|
In January
2008, volunteers planted 3000 trees on the Parish Council land of 2
hectares adjoining Chilswell Path. The area is
located on a patch of former arable land adjacent to Chilswell path on
the south side of the A34, between the golf course and the garden
centre. The land, owned by the Parish Council was identified as a
possible new woodland resource by the 2005 parish plan. Oak, ash and
other naturally occurring trees and shrubs were planted by residents and
pupils from a local school
A nursery contractor took responsibility, and many volunteers were
involved in the actual work, which was paid for by grants obtained from
the Doris Field Foundation, the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment,
the Forestry Commission and individual payments made by parishioners. We
are most grateful to all for their kind generosity.
The
layout of the woodland was designed by the Oxfordshire Woodland Project
, a partnership between Oxfordshire County Council, Vale of White Horse
District Council and others. David Rees of the Project says
"broadleaved woodland is great for wildlife and as a place for
people to unwind. In future, we hope the trees will grow into good
timber for construction
Do come and see how this bare open field has been transformed into new
woodland. Just one week after the stakes were inserted a Stonechat was
spotted perched on one, so the wildlife was clearly waiting anxiously
for the transformation to take place.
|
