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Winter Work

  

As winter arrives, work in the Wood has settled into a routine of building dead hedges to protect areas from trampling and erosion. This can be done in the winter as certain species like holly and hazel can be coppiced to provide material for stakes and infill. Other jobs include routine repairs ro fences and gates as well as litter picks. 

It's great to see the Wood looking so much better than it did at the start of summer after it had been battered by three lock-downs and suspension of work.

 

Sunday volunteers installing new dead hedging by the steps up from Cox's Walk entrance.

 
Coppicing holly in the bluebell sanctuary. This not only provides material for dead-hedging but also opens up the canopy allowing more light through so the bluebells can thrive.

A new dead-hedge to protect the bank near the mulberry.

Recently, a new boardwalk has been installed by professional contractors. This is built over the outflow from the Dewy Pond, where the path was always waterlogged and very muddy.

The new boardwalk.

Finally, the new interpretation boards around the Wood are a welcome addition as they explain its history and ecology.

The new notice board by the Crescent Wood Road entrance.

The board explaining the role of volunteers.

The new board near Cox's Walk bridge which explains the Wood's industrial past.


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