Hale Duck Decoy
Hale Duck Decoy is a
History
The precise date of the construction of the duck decoy is not known, but there is evidence that it was built in the 17th century. Records show that in 1754 it was repaired and improved by its owner at that time, Colonel J. Blackburne.[1] The decoy was part of the estate of Hale Hall, which had been owned by the Ireland Blackburne family since the 1600s. In the 1930s the estate was bought by the Fleetwood-Hesketh family, who still own it, but the decoy was allowed to deteriorate. In 1975 restoration of the site began, and it became a local nature reserve. The lease was taken over by Cheshire County Council, who sub-leased it to the Cheshire and Lancashire Conservation Trusts. The site was cleaned up, a swing bridge was built, and trees were planted. The gamekeeper's hut was rebuilt by volunteers in 1981–82.[2]
In February 1990 the decoy was damaged when it was flooded with salt water caused by the combination of a high tide and a north-westerly gale. Trees and other wildlife were killed.
Description
The reserve covers an area of 3,084 hectares. The decoy consists of a central pond with five narrowing arms (known as pipes) radiating outward, giving it the shape of a pentagon. Between the pipes is woodland, and the whole area is surrounded by a moat 16 feet wide, which is crossed by a swing bridge.[6] Within the site is the restored gamekeeper's hut. This contains display materials and information brochures. Also in the site, near to the area of the boat house is an inscribed stone. The inscription reads "XRC: 63", and it has been suggested that it is a date stone, giving a date of 1633.[1]
Today
The duck decoy is managed by a group of volunteers called The Friends of Pickerings Pasture and Hale Duck Decoy. The site is a designated Scheduled Ancient Monument.
See also
- List of Scheduled Monuments in Cheshire (post-1539)
References
- ^ a b c "History of Hale Duck Decoy". Friends of Pickerings Pasture. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ "The Restoration of Hale Duck Decoy". Friends of Pickerings Pasture. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ "The Flood". Friends of Pickerings Pasture. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ "Dredging the pond and moat". Friends of Pickerings Pasture. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ "Tidal surge and flooding on Hale Marsh and Hale Duck Decoy". Friends of Pickerings Pasture. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ a b "About Hale Duck Decoy". Friends of Pickerings Pasture. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ Historic England. "Duck decoy pond 200m south east of Marsh Bridge, Hale, Halton (1014717)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ Natural England (1985). "Mersey Estuary (SSSI citation)" (PDF). Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "Hale Duck Decoy NR Guided Walks". Friends of Pickerings Pasture. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ "'Neglected' duck decoy pond placed on Heritage at Risk list". BBC News. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2022.