The Green Stroll
September 20th, 2022
The Green Stroll along Carrs Green, Inskip
If you have ever put on your wellies and walked along the “Tank Trap” on Carrs Green, Inskip you would be forgiven for wondering why nobody has done anything to improve this area. It was boggy, muddy and not much sign of wildlife. But it did have a lot of good things going for it, diverse flora and fauna, the wonderful fresh air and the glorious views out to the trough of Bowland.
This unique natural habitat comprises 60 acres in the heart of the Fylde peninsula deep in natural Lancashire, has never been farmed although some commoners (not a rude title) were given leave to graze their animals on the common. When grazing ceased in the early 90s, the common became very overgrown. Who can remember the cows on Preston Road alongside the common, curiously giving your car door mirror a cheeky lick?
Inskip with Sowerby Parish Council on behalf of the residents of the parish have been making plans to improve this area to make it accessible to all. And now the work is complete. The Green Stroll has been created.
Wildlife ponds have been scraped out, pathways and boardwalks built and stoned up so that the Green can be accessed on even the wettest of days, the watercourse or “Tank Trap” has been scraped and cleared out and the water is free flowing and attractive to wildlife, pathways mowed, bird boxes and feeders erected, waste bins provided. Information boards have been erected in four locations throughout the village so visitors can spot the public footpaths and route of the Green Stroll, which takes you all around the village, through the Churchyard on a circular walk of Inskip and the delights of Carrs Green Common. If you are driving, take extra care alongside the Common in case a deer jumps out.
Our friends at the Fylde Bird Club have visited the common many, many times over the past years and have recently been able to report that the number of species of dragonflies now reported is an incredible 29. Barn owls are regular hunters over the common. Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting, Snipe, Woodcock, Dunnock, and many more are all present, albeit very shy. Fox, Roe Deer, Brown Hare, Stoat, Weasel, Frog and Toad, how many can you see?. Come and take a look for yourself and let us know what you can spot living on the Common.
Inskip Parish Council would like to take this opportunity to thank many people involved in the regeneration of Carrs Green. The list is incredibly long and cannot name everyone but special thanks must go to the ex-Parish Clerk, now retired, Mr Michael Ainsworth whose work managing this project was exceptional, the Parish Councillors who give their time, ideas and interest voluntarily, Lancashire Environmental Fund at Lancashire County Council, without who the funds would not be available, Fylde Bird Club and Myerscough College for their expert advice, Jimmy Hall who opened up the footpaths after many years of non-use and his tireless work keeping them open, Howard Clark for his expertise in building the walkways, Will Scott for his professional groundwork, and the parishioners of Inskip with Sowerby for supporting this project with such enthusiasm.
Sue Gilbert, Clerk to the Parish Council, Inskip with Sowerby
Email: pc@inskip-with-sowerby.co.uk: www. inskip-with-sowerby.org.uk