‘From coal tips to willow tits’: post-industrial Greater Manchester’s new nature reserve

The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh’s protected status is a reward for rewilding former coal-mining landscapes

Ducks, geese and swans congregate at the edge of Pennington Flash’s lake. They crowd around me, perhaps hoping for food, though I have none. Nearby is an ice-cream van, with one early morning customer, but the birds are not getting a cone from me. I wouldn’t share it.

Soon, however, the refreshment options are going to improve – though I’d advise against offering wildlife a flat white and a danish pastry. Beyond the ice-cream van, work continues on a £2.7m Wigan council project due to open in January, providing a new visitor centre and a cafe with outdoor decking where visitors will be able to sit and savour views of the lake, woodland and wildlife.