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In late April there's a lovely blue haze ... |
www.carpenterswood.org.uk
friends of
Carpenters Wood
(Chorleywood, UK)
Updated 28 August 2010
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In late April there's a lovely blue haze ... |
And in mid May the bluebells are at their glorious best:
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August Dawn - a haven of peace below a panorama of aerial traffic descending to Heathrow. |
REPORT AND PICTURES OF THE 3rd JUNE 2010 WALK
BARBARA'S BULLETINS
The latest email messages from Chair of the Friends, Cllr Barbara Green
Work parties meet at 10am on the first
Thursday and the third Saturday of each month
26/08/10
Dear Friends,
Here is the list of Volunteer sessions for the next few months. I have made a change at end of September/beginning of October, so I hope that is going to be OK with you all.
Thursday Saturday
2nd Sept 18th Sept
30th September (change!) 16th Oct
4th Nov 20th Nov
2nd Dec 18th Dec
6th Jan (2011) 15th Jan
3rd Feb 19th Feb
3rd March 19th March
I think that is enough for the time being.
with best wishes,
Barbara
13/08/10
Dear Friends,
I am afraid Martha, our secretary, has decided due to work commitments to stand down as secretary for the Carpenters Wood Friends Group, and so I am appealing to you all for volunteers for this task. It is not very arduous since we only have two meetings a year! If you think you might like to help, please get back to me. Our next meeting is on Thursday 2nd September at 1.30pm.
With regards,
Barbara
03/06/10
Hi Everyone,
Thanks to those of you who came on the walk with John Morris. It was extremely interesting and inspirational, and I think we all learnt a lot - it was good to have features which are normally ignored pointed out and explained to us. And the weather was beautiful! I will, in due course be doing a short report on his visit for the website, with lots of lovely photos!
I am enclosing (below) a draft of the Carpenters Wood Leaflet for your comments. Can I have these within the next few days as Alex has to get back to the designers soon. I think it all looks very good!
Just one last thing - for those of you who came along today to the walk, I would like to make a donation of £50 from our funds to the Chiltern Woodlands Project (which is the Charity which John Morris works for). John did not charge us for his visit which lasted nearly three hours and I think this is a good way of thanking him. I have already emailed him with thanks, of course. A donation of £3 -£5, or whatever you think reasonable, would be very gratefully received, so if you could pop a cheque or cash to Stephen Ramsay (Treasurer), cheques made out to 'Friends of Carpenters Wood', that would be great.
Many thanks,
Barbara
Carpenters Wood Leaflet (draft) (pdf - click to access)
17/05/10
Dear Friends,
Last Thursday was the most perfect morning with the bluebells at their very
best! Mindful of not disturbing nesting birds or bluebells, we carefully
removed some spindley beech saplings from Carpenters Wood and also cleared the
small area of holly near the fallen log at the turning along the path at the
back of Carpenters Wood Drive. Now you can sit on the log and get a
lovely view across the fields!
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Photos by new volunteer Wendy |
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After the volunteer session some of us stayed on and met with Julie Hughes,
Senior Landscape officer at TRDC, Alex our CMS expert, and Lee Tyson also from
CMS. We walked around the Woods and, amongst other things, discussed the
possibility of applying for Green Pennant or Green Flag status for the
Woodland. Lee was excellent at giving us lots of ideas for future work
projects, particularly if we want to go in for either of these awards.
Lee will get back to me with more info, but this is really something for our
next Committee Meeting on 2nd September.
Whilst we were there Alex had arranged for someone from the Probation Service
to attend to look at the rabbit fence (around the area of the badger sets at
the top end of Hillas Wood) with a view to its removal. He seemed to
think this was possible, and we also asked about removing some of the unwanted
posts and signs at the two entrances and down by the barrel arch.
We also thought that we could usefully remove the old gate at the barrel arch
which seems to serve little purpose at the moment. There are now
bollards there to stop people bringing vehicles in under the barrel arch.
I would like to get your views on removing this gate. Let me know what
you think.
Also, Julie Hughes promised to look into the possibility of two new
Notice-Boards for the two entrances at Farm Rd and Whitelands Ave. And
to also provide a proper ByeLaws sign!
Lots of things to think about! If you have any views, please let me
know.
Next session is Saturday 22nd.
With regards,
Barbara
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26/03/10
I recently contacted the Chilterns Woodland Project (supported by the Chilterns Conservation Board (www.chilternsaonb.org) with some information about Carpenters Wood so that they could include it in their 'Special Trees and Woods Project'. They have done a short article from the photos and info I sent and you can find it on the link below. I think it looks great and 'puts us on the Chilterns Map!'
Regards,
Barbara
Work parties meet at 10am on the first
Thursday and the third Saturday of each month
Explanation of the Group
Friends of Carpenters Wood
are a friendly and enthusiastic group of people, who give time when we can to help maintain and enhance the Woods for the enjoyment of all. Living, as many of us do, within easy reach of the Woods, we have learnt to value the benefits this special area provides – a beautiful, tranquil place to walk and sit, a place for children to play freely, and a marvellous haven for wildlife of all sorts.
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Photo: Donald MacLean |
So how did ‘The Friends’ come about and where do we fit in?
Carpenters Wood, which is an ancient wood, at least 400 years old, is owned by Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) who, with the help of the Countryside Management Service (CMS), manage and maintain it for the community.
Over recent years local residents became aware that some of the routine maintenance tasks were not really happening as frequently as they might, with the result that the Wood was beginning to suffer. Litter was beginning to accumulate, invasive plants like holly and laurel were taking over large swathes of the Wood, and pathways were becoming overgrown.
A flyer, raising the idea of a Friends Group, was produced and delivered to most of the houses closest to the Woods, and a subsequent meeting saw over 40 people attend! From this initial meeting, and with the help of CMS, our first volunteer sessions were set up. Tools were provided by CMS and one of their expert woodland officers, Martin O’Connor, came along to each of our sessions to guide, inform and train us in the necessary skills.
Training courses are available through CMS and a number of us now have been given essential First Aid training. Later this year two of the regular guys will be receiving specific training on brush-cutter equipment – we are not allowed to use any power tools such as chain saws – only CMS or TRDC specially trained staff are allowed to use these. With the help of a Grant, which we bid for and won at the Local Area Forum, we will soon be buying our own tools.
And this is what we have been doing!
Our Friends Group started its first volunteer sessions in July 2008, and we have met twice a month since. We meet every first Thursday and every third Saturday in the month – alternating from weekdays to weekends gives both those who work full-time and those of us who are ‘retired’ a chance to participate. Volunteers come when they can, and we generally have between 6 -12 of us at each session.
Over the last 9 months we have tackled some fairly major work in the Wood. Most of the Autumn was taken up by holly removal. A number of the footpaths had become overgrown with holly which, not only obscured many of the glorious views across surrounding fields and meadows, but also made the pathways dark and gloomy, and a bit ‘spooky’ for solitary walkers. Also the density of the holly meant that the footpaths were in permanent shade and therefore remained wet and muddy throughout most of the year. Removal of this holly along many of the footpaths, which is part of the CMS/TRDC management strategy for the Wood, has transformed these woodland walks. The sunshine now filters down through the lovely Beech trees and the views are wonderful!
More recently we have been marshalling our efforts into thinning out an area of Birch trees which have grown tall and spindly and very close together. This will, hopefully, encourage the Beech saplings planted in the area to grow, and will allow some regeneration of the woodland floor. Maybe even bluebells will start to appear there! In the Spring there is a carpet of glorious bluebells throughout Whitelands Wood, it would be good if these could be encouraged in other parts of the Wood. Maybe we will try some bluebell seed collecting and sowing and see if we can help them along!
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Photo: Donald MacLean |
For several sessions in early September we concentrated on creating a clearing off the main bridleway which we subsequently named ‘Beech Glade’. This area, which is surrounded by huge and magnificent beech trees, was waist high with bracken and was completely inaccessible. Now there is a small, sunny clearing, with a tree-trunk bench (which took much effort from Martin and his chainsaw!), where walkers can pause and enjoy the moment. This is also a brilliant place for picnicking – in fact we intend to hold our next Committee Meeting in Beech Glade in September!
That brings me to Committee Meetings!
Because the main aim of our Friends Group was to get out into the Woods and do ‘hands-on’ stuff, we did not want to get too bogged down with lots of committee meetings. However, we realised that we needed to be guided by CMS and TRDC and that our contribution needed to fit with the 5 Year Management Plan which TRDC set out for the woodland. So, we only have two Committee meetings a year, one in March and one in September.
However, we have drawn up a proper Constitution and have appointed a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary. This level of formality is necessary since, if we want to apply for Grants from TRDC or any other source, we need to supply evidence of a proper Committee structure, with minuted meetings, audited accounts and a written Constitution.
Our Latest Achievements.
Just recently we have been concentrating on creating this Web site, and producing an information leaflet for distribution locally. The aim of both of these things is to spread the word about our lovely Woods to other local people, as well as to those who are not so local, but may be interested in what we are doing.
We are also in the process of organising guided walks through the Wood. The first of these aimed at showing off the bluebells, should be organised soon (watch this space!) and we have other ideas for evening Bat walks and Autumn toadstool walks as well.
Contact Us!
If you would like to join us as a Friend, please email me at barbara.green@threerivers.gov.uk. We would be delighted to have you along – we are a friendly bunch of amateurs, so no special skills are necessary!
In order to raise money to cover some of our costs, for replacement tools, courses, administration, etc. we are asking for a small voluntary donation of £5 per annum from those of you who would like to support our work but are unable to get involved with our volunteer sessions. If you would like to contribute to our friends group this way you can download a standing order mandate (below). All the money received will be used to benefit the Woodland – no trips to the Caribbean planned!
Watch this page for regular updates on work carried out and up-coming events.
Councillor Barbara Green
Chairman, Friends of Carpenters Wood
Illustrated report on the ecology
by Martin O'Connor AIEEM of the
Countryside Management Service
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New Friend!
It's not unusual to see (or hear the strange bark of) Muntjac Deer in Carpenters
Wood
but on May 16th 2009 Tony Edwards came upon a young Roe Deer near the Farm Road
entry.
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Listen to the sounds of Carpenters Wood
Typical Working Parties
of Friends of Carpenters Wood
(With expert help)
7th May 2009
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May pictures by Donald MacLean
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Chilterns Newsletter
June 2009
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Related web sites
Chilterns Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty
Constitution
of
The Friends of Carpenters Wood
The Name
The name of the group is The Friends of Carpenters Wood.
Location
Carpenters Wood comprises three woodland areas known as Hillas Wood, Whitelands Wood and Carpenters Wood. It is a 22.8 hectare mixed woodland situated within the Parish of Chorleywood in Hertfordshire and is within the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site is owned by Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) and is a designated Wildlife Site.
Objectives
To enhance and improve Carpenters Wood, and to conserve it for future generations.
To involve local people in the enjoyment and maintenance of the Woodland.
To promote public awareness of the Woodland by means of publicity, volunteer groups, local events, and liaison with interested organisations.
To assist, advise and support TRDC in drawing up management plans for the Woodland.
To apply for grants from relevant organisations to fund the above.
Membership
Membership shall be open to anyone interested in taking an active part in the work and aims of the group.
The affairs of the group will be controlled by a Committee elected on an annual basis from and by the members of the group.
The group will meet at least twice a year to discuss its activities, and all members will be entitled to attend.
The group will work in partnership with appropriate officers of TRDC and Countryside Management Services (CMS).
The group will operate an equal opportunities policy.
Finance
Any funds shall be held by an elected Treasurer, submitted for independent inspection and approved at the AGM.
All funds shall be paid into an account in the name of The Friends of Carpenters Wood.
Any cheques drawn on the account, or financial obligations entered into, will need the signature of the Treasurer and one other Committee Member.
The Treasurer will keep a record of all transactions and will present an Annual Report.
If the group ceases to exist, any monies in the account shall go to a registered charity.
Insurance
The group shall have Personal Accident Insurance for its volunteers, and
Public Liability Insurance. All members of the group shall, through their
actions, ensure the health and safety of others.
Alterations to the Constitution
Alterations to the Constitution shall only be made with the consent of a
majority of the members of the group.
Email Us
(info@carpenterswood.org.uk)
Webmaster: Donald MacLean
donald@maclean.org
www.the-life-of.me
Site updated 28 August 2010