Ancient duck trap opens to public

Oct 10 2008 Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

A RARE chance to visit Hale’s historic duck decoy is being offered to Halton residents.

A guided walk at 10am on Friday, November 15, will give wildlife and history enthusiasts a chance to see the progress of the site’s restoration.

The work has been under way since the council took out a 25 year lease on the site in 2001 and received £45,000 from the heritage lottery fund.

The work has involved clearing vegetation from the decoy’s “pipes”, improving public access, the installation of signs and renovation of the keeper’s cottage.

Much of the work has been carried out by the Friends of Pickerings Pasture and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

The 17th century pentagonal decoy consists of a central pool, a series of hoops and a net to which ducks would be lured by a dog.

To book a place on the walk phone 0151 425 4706.