Friends of Chadkirk started meeting in the mid 1970s.
For nearly four decades members of the group have played a key role in the renovation and conservation work. These volunteers continue to make an invaluable contribution.
Chadkirk Farm and Estate is a Country Park.
It includes Chadkirk Chapel, St Chad’s Well and the Walled Garden.
There’s woodland, stream, meadow and ponds.
Apart from google maps, you can also find it on OS maps at SJ 9489
SJ9489 :: Browse 16 Images :: Geograph Britain and Ireland – photograph every grid square!.
People of Bredbury, Marple, Offerton and Romiley are among the many visitors.
A survey suggests that there are something like 100, 000* visitors a year.
Friends of Chadkirk are actively involved and work with The Estate Manager and other representatives of Stockport MBC.
Friends of Chadkirk 
hi my name is Trevor Henshall and currently run a facebook group called stockport nature watch. i am in the process of creating a website for it as well. the reason i am contacting you is to ask if i could put a link to your website on my chadkirk page. the link is below for your viewing thanks.
http://www.stockportnaturewatch.co.uk/chadkirk-country-estate
Good idea, Trevor!
Hi. Had a nice walk with the dogs around Chadkirk today.(14/7/20) As we went past the far end of Coronation meadow (The Chapel end) I noticed quite a lot of Red Admiral butterfly caterpillars, on the nettles near the path. I know the meadow is cut up to the fence as part of the estate management around this time of year.
Would it be possible to leave the nettles (thistles and brambles too) uncut, to help with the life cycle of the caterpillars?
Regards
Neil
Thanks for your comment, Neil. That sounds like an excellent idea. The intention is to manage Coronation Meadow to optimise wildlife, particularly butterflies. Although I don’t know when the meadow will be cut this year or the plans for leaving areas uncut, I’ll make some enquiries and get back to you. There were lots of other varieties of butterfly when I walked that path at the weekend. Did you see those as well? And do you know what the host plants are for their eggs and caterpillars?
Hi, I was just looking at the caterpillars again this evening, and now I think they are Peacock butterfly caterpillars! Both Red Admiral and Peacock butterflies lay their eggs on common nettles. (The internet is so useful for checking stuff like this now) The patch of nettles they are on is alongside the new path that runs from the now dismantled bridge, towards the chapel. Funnily though, I haven’t seen many butterflies on my walks this year!
Yes. That’s interesting. I was curious about that. Think I read somewhere that the drought in April and May had an adverse effects on numbers. Have you seen that?
In July, I’ve seen some of the small brown varieties out over the meadow. Maybe Meadow Browns or Gate Keepers?
Sorry for late reply, I’m in the middle of a house move, and a bit behind on emails etc. I think the type I’ve seen most are the Speckled Wood. (even seen one in my garden!) I hadn’t heard about the drought affecting numbers, but it was a very long dry period wasn’t it. I made sure the two bowls of water I have in the garden for birds to drink from was topped up during that period.
Dear Friends of Chadkirk,
I have recently moved to the area and am keen to volunteer as a Friend of Chadkirk. I realise you met recently to work on the gardens of the chapel. I’m so sorry to have missed this. Perhaps you can let me know how I can become actively involved on a regular basis.
Kind regards
Tracy
Good to hear from you Tracy. You may be pleased to know that the gardening team will be down at Chadkirk again soon. First Saturday of the month and third Thursday are regular slots. And we’ve re-sumed that with appropriate precautions in place. You have perhaps seen the blog post about that?
Your comment is a welcome reminder for the next update on The Friends of Chadkirk blog and that will give you an idea of what’s going on at Chadkirk. Please get back in touch when you see it and come back with any comments or questions. Hopefully you will find that you can join in with our gardening activities some day soon.