The Fairfield Association is a Lancaster community-based environmental charity which funds and maintains Fairfield Nature Reserve, Fairfield Millennium Orchard, Fairfield Green Playground and Aldcliffe Road Triangle.
Fairfield Cycle Hub
The new Cycle Hangar is now in place next to the Fairfield Playground. It holds six bikes and the annual cost for a space is £25 – the same as a parking permit. Demand has far outstripped supply, so we intend to install a second hangar and provide facilities for shorter term stays, as well as a repair stand. Grant applications have already been submitted and we hope to hear back in April, when more details will be shared.
Previous Community Events
Apple Day
Recent events have included the annual Apple Day in the Orchard on 5 October 2024, which was a well-attended and fun afternoon for all ages. Alongside local apples and wood-turning, there were children’s games, a jazz band and of course, the Fairfield cake stall with tempting treats.
Carol Singing
Our traditional Carol Singing around the streets of Fairfield took place on Christmas Eve. The weather was kind and there was a large group of singers. Particular thanks to all the children who helped us fill our buckets!
Upcoming Events
Easter Egg Hunt
Our next event will be the annual Easter Egg Hunt in the Orchard on Easter Monday, 21 April 2025 from 2.00-4.00pm. Come along for tea and cakes, children’s crafts, and of course, the Egg Hunt. We are looking for volunteers to help on the day: if you are able to help, please email to let us know.
Fairfield Festival
The Fairfield Festival returns on Saturday 24 May in the Playground from 12 noon – 8pm: join us for good food, good music and good vibes! We’ll be hosting More Music’s Walking Down Our Street Gamelan for children, and there will be a full program of musical entertainment for grown-ups, as well as a selection of food offerings and the usual well-stocked, good value bar!
Wild Roots Nature Festival
Also coming soon, on Friday 13th to Sunday 15th June is the Wild Roots Nature Festival, which will include guided walks around the nature reserve.
Open Yardens
On Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June we plan to repeat the successful Open Yardens event held in 2022. A number of ‘yardens’ (gardens and back yards) will be open throughout the weekend – last time there were over 20. The public can buy a £6 ticket to visit unlimited yardens over the weekend.
There will also be tea yardens offering refreshments. Look out for local publicity or check the website near the time for more details, including how to get a ticket. All proceeds will go to the Fairfield Association.
Volunteer your Yarden
You can also volunteer to open your back yard or garden on one or both days. The theme is ‘yardening for wildlife’: if your yarden, however big or small, has a wildlife-friendly feature (e.g. pond, hedgehog homes, bird habitat, wildflower meadow, insect hotels) please get in touch by emailing . We will forward your email to Jon Barry to let him know.
Nature Reserve Update
This winter we have commissioned work to improve the security, accessibility and safety of the reserve: a contractor will shortly be on site replacing broken gates and posts and restoring worn surfaces on the paths and our tree surgeon has removed branches and felled trees with ash die-back. Fallen trees are left in situ: in Little Wood brash piled on the trunks provides shelter for birds and small mammals.
Bird feeding rota
We have a rota for feeding small birds such as chaffinch and reed-bunting through the winter and record sightings on the notice board and the blog. A barn owl has been seen over Big Meadow.
Dog poo
Volunteers continue to keep the reserve in good shape, laying hedges, mending fences etc. However, there is an increasing problem with dog poo. This is unpleasant for everybody, particularly our hands-on volunteers. Please would owners pick up after their dogs and help us to keep the reserve a safe and pleasant place.
Fairfield 2026 Calendar
We will be producing a calendar again next year as a fund-raiser and a year-long celebration of the Fairfield green spaces. Please support us by sending in your photos (we need landscape format 300 dpi., around 3507×2480 pixels) to:
Fairfield Association Meetings
The next Fairfield Association meeting will take place in the Tite and Locke at 7.30pm on Tuesday 22 April. These monthly meetings are open to all and newcomers are always welcome. Details of all our events and meetings can be found on the website calendar.
Join the Volunteers
Our volunteers regularly maintain and enhance the Nature Reserve. We meet at the Orchard Stump Circle on Wednesdays from 9.30am and the second Saturday of each month from 10.00am. If you would like to join us, please email and we will forward your email to Rebekah Mulligan, the volunteer organiser.
No previous experience is necessary; we are proud of our record of developing our volunteers’ skills, including hedge-laying, scything, fruit tree management and fencing.
Support the Fairfield Association
Would you like to help support the Fairfield Association?
Community Membership is free: join up if you want to get involved and hear from us regularly about news and events. Become a community member.
Fairfield Friends are members who make regular donations that provide our charity with a regular revenue stream, enabling forward planning for essential maintenance work of the nature reserve. For details of how to become a Fairfield Friend, make a donation, or even leave us some part of your estate, go to Fairfield Association Friends.
Already a Fairfield Friend? Your annual payment may now be due. You can pay by cheque, BACS or you may prefer to set up a standing order.
For more information
- Email:
- Facebook: /FairfieldAssociation
- Instagram @thefairfieldassociation
Anti-social behaviour
Please report anti-social behaviour in the Playground or Nature Reserve by phoning the Police on 101.