As the Nature in Your Neighbourhood project came to the end of its second year, MCA members continued with their engagement with several of the Tier 1 locations that form part of the Keele University study. Having completed the last seasonal surveys of 2025, focus moved on to further formulating the Management Plans for the development of the sites.
For Haregate Verge (Carlton Terrace Crossroads / Swifts of Leek) this involved finalising the timetable for key tasks to be undertaken in Spring 2026. The main task was to select the best mix of plants and to source the wildflower plugs. In addition, MCA member Kate Hamey (site sponsor) had to negotiate the complexities of public liability insurance and risk assessments. Kate worked closely with fellow MCA members, SWT partners and representatives from SMDC and Your Housing to ensure everything was ready to go for early April 2026. Immediate neighbours were kept informed of progress by individual letters and site specific signs designed to ensure the local community would be informed about the work being undertaken and to encourage their participation.
The plants arrived just after Easter and a small army of stalwart volunteers, together with SWT workers, worked hard to plant the 1500 plugs within a few days. Successful negotiations with Highways and the mowing contractors meant that the “Don’t mow, let me grow” signs were observed and the verges are now resplendent with the existing dandelions, daisies and cuckoo flowers, while the new plug plants establish themselves.
Another site associated with MCA through member representation, is Cecilly Brook LNR in Cheadle. Again, the focus was on finalising the Management Plan. For this site, the local volunteer group wants to enhance the wildflower meadows as well as encourage willow tits to establish a stronghold by creating a wetland area through digging small scrapes. During early 2026, yellow rattle seed was sown in the meadow area and bramble removed and cut back.
Cecilly Brook was also identified as one of the first sites where iNaturalist QR code way-markers are to be installed and this has been arranged for mid-April when the Town Mayor will install the first way-marker. These are to encourage the local community to engage with the site and record the species that they encounter while visiting the reserve.
As well as site specific activities, MCA members continued to promote awareness of the project to encourage more community involvement. Members were present at the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent COP held at the King’s Hall in Stoke in March 2026. Members engaged with a variety of visitors ranging from the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire to members of the public, as well as representatives of over 20 environmental and educational bodies from across Staffordshire. Six Staffordshire schools were also represented and the NIYN project was explained to them as well as the wider activities that MCA is involved with.
MCA members also attended two workshops alongside SWT partners and members of the community. The workshops focussed on two of the habitats covered by the NIYN project namely the management of orchards and the coppicing of woodlands.