posted in Biodiversity, Hyndburn's Woodlands - Phase 2, Whinney Hill

On Tuesday 17th February 2026 the Hyndburn’s Woodlands project was back at Whinney Hill woodland continuing with the Invasive Non-Native Species removal started last year.

This took the form of clearing a large encroachment of Henry’s Honeysuckle, this voracious species, at one point, was fully blocking the path, as well as strangling a young Oak tree. The species is a climber, and so was finding its way onto and up anything nearby.

We have spent a lot of time snipping all of the climbing material’s connections to the ground. This has worked wonders for the material up the Oak, all of which has now died off, freeing up the Oak for Spring growth.

The material on the ground has proven much more difficult, despite piling it up into large stacks, we have found that it is still managing to produce new growth with little to no light.

We filled 3 large builders-sacks with cut material (and 2 smaller sacks), this still only amounted to half of the material that was onsite. After one more session all of the material should be fully removed.

We then carried out a small supplementary tree planting activity to replace the Guelder Rose we unfortunately had to cut down previously (as this was covered in Henry’s Honeysuckle and had its roots intertwined.

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who helped us keep Hyndburn’s woodlands native! As always, thank you to our funders at Lancashire County Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, and the Windfall Fund for making it all possible

New Faces at the SVCA x Brookside Restoration Heritage Walk

Posted on 10th February 202610th February 2026Posted in Brookside, News, Oswaldtwistle Local Panel

On Saturday the 7th of February, Andy Barnes from the Stanhill Village Community Association joined Brookside Restoration Officer Alice in hosting a guided walk around the Stanhill Heritage Trail. The event proved popular despite the drizzle, with many new faces among the 10 attendees. The trail starts at the Hargreaves Memorial Garden, and loops around through Moss Lane and Brookside before heading back up the footpath by Kemp Delph.

For more information on the trail, visit the SVCA website: https://www.stanhillvillage.co.uk/heritagetrail/

Thank you Andy and the SVCA for your expertise about the incredible history of our local area!

Tuesday 10th February 2026 – Whinney Hill

Posted on 10th February 202625th February 2026Posted in Biodiversity, Hyndburn's Woodlands - Phase 2

On Tuesday 10th February 2026 the Hyndburn’s Woodlands Project was at Whinney Hill tackling some windblown trees.

A clump of Willow had sadly come down and taken part of a fence with us, so the Hyndburn’s Woodlands volunteers took to brashing it up. Volunteers used hand tools to clear the tree back to it’s stump.

The Willow didn’t go to waste though, we repurposed it into a new dead-hedge to mark off the boundary. This will provide habitat for wildlife and many fungi species, over time.

Then, we utilised a pole pruner to clear some overhanging branches from the boundary.

We then finished up by re-erected the fence, utilising Willow lengths as stakes.

As always, thank you to our funders at Lancashire County Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, and the Windfall Fund for making it all possible

Tuesday 3rd February 2026 – Jubilee Woodland

Posted on 3rd February 202625th February 2026Posted in Biodiversity, Hyndburn's Woodlands - Phase 2

On Tuesday 3rd February 2026 the Hyndburn’s Woodlands Project was at Jubilee woodland for an extremely windy tree planting session!

We planted 225 Hawthorn saplings in a brand new hedgerow. This will provide habitat for wildlife and, in particular, food for overwintering birds

Thank you to our incredible volunteers who braved the very wild weather to help us improve Hyndburn’s biodiversity

As always, thank you to our funders at Lancashire County Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, and the Windfall Fund for making it all possible

Hyndburn’s Nature Reserves February 2026 Newsletter

Posted on 29th January 202626th February 2026Posted in Hyndburn's Nature Reserves, Uncategorized

Tuesday 20th January 2026 – Huncoat East

Posted on 20th January 202625th February 2026Posted in Hyndburn's Woodlands - Phase 2, Whinney Hill

On Tuesday 20th January 2026 the Hyndburn’s Woodlands Volunteers were at Huncoat East woodland for a dead-hedging session! Dead-hedging work has been taking place at this site for several years. Previous projects had installed an ‘outdoor learning area’ using dead-hedges as a border, which requires annual repairs and ‘top ups’. A site boundary fence is also being worked on, gradually making its way across the site.

Volunteers used previously coppiced hazel (hazel that was left over from other activities) to create stakes, they did so by using a hatchet to chop a point into the stake, these were then driven into the ground to create the foundations of the fence. Heavy material inlaid first, followed by thinner lengths of wood, and finally top layer foliage was woven in.

We did end up requiring some more material so volunteers wore their hard helmets and took part in some good old fashioned hazel coppicing. There is quite an abundance of hazel on this site that is out of rotation.

We think the new extension to the fence looks incredible, and we’re very keen to keep extending it. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who help create habitat and beautiful structures in Hyndburn’s Woodlands.

As always, thank you to our funders at Lancashire County Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, and the Windfall Fund for making it all possible

Tuesday 13th January 2026 – Woodnook Vale LNR

Posted on 13th January 202625th February 2026Posted in Hyndburn's Woodlands - Phase 2

On Tuesday 13th January 2026 the Hyndburn’s Woodland’s project were at Woodnook Vale LNR for another round of live Willow weaving. We started this last Winter, the structure had existed there for around 5 years prior but had fallen into disrepair. After quite a few hours of effort (and with the help of an expert) we managed to get the structure looking a lot better.

This year it proved a lot easier, only having to bind one years growth made the task a lot easier. Still, with the structure now gaining a bit of height and volume, binding some of the shoots into shape was quite a challenge. We did, however, manage to get all of the tallest shoots bound into the frame, adding some volume outwards. This will (hopefully) begin to grow more outwards now, eventually providing a sort of roof over the benches below.

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who braved a very wet day to help us keep Hyndburn’s Woodland’s beautiful!

As always, thank you to our funders at Lancashire County Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, and the Windfall Fund for making it all possible

Tuesday 6th January 2026 – Whinney Hill

Posted on 6th January 202625th February 2026Posted in Hyndburn's Woodlands - Phase 2, Whinney Hill

On Tuesday 6th January 2026 the Hyndburn’s Woodland’s project (wanted) to kick the New Year off with a litter pick, the recent snowfall did make this a little challenging, but to our surprise the woodland had accumulated very little rubbish over the Christmas break!

We did, however, have a few trees that had come down, so we took to tackling those instead! The trees were quite manageable (being on the ground always helps!), so we managed to get them cleared with little difficulty. Volunteers wore their safety helmets and utilised hand tools like bow saws, pruning saws, and loppers to remove the bulk of the brash, with the main trunk following. It was a very cold day, but the activity certainly kept us warm through the cold!

Thank you to our amazing volunteers for helping us keep Hyndburn’s Woodlands safe and tidy!

As always, thank you to our funders at Lancashire County Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, and the Windfall Fund for making it all possible

Prospects Launch Sunday Volunteer Session at Brookside

Posted on 5th January 20265th January 2026Posted in Brookside, News, Oswaldtwistle Local Panel

Hyndburn’s Nature Reserves January 2026 Newsletter

Posted on 1st January 202629th January 2026Posted in Hyndburn's Nature Reserves, News, Pleck Meadow

Happy Holidays 2025 from PROSPECTS & Annual Volunteer Celebration

Posted on 19th December 2025Posted in Brookside, Community TreeACTION, Hyndburn's Nature Reserves, Hyndburn's Woodlands - Phase 2, News, Our Trustees

Thank you to all our trustees, volunteers and participants for your support over the past year.

On Wednesday 17th December we celebrated an amazing year of environmental action with our annual Volunteer Celebration. Filled with food, drinks, music, and a brain-scratching, PROSPECTS-themed quiz!

A huge thank you again to all our volunteers who help make our work possible! We can't wait for what's in store in 2026.

PROSPECTS will now be closed until 5th January 2026.

We look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

With best wishes from the PROSPECTS team -
Alison, Alice, Brandon, Gemma, Helen, and Robert.

Wrapping Up Christmas Crafts at the Prospects Foundation

Posted on 17th December 2025Posted in Brookside, News

Prospects Community Tree Nursery 2025 Roundup

Posted on 17th December 202517th December 2025Posted in Community TreeACTION, News

Here's a roundup of 2025 at the Prospects Community Tree Nursery, shown in photographs!

This year we built three new tree-growing boxes, cleared loads of balsam, planted over 550 acorns, and stratified thousands of tree seeds. We also said goodbye to a rickety greenhouse and shed, welcomed a brilliant group of corporate volunteers, and raised an incredible £6,712 through our Crowdfunder campaign!

We’re hoping 2026 will bring major site access improvements and create even more opportunities for people to learn about growing trees. Watch this space…

Jan 2025 - Transplanting Oaks from the Coppice

March 2025 - making room for tree growing boxes

April 2025 - planting spare trees to grow on over summer

May 2025 - planting tree seeds that started to sprout

July 2025 - Our Crowdfunder celebration day with wood-fired sourdough pizza

Aug 2025 - greenhouse demolition

Sep 2025 - Fedcap Community Day clearing beds and making paths safer

Oct 2025 - Acorn planting in new rodent-proof boxes

Nov 2025 - Acorn planting in root trainer trays

Dec 2025 - weeding tree beds ready for mulching

Bullough Community Woodland planted in one week

Posted on 17th December 202517th December 2025Posted in Community TreeACTION, News

More than 50 local residents rolled up their sleeves on Sunday, December 7, as the Prospects Foundation hosted a large-scale community tree planting event at Bullough Park in Accrington, marking a major milestone in the park’s ongoing transformation.

The Forest Fun Day, organised by the Prospects Foundation and supported by Hyndburn Borough Council, invited volunteers of all ages to help plant the final trees of a 3,600-strong woodland creation scheme funded by the Forestry Commission.

Thanks to the enthusiastic turnout, all 600 trees allocated on the day were successfully planted, meaning the full woodland, over 3,600 trees in total, has now been completed within just one week.

Alongside tree planting, families enjoyed a programme of woodland crafts, finger painting, and the burial of a ‘Future Forest’ Time Capsule. The capsule, filled with wishes and predictions for the next 25 years, was lowered into the ground by the Mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr Josh Allen, who also read a poem written by students from Mount Carmel High School’s Eco Club titled “A Walk in Bullough Woodland in 2050.”

Acorn planting and tabletop crafts were available for those with limited mobility. Volunteers were kept warm with free hot chocolate, while festive tunes added to the cheerful atmosphere throughout the day.

The Mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr Josh Allen, said: “What the Prospects team are doing is truly inspiring and their dedication and work is not only helping our borough right now but is helping to protect and preserve the borough’s wildlife and environment for future generations. As a borough, we owe a lot to the Prospects Foundation.”

The woodland creation is one of many improvements within the Bullough Park project’s second phase. New paths and steps have already been constructed to improve site access. A large wildlife pond has also been created to increase wildlife success.

In 2026, a wildflower mini-meadow will be created, and new benches and interpretation panels will be installed, establishing a more accessible and vibrant green space for the community.

Helen Earnshaw, TreeACTION Project Officer at the Prospects Foundation, added:

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who turned out to help plant the final trees. The community spirit has been fantastic, and Bullough Community Woodland will be something local people can be proud of for decades to come.”

The organisers thank all volunteers, project partners and local businesses who contributed to the day’s success.

Read the Lancashire Telegraph article HERE

For further information about the project or upcoming events, please contact: helen.earnshaw@prospectsfoundation.org.uk

Project Partners: Prospects Foundation, Hyndburn Borough Council, and Proffitts CIC - Investing in Communities