A SLAITHWAITE community group has staged a clean-up operation on the village's Spa Fields area.
The Friends of Slaithwaite Spa arranged a working party on December 4 to remove rhododendrons from the overgrown area.
The group was formed this year to rejuvenate the recreation ground off Spa Lane.
They aim to make it the heart of the community that it was in Victorian days, when it had a bandstand, tennis courts, swimming pool, spa and gardens.
The volunteers removed the rhododendrons because they were endangering a section of rare lowland heather plants.
The area was re-sown with ripe seed from the naturally growing heather.
Other volunteers removed litter from the footpath and playing fields around Newgate.
For younger environmentalists, an activity session was held.
Youngsters were helped to create havens for insect life inn trees and bushes in the area.
A group of 24 young people from Slaithwaite Saracens amateur rugby league club made the bug homes from lengths of plastic coated wire and rolled up rhododendron leaves.
The group has organised further conservation activities for the new year:
* January 8: There will be a litter pick and tree management day at the Spa Fields site.
* February 5: There will be tree planting.
* March 5: there will be a bird and bat box making day.
* April 2: there will be a dry stone walling training day.
* May 7: there will be a children's minibeast hunt.
* June 4: there will be meadow management sessions and wildflower planting.
* July 2: there are habitat management sessions and work to remove Himalayan balsam from the area.
Anyone who would like to become involved in the Slaithwaite Spa project should get in touch with Mick Smith at the Colne Valley Trust on 01484-847798 or email: mick@cvt.org.uk
