History

In early 2014 Sally Mitchell and Matilda Simon secured the land with the intention of making a community woodland. Originally two grazing fields, it had been little used in recent years and had become an overgrown wildlife haven, with fox, badger, weasels, voles, bats and many birds, from chiffchaff to sparrowhawks and owls. Plants include many common wild flowers such as bluebells and less common species including orchids, woodrush and saxifrage. Sally died in November 2015 but the land is a legacy for future generations. Her vision has been realised by volunteers who have put in many hours of willing work to develop the woodland. 1,500 trees were planted, the orchard, hazel and willow coppice and the vegetable and flower garden dug.

In September 2016, we set up a co-operative to own and manage the land. Currently we have over 120 members, of which eight are directors. Our key volunteers number over 20 and bring their varied skills to the project, from ecology to social media expertise.