Wild and mysterious even today, the 220 acres that
make up Risley Moss are a last remnant of the boggy wastelands that once
dotted much of the Mersey Valley. Shallow lakes created at the end of
the last Ice Age gradually filled with layer upon layer of spongy
Sphagnum moss. Over many thousands of years, this waterlogged vegetation
built up to form raised peat bogs of which Risley Moss is now an
important surviving example. Although once described as 'useless', most
of the Mersey mosses were eventually drained for agriculture. But,
Risley Moss, which was wetter than the surrounding areas, remained an
untouched wilderness until the early 1800's. The Industrial Revolution
meant huge amounts of peat were needed for horse and cattle bedding in
the rapidly expanding towns. And so, by hand,the peat was stripped and
the fragile mossland changed forever. The Second World War brought
further changes. A vast munitions factory took shape on the edge of the
bog, hidden from enemy bombers by mists off the Moss. Here, labouring
day and night, 30000 (mainly women) workers produced a staggering one
million mines and 500000 high explosive shells. Though the German air
force targeted the supposedly secret site, only one enemy bomb fell
anywhere close. When the War was over, the site fell into dereliction.
By the 1970's the factory complex had been demolished to make way for
new houses. Thankfully Risley Moss and its high wildlife value were
recognised. Today Risley Moss is a Site of Special Scientific Interest
and a designated Local Nature Reserve read more