Broadcaster and writer Stuart Maconie has officially unveiled the borough’s fourth local nature reserve.
The Wigan-born Radio 2 star sowed wild flower seeds as Low Hall Park, Hindley officially became Low Hall Local Nature Reserve.
This designation recognises its pivotal role in helping to ensure the future of one of Britain’s most beautiful but under pressure species – the banded demoiselle – an iridescent blue and smaller cousin of the dragonfly.
And as if to further Low Hall’s wildlife aspirations, a rare Grizzled Skipper butterfly has also been spotted at the site – a first for Greater Manchester.
Instrumental to the scheme’s success has been the involvement of local people in the project – who have come together to form the Friends of Low Hall working alongside Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT), Lancashire Wildlife Trust and local councillors to improve the area.
But it’s also part of a grander vision to create a Greenheart of nature reserves running through the centre of the borough from Pennington in Leigh to Haigh Hall Country Park, transforming the industrial landscape of the past into a wildlife haven of tomorrow.
Mr Maconie has thrown his support behind the scheme, saying: “Wigan is proud of its industrial roots and proud of its recreational pursuits.
“So it seems only natural one should develop out of the other.”
Chairman of the Friends of Low Hall, Geoff Barrett, added: “This really is a wonderful wildlife haven. We’re all extremely proud of what’s been achieved so far.”
