Blacker Wood Conservation Group

The group consists of local people who have a desire to preserve the woodland for the enjoyment of future generations. A management plan has been produced with the aim of encouraging wildlife to use this valuble habitat, whilst also catering for people. Volunteers are always welcome to join in activity days and meetings - see the diary section of this website for more details.

 

 

Practical work carried out so far (Year ending September 1999)

  1. Some drainage work has been completed on the footpath and several low lying wet areas have been built up with materials found locally. The steps up from the footbridge have been cleared of mud and repaired, and overhanging branches cut back. The steps near the bridle gate have been cleared of mud and re - ballasted.
  2. An alternative route for horses leaving the river has been created by clearing fallen trees and vegetation, and making a way through the derelict wall. This is to avoid the need for horses to use the steps from the footbridge. A route from the wall into the wood, avoiding the footpath, has also been cleared of overhanging branches (horses churn up paths).
  3. Waymarkers have been replaced.
  4. Work has commenced on repairing the east and south eastern boundaries. The missing eastern boundary running north from the sewer pipe has been reinstated with a temporary barb wire fence over an agreed new route. This is to be replaced with a permanent post and rail fence and hawthorn hedge. The old bridle gate has been repositioned at a point where horses often leave the wood. A new stile has been erected to replace the gate and approximately 20 metres of this south eastern boundary wall has been rebuilt. Work on this wall is ongoing. See photos below.
  5. Habitat work has commenced on the old meadow. Two trees have been crown lifted to allow light to the meadow floor. A section of the black thorn hedge has been cut back significantly and a number of self set saplings have been removed. The cuttings have been stacked in habitat piles. A large section of the meadow has been cut by hand operated mowing machine, left for two weeks to allow seeds to set, then raked off and stacked.

October 1999

 

Group members at work on the boundary walls. Dry stone walls are an important feature of our landscape as they last for many hundreds of years and provide homes for several types of wildlife. The wood has a large perimeter with many walls to rebuild, so come along and learn a usefull countryside skill! (See events page.)

 

Enter the wood with style!!

Newly completed stile and wall complete with 'doggy underpass'.

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