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Community Woodland Network Early Summer Newsletter 2006 |
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Community Woodland Network Early Summer Newsletter 2006 |
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Hello all |
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Summer events If you are holding an event at your wood, our event pack could be just what you are looking for. It includes tips and ideas for running activities, scavenger hunt sheets for children and pencils too! All you have to do is register your event on the Tree For All website. |
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Hedge and copse packs You'll be pleased to know that we sent over 2000 further hedge and copse packs to schools and youth groups up and down the country this spring. There was a choice of either 30 hedgerow species or a small copse pack which contained 10 of each of the following: rowan, silver birch and cherry. We had to change the copse pack from the original hazel as the mice and squirrels ate most of those sown at the nursery! If you know a school or youth group that would like a free pack for this autumn please let them know. They should apply directly via the website. |
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Website changes The promised changes to the website are almost complete. The major area of work has been building the new mini web pages. These will be going live shortly so your group can have it's own website. There is a choice of design templates and you can add pictures of your wood and additional files etc. Keep an eye on the main project website for details. |
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A call for woodland photos We are currently updating the general website images. If you have any good shots of your woods and your volunteers at work, please do send in copies which you are happy for us to use! Ideally the should be emailed or put on a disc and sent to the address below, but prints or slides are fine too! |
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Website of the week Something else to look out for is the website of the week. Each week (or thereabouts) we will feature an interesting website. If you would like your group site featured or have a suggestion for a website please let me know. |
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Grants now available Our grant scheme is up and running again for 2006. This year we have £10,000 available in total. We are particularly keen to hear from groups who haven't applied before. For the first time the grant is also available to groups in Wales. Schemes can range between £500 and £1000 and are for items such as tools, training and equipment. More details |
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Mixing woodland and wildflowers We have recently been working with the wildflower charity Landlife to trial and develop sowing wildflower mixes at the same time as planting trees on new sites. The project involves the inversion of the topsoil using heavy machinery to reduce the soils fertility. The results can be spectacular and the trees benefit too. Read more. |
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Greys vs reds! There has been a lot of press recently about grey squirrels (good or bad depending on whether you're a grey squirrel or not!). Have a look at the Forestry Commission website for details on both species and make up your own mind. |
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My patch Ian Hammerton has had a love affair with Joyden's Wood spanning a very eventful 45 years. In early 1959 I placed a deposit on a house in a new estate called Joyden's Wood near Bexley in Kent. Me and my young family watched our home rise up from the clay and arrived in time to celebrate fireworks night in the muddy garden. At the bottom of this garden was a main pathway into the Wood. As my family grew up, our walks there got longer and my interest in its wildlife deepened. There is so much in the wood and it's the perfect spot to find tranquillity. But by 1986, rumours began to circulate that part of it was to be sold to another housing developer. I joined others in suggesting a 'Save Joyden's Wood' Appeal and was elated when in September 1987 the Woodland Trust acquired the wood. The night before the opening ceremony, the notorious hurricane came and by the morning fallen trees blocked all the entrances to the wood. Locals rallied together to form the Joyden's Wood Support Group. I am the leader of the group that still meets weekly today. Since 1986 I have given several hundred talks about the wood, led numerous walks and encouraged many children in learning about its wildlife. All members of the group do everything they can to care for the wood and raise awareness of its value. Ian Hammerton has an MBE in recognition of his services to conservation. He has written 'A Wood on our Doorstep - Joyden's Wood'. Profits from its sale support the Woodland Trust and the group's work. Contact the Trusts Volunteer's Team for ordering details . |
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Where have
Britain's moths gone? A new report reveals that the moth population of Britain is in serious decline, causing concern for the future of many species of birds, bats and several small mammals that feed on them. Read more |
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Open College
course in fundraising
The Certificate in Grantsmanship is a Level 3 online course for volunteer fundraisers and community leaders working to set up, manage and sustain local community projects. This accredited short course covers the skills required to be a successful and creative fundraising all-rounder.
Unlike other fundraising courses, this course uses a virtual classroom that enables you to learn with members of other groups from all over the UK. The class is tutor-led with plenty of online discussion and networking. |
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Community Woodland Association See what community woodland groups are doing north of the border. Many of their publications including back copies of Woodland Voices are available to download from their website. More details. |
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New guides from the Small Woods Association Two publications giving marketing advice to woodland owners. produced by The Small Woods Association in partnership with Forestry Commission England, Countryside Agency and England Forest Industries Partnership. Hard copies are available free from tel. 01743 792644 or email. |
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The Green Room A new online BBC service which highlights thought provoking environmental opinion pieces. There is an interesting article about the recently discovered Wollemi Pine. More information |
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Beetle spotters needed This summer, People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is appealing for volunteers to take part in their stag beetle survey, The Great Stag Hunt. Simply tell PTES where and when you saw one. More information can be found on their website. |
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The man who bought a forest It's not easy being the 145th richest man in Britain. Should you buy a chunk of rainforest to help save the planet, or loan a couple of million to the Tories? Johan Eliasch did both. Aida Edemariam for the Guardian met him. |
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The newcomers / the departing Whether due to global warming, changing farm practices or loss of habitat, Britain's flora and fauna is changing. Stephen Moss charts some of the new arrivals and those that have sadly departed. |
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Woodland bird survey Results of the most comprehensive survey of woodland birds for over 20 years were unveiled recently by Biodiversity Minister Jim Knight, with some important findings. Amongst other things, it reveals the loneliness of long distance migrants and good news for tits. |
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Motivating mates A new web-based service that encourages individuals to participate in a healthier lifestyle through conservation and voluntary activities. The site connects people of all ages and ability to forge social networks and to motivate others into activities for better health and learning. By registering for FREE on www.MotivatingMates.com you can search by region or activity to find someone to motivate, or someone to motivate you in your chosen activity. I haven't registered so don't know any more details but it might be a way of attracting extra volunteers to your project! |
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Conclusion Well that's it for this newsletter. Please do send in any news or features you would like including for the next edition, or putting on the website for that matter. Enjoy the summer and your woods! The Community Woodland Network Team. |
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Contact us Feedback, articles or anything else to: Paul Bunton Community Woodland Network Autumn Park, Dysart Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 6LL Tel: 01476 581155 or 01400 250920 Fax: 01476 594047
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