Nobb End SSSI and Moses Gate Country Park near Bolton

Saturday 1st July 2023

Leader: Stephen Cartwright (Lancashire WT)

Number of attendees: 8

Sites visited:

Moses Gate Country Park: a large area including former industrial sites, parkland with lake and meadows, riverside and canal walking.

Nob End – a SSSI: This former chemical works site dates back to the eighteenth century, initially producing sulphuric acid, later producing sodium carbonate (or washing soda). This was produced by the Leblanc process. For every ton of washing soda there were two tons of alkaline waste approx. 10 meters deep at Nob End. By the end of the nineteenth century the works were demolished, the waste remained and slowly weathered. By the 1950s many plants were found, normally only found on calcareous soil. As a result the site is now a SSSI.

We had an unusual journey to Bolton with torrential rain and fog over Saddleworth Moor, however on arrival at Moses Gate Country Park it was dry but overcast.  Stephen Cartwright of Lancashire Wildlife Trust met 7 eager participants and gave us an overview of the sites and their history. As we set off we could see a large area of Giant Hogweed dominating the top of a weir. We had our first indication of the former industrial site with two large mounds. These were the remains of the brickworks bulldozed and then heaped up. Thankfully these were now covered in a blaze of colour with Meadow Cranesbill. Our first orchid, Common Spotted, was then found. We walked up a steep muddy slope and then down to the Bolton remnants of the former Bury, Bolton and Manchester Canal (the same builder as the Manchester Ship Canal). Here we found some aquatics and many waterside plants including Common and Greater Duckweed with its dark purple under-leaf, Clustered Dock, Marsh Woundwort and Skullcap.

Red Oak in the adjoining woodland was a nice bonus to see, as was Sneezewort. Just before we turned away from the canal we found a marshy area with Water Forget-me-not, Watercress, Gipsywort, Hemp Agrimony and, of course, Bulrushes.

We then made our way to Nob End where a feast of orchids met our eyes. In greatest abundance were Marsh Helleborine, followed by Chalk Fragrant Orchid, plus a few Common Spotted.

Here the Marsh Helleborine were of a small size, possibly because the small amount of top soil above chemical waste doesn't hold water very well. These were about one-third the size of ones I have seen in marshy areas.

Stephen then took us to a woodland glade where there were several Green-flowered Helleborines but not yet in flower. Near a BMX track where some chemical waste was exposed, we found Common Centuary, Fairy Flax and Blue Fleabane.

Stephen had also asked if we could find Common Twayblade – a plant he had never seen. Despite diligent searching, we couldn't find any. He then said his goodbyes, with our profuse and grateful thanks. In the afternoon we did find three Common Twayblades and Ian has sent him the grid references.

After a late lunch (deferred due to a rain squall) we returned to the main orchid site and explored a slightly wetter area with more Common Spotted Orchids, many more Marsh Helleborines and unexpectedly, the Twayblades.

Moving to a drier area we found several grasses, Purple and Blue Moor grasses, Quaking, Sweet Vernal and then 3 large tussocks of Tall Fescue, plus Carline Thistle. Autumn Gentian had just started to grow with a few leaves.

We then turned back along the riverbank finding Wood Dock, Japanese Knotweed including a very large stand on the far riverbank. Shortly after were four plants of Broad-leaved Helleborine (not quite in flower). Nearby, was an extremely attractive patch of Enchanter's Nightshade.

Arriving back into the meadows we found a large patch of Zig-zag Clover and whilst we were admiring this, Louise found Agrimony and Musk Mallow. Crossing the river bridge, Hemlock Water-dropwort was on the bank below, with Timothy in the meadows and our final plant was Common Winter-cress. From the list of target species we only missed Blue-eyed Grass which had flowered profusely three weeks before our visit. An excellent day out to a most unusual and thought-provoking site.

Text by Anthony G

Photographs by Ian D