BBC international wildlife presenter and researcher Jack Baddham visited and presented the BBC Morning Live Show at Rowlands Dell on the 7.10.25. The surreal experience of appearing on live TV with the broadcast occurring between 9 and 10 AM. Jack started introducing the Rowlands Dell project at the archway and undertook three interviews with FOMD volunteers as he walked down the pathway focusing on the project achievements, future plans and benefits before addressing the nation with winter wildlife tips sourced from the Dell. The program returned for another live performance involving our volunteers engaging in early morning dance exercises, simultaneously with other areas of the country (not easy without music and the producer’s third-party dancing prompts!)
The filming followed our surprise win of the 2025 UK BBC The One Show/RHS Growing Together Community Garden Award, for Maghull’s Rowlands Dell NHS health and wellness green transformation project, broadcast on the One Show (on 30.8.25 & 1.10.25).
The 10 minute broadcast involved a week of preparation, with the producer Janice Rowan (BBC producer from London), Tom (signal engineer), and two other colleagues (cameraman and sound engineer). The suitability of the site was assessed a week before for the live transmission, rehearsal with the Manchester and London based teams staying overnight in the local Miller & Carter Hotel (Aughton) for the early start. The whole team were incredibly friendly and kindly stayed little longer to provide some environmental top tips.
Watch On BBC iPlayer:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002k768
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002k73q
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002khvm
Although it is very humbling to receive this publicity we really see it as a fantastic accolade to the countless people in our community who have demonstrated so many acts of kindness to bring us to this point. Despite, the fact that we are currently crowdfunding to undertake the best part – to put nature back into the Dell, with final pathways and mass woodland planting.
Pictured: FOMD volunteers – Ian, Dave, Joan, Linda, Joanne, BBC Sound Man, John, BBC Cameraman, Tom, Jack Baddham (BBC Presenter), Diane, Frank, Nikki, Neil McMahon (TCV Ranger Partner), Scott and Phil (senior NHS property services managers) and Janice Rowan (BBC Producer) and Tom (Signal Engineer not pictured).
If You Would like to Help?
- Volunteer sessions this week (everyone is welcome without any commitment) can be found on our Events calendar page at https://www.fomd.co.uk/events/ where you will find all the details.
- Crowdfunding Campaign. So far, with your help, we have raised enough money for one path extension (£7,600) but we are hoping to raise another £7000 for another crucial connecting path and much-needed large-scale woodland shrubs. Please donate online at www.fomd.co.uk or with cash at the Hare & Hounds PH, Morrisons, Esso Petrol Station.
- Rowlands Dell Introduction (3min Video): https://youtu.be/lxrTdudVza8?si=AM_znsaI35Cose-M
Background to Rowlands Dell.
This beautiful haven for wildlife has unbelievably been treated as an open tip for decades, where every inch has revealed a variety of pollutants harmful to wildlife. In our three-stage plan, stage I has resulted in Maghull’s biggest ever 46-week cleanup in which FOMD have removed 300 bin bags of litter and 25 tons of debris.
In Stage II (completed in November), with the help of our NHS landowner partners we successfully obtained a health and wellness grant (Maghull’s largest green investment) to fund an amazing legacy array of hard landscaping installations. These features provided accessibility for the whole community and included: accessible path, viewing/picnic area, sunken garden, bins, 10,000 bulbs and planting at small junction points, bug and bird boxes, and a dry waterfall feature). A Morrisons grant has enabled us to create the ongoing bog garden and wishing well.
We are now engaging in stage three to repopulate Rowlands Dell with woodland planting and need your help.
Best Wishes,
Friends of Maghull & District (FOMD)
Together making Maghull a better place to live.
More information at www.fomd.co.uk including: (1) Events tab for everything about the meeting and (2) Projects tab for the project background.
Contact: admin@fomd.co.uk