Public Footpath to Hic Bibi Lane

Public Footpath to Coppull Moor Lane

Public Footpath to Wigan Lane

Public Footpath over Hic Bibi Brook

Willow Screen

You Are Here

N

5

Old Brickworks Electricity Sub-station

Train Line

1

2

4

3

5

The opening of the Wigan to Preston railway line in 1838 brought about significant changes in Coppull. Mineral lines were opened soon after and by 1860 Coppull was very much part of the industrial revolution with its mines, mills, pits and brickworks.

Hic Bibi colliery opened in the 1860’s. It was originally called Coppull Hall Colliery, started by Thomas Rymer Bourne. There were 2 pits as can be seen on the map from 1928. The Sidings Schedule shows that the connection serving the Colliery was put in under an agreement between Bourne and the London and North Western Railway dated 9th September 1864.

The colliery and brickworks did not require an extensive locomotive stock. There was an engine shed and one locomotive engine: Lilleshall.

A number of companies acquired the mining operations during the next decade including the Red Moss Coal and Canal Co. Ltd and the Hic Bibi Coal and Canal Co. Ltd (1876) but the latter firm was declared bankrupt in May 1878. Ellerbeck Colleries Co. Ltd was formed in 1880 to take over. The mines continued to function until November 1887 when they were abandoned.

Clay extraction at the brickworks began in the late 1880’s and was continued by the Ellerbeck Collieries Co. Ltd through to the closure of the brickworks in 1959. After the brickworks’ closure practically all of the structures were demolished and the site was left in a semi-derelict state.

Very few features associated with the site’s industrial history remain. There is some winding gear; one small brick building which was the brickworks’ electricity sub-station and the partial remains of a light railway track.

Industrial Past

Tel: 01257 515151Email: contact@chorley.gov.ukWeb: www.chorley.gov.ukDesigned and Produced by Woods Creative www.woodscreative.co.uk

PondsThe many ponds on site are all at differing stages of natural succession and are an important habitat for wildlife, forming part of a nationally important pond cluster. They support significant amphibian populations including the protected species, the Great Crested Newt. Other species recorded include Palmate Newt, Smooth Newt, Common Frog and Water Vole. The ponds also support a diverse range of invertebrates such as molluscs, beetles, damselflies and dragonflies to name just a few.

Grassland The majority of Hic Bibi Local Nature Reserve comprises of species-rich grassland together with areas of marshy grassland which provide ideal habitat and food for a multitude of insects such as the Burnet Moth, Speckled Wood, Comma and Common Blue butterflies.

Approximately 160 plant species have been recorded within the site which is a very high number for such a small area. Some of the less common species include Star Sedge, Northern and Southern Marsh Orchids, Common Twayblade, Selfheal, Sneezewort and Rough Hawkbit.

Please Respect NatureHic Bibi is home to many protected animals and plants. Please follow the visitors’ code:

• Enjoy the Nature Reserve and respect its wildlife.

• Keep to the footpaths.

• Keep all dogs on a lead and under close control at all times.

• Take your litter home.

• No shooting, horse riding or motorcycling.

1

3

2

4

Chorley Council acquired the land on a 999 year lease in 1993 enabling the Council to secure the site’s long-term future and develop and manage it as a nature reserve for wildlife and the local community. Reclamation work began in 1997 to create the nature reserve. Rubbish was cleared, new ponds and paths created, hedges and trees planted and fencing and stiles installed.

In 2007 a grant was obtained to help maintain the site’s national importance as a Great Crested Newt breeding site. Encroaching willow scrub was removed from the central area of the site and three new ponds of varying size and depth were created using the natural clay on site. The ponds support breeding amphibians and water voles and the newly exposed clay has re-established into species-rich grassland.

In order to minimise disturbance there are no formal paths to the ponds, grasslands or scrub. However, these features are visible from a number of locations along the path network.

Common Spotted-Orchid

Greater Burnet- Saxifrage

Common Frog

Dragonfly

Common Blue

Welcome To Hic Bibi Local Nature Reserve Natural History

Since clay extraction and brick making ended at Hic Bibi, the surrounding landscape has changed significantly. The adjoining railway line has developed into an important wildlife corridor, which has helped Hic Bibi develop into a vital oasis for flora and fauna. The variable topography and hydrology across the site has enabled a wide range of habitats to develop including ponds, dry and damp grassland and scrub. The presence of a substantial amount of clay and close proximity to the water table ensures that much of the site remains almost permanently waterlogged. This combined with the sheltered nature of much of the site creates a warm humid microclimate. This has been an important factor in the development of the special features of the site. The key features of most importance are the areas of improved/marshy grassland, the amphibian population, in particular the Great Crested Newt, the breeding bird population and the ponds.

Hic Bibi 1928

KeyThe process of natural colonisation has led to a diverse range of plants at the site. Ironically, it is these natural processes, particularly scrub, tree and reed canary grass colonisation, which could cause a loss of much of the grassland. The site is managed on an annual basis following an ecological management plan. You will notice that for part of the year the site is grazed by ponies who are much better suited to the undulating landform than a mower! This ensures that the scrub doesn’t spread and the grasslands are maintained and enhanced.Warbler

Birds As many as 40 species of birds have been recorded at Hic Bibi Local Nature Reserve. The site is one of the most important breeding Warbler sites in Chorley and the dense/scattered willow scrub is key to this. The site is notable for breeding Sedge Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Reed Bunting and Lesser Whitethroat. Around 27 different species of bird breed at the reserve which is a high number for a relatively small site and 10 of these are of conservation concern in the UK.

Other species of birds which can be seen at the site include Cuckoo, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Goldfinch and Mistle Thrush.

Surfaced Footpath

Hedgerow

Access Point

Pond

Grassland

Trees & Scrub

Reproduced from the Ordance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Chorley B.C. 100018509 (2010)

Hic Bibi Local Nature Reserve is an eight hectare site developed on a former clay quarry and brickworks. Although the site was created by the activities of man, the process of natural vegetation colonisation, combined with virtually no human intervention for nearly 50 years, has led to the development of a diverse and valuable ecology. The site is a place of special interest that needs protecting. If left, the processes of natural succession will eventually lead to the ponds drying out and the species-rich grasslands converting to woodland. In managing the site, the habitat and wildlife variety is maintained.

The name Hic Bibi is derived from Latin and means, “here drink I”. Nearby Hic Bibi Lane is an ancient Roman Road, it is believed that the name Hic Bibi was given to the well along this track by Oliver Cromwell. Seeing that the land surrounding the well was Monastic land it is most likely that the Latin name was given by the monks during the seventeenth century.

Site History

This stone marker on Hic Bibi Lane locates the well