As I am sure you will all have noticed, our amazing community of volunteers have been very busy maintaining and improving Darch’s Wood, ensuring its future as a community asset and keeping it open and accessible to the public for all to enjoy.
Those who attended our AGMs in April 2022 and Sept 2021 will already be aware that we have been working with English Woodlands Forestry to shape a new five-year 'Woodland Plan’ that complies with Forestry Commission standards. The plan was approved last year and we are now taking steps to implement it, drawing on grants through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and Rural Payments Agency.
The new plan includes both Revenue and Capital items.
Revenue items include such things as: Opening up some of the rides to attract more birds, insects and butterflies, and to allow wild flowers to thrive. Freeing up some of our biggest ‘Veteran Trees’, by clearing the undergrowth around them.
Capital items include: Works to drainage and clearing Cherry Laurel and Rhododendron, which have run rampant in certain areas of the wood! (This work would be undertaken jointly between English Woodlands Forestry, the Amenities Society and a woodland contractor).
During February (commencing from Thursday 23rd) and later in the Autumn, we will be working with a contractor to clear the Cherry Laurel and Rhododendron ponticum from a number of areas in the wood to deliver on commitments in the Forestry Commission approved plan. This work is vital in enabling the removal of highly invasive, non-native species, and will enable us to replace them with native trees and shrubs that will enhance the biodiversity and therefore the future of Darch’s wood.
If you would like to know more, please contact us via email.
CHAS Chair – Steve Thompsett
cihamsoc@gmail.com
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