Category: Formby Nature Reserve

Formby National Trust Update

As the major project of removing rubble at Formby Victoria Road continues, a huge digger moves vast quantities of sand covering the rubble. Once exposed, the rubble is crushed and removed from the beach to be used in levelling the area designated for a new car park. The dunes from which the rubble has been extracted are reshaped with the sand removed earlier.

This has not been the best year for natterjack toads as it has been too dry. The sand lizards are thriving down on the Sefton Coast. Owing to the work being carried out on the Formby sand dunes the resident sand lizards had to be transferred to a place of safety for a few days. A survey over five days found 27 sand lizards, all if which were safely returned to their ‘original homes’. It is believed that this is the first time these little creatures have ever been moved on such a large scale. Sefton is thought to have 50% of the UK population of sand lizards.

Many thanks to the Formby site Team for providing the above information. Article by Edwina Alcock with thanks.

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Trailer for Formby National Trust

Formby Nature Reserve were offered a 16ft trailer for sale at a discount from Attingham Park. The trailer was still a considerable amount of money so an appeal was launched. SoFA agreed to donate £1000 towards the trailer for Formby Nature Reserve.

The trailer has now been delivered to Formby and it has already been put to good use. The Rangers are delighted as it is much bigger than their existing trailer. It is very versatile and has been used for many purpose such as for moving bulk materials during forestry and woodland work over the winter. The trailer has also be used to move heavy equipment around the site and also to move portable toilets to Gawthorpe Hall. In the summer it will be used to clear litter left by visitors, tobacco waste and old building rubble off the beach.

We are really pleased that our donation has been put to such good use in helping with the purchase of this trailer. This will ultimately help the rare sand lizards, natterjack toads and tiger beetles to thrive at Formby Nature Reserve.

If you are not a member but would like to join our Association please fill in the Contact Form.
Article by Lois Hughes and photographs supplied by Edwina Alcock, with thanks.

Formby National Trust Art Project


Community and Participation Officer Paul Semple has been working with art teacher Jennie from Outline Arts over the last few weeks. School children from the Sefton area have been working on a project which has allowed young people to pass on key messages relating to nature and recycling through art.

There were two parts to Paul’s art project with the children. Formby primary school pupils from St Jerome’s, Our Lady of Compassion, Woodlands and St Luke’s schools displayed their work on Friday 21st April. This was for World Earth Day and the art was exhibited at the Formby Professional Developement Centre.

The second part of the project was on Saturday 22nd April at the Workshop, Holy Trinity Church, Formby. Pupils from some of the secondary schools in Bootle, Southport and Formby showed their artistic creativity. This display attracted 150 people from the local area. The young people were keen to bring Formby to people who are unable to visit the beach and woodland site for various reasons. One member of the group took some excellent photographs of the beach and woodland during all four seasons of the year. These pictures were then incorporated into the paintings of some of the young artists.

Congratulations to all the school children and their teachers on the high standard of their work. Thank you to Paul and Jennie for their hard work and input into the project. Many thanks also to Jan and Alison who worked extremely hard in the Workshop kitchen making tea/coffees and tasty bacon sandwiches.

Southport and Formby National Trust Association were delighted to support this project.

If you are not a member but would like to attend one of our events or would like to join the Association please complete our Contact Form.

Article and photos provided by Edwina Alcock, with thanks.


National Trust Director General Visits Formby

Hilary McGrady
Hilary McGrady
Hilary McGrady

The National Trust Director General, Hilary Mc Grady visited Formby at the end of September 2021 as part of a programme of visits in the area.

During her time at Formby, she was shown aspects of the conservation work being undertaken along the coastal area and discussed future plans.

The visit provided an opportunity for Hilary to discuss with the staff recent cases of anti- social behaviour and its impact.

SoFA members form part of the volunteer group at the site and the Association has funded equipment and tools to improve response and management on the site.

If you would like to join our Association, please complete the contact form.