Having successfully delivered a project investigating the history of the site, including the remains of a Grade II listed moated hall, the Friends of Rectory Park joined local volunteers and Kirklees Council to investigate the ecology and biodiversity of the park. This included several species of birds and bats which are on conservation risk lists and a rare species of beetle.

The 18-month project Rectory Park Gone Wild installed a pond dipping platform and fencing to demarcate and protect different habitats. Four local schools were then able to take part in pond dipping activities to identify and record the different species.

Volunteers were trained to build dry stone walls, produced four habitat specific interpretation panels and associated leaflets for the public, and produced a biodiversity management plan to ensure the site would be well managed in the future.

Tim Duke, Friends Group Chairman, said: “The project highlighted the importance of the Park as a wildlife area and through working with the local schools we hope to promote good management and ownership by local people. It is now a lot clearer to people how they can help the volunteers bring the park back to its former glory.”