Snail Wood

photos

2010-09-10T16:48:00.017Z

Here are some of the latest photos,

taken this week in the Wood!

Snail Wood wins a Green Apple award!

2010-09-10T13:02:00.003Z

Some months ago we made a submission to the “Green Apple Awards” scheme, which recognises projects of all types, from all organisations, that make a positive contribution to the nation’s green agenda.

Last week we heard that the Snail Wood project was a winner and that we have been invited to the House of Commons to receive the nice glass trophy (predictably shaped as an apple) from a “well-known celebrity”.

Well done and thank you to absolutely everyone who has been involved! Watch out for more details when we collect it.

spring planting and clearing sessions

2010-03-26T17:09:00.004Z

We have had a couple of sessions in the Wood recently, one on a Saturday in February and most recently at lunchtime during work hours, to prepare for the planting by children of Fordham Primary School.

Both occasions held to the tradition that "the sun always shines on Snailwood", with nice, not too cold, weather. At the first we did lots of reed clearing and piling up of potential mulching material. Then this week at lunchtime 7 or so of us spent an hour planting several new willow trees that were too tall for the children to plant. Plus checking for dead trees to reuse the guards and stakes, and marking out where the 30 trees will be planted by the school, 15 in each of two spots.

All in all some good progress! Will hopefully post some new pictures soon.

James Calvert's BBQ in action!

2009-06-16T22:34:00.003Z

Dear Snail Wood lovers,

An April Sunday morning dawned, the sun was shining, there was a little light work to be done in the woodland but nothing too strenuous, some strimming, some tree maintenance..the usual woodland activities.

Perfect day for a BBQ and why the hell not, we hoicked out the charcoal that came with this generous donation and began using it. It's maiden Snail Wood feast consisted of marinated pork..Chinese style with toasted pitta breads and a side salad.....deeeeelish.

Why not join us for a BBQ in our virgin woodland one Snail Wood Open Sunday...just bring your own food, we'll supply the BBQ!

Keep a look out for a date on the blog soon!

Snail Wood Christmas Fayre

2009-05-08T12:31:00.002Z

Admittedly 6 months after the affair, but I wanted to mention that it took place in the run up to christmas and was a huge success. With the sales from donated items such as books, cakes, arts & crafts and produced items like the SnailWood calendar we made a moderate amount of money. This combined with the monster raffle, produced a total of over £600. Much thanks goes to Les Allen for sourcing the majority of the raffle prizes from Quotient Bioresearches suppliers. These included things like DVD players!, Ipod's!, Vouchers, microwaves! amongst many other donated smaller, usual prizes of alcohol & chocolates. Simon Biddle also deserves a thanks as chief salesman of the raffle tickets. If he was charged with selling frreezers to eskimo's he would probably be successful.

2009-05-08T12:30:00.000Z

Visit by Year 4 of Fordham Primary School to Snailwood

Tuesday [March 3rd] dawned reasonably clear, but better than that, not snowing. Having had to reorganise due to the weather it was preying on our minds slightly.
Thirtyish excited children and various helpers spilled out of the bus, wellies in hand and descended on Reception.
Following a fantastically delivered global warming story from Cathrin and an introduction from me, we snaked our way to the woods to dirty our wellies, oh and plant some trees.
The planting demo, ably provided by Mandy, was listened to intently; the only disappointment showing when the children were told they couldn’t wield the mallets.
In pairs, the children planted over thirty trees, spotting minibeasts and birds as they worked, the mallet wielding adults providing help when requested.
Our time outside finished with a spell of running around and searching for more wildlife, a class photo and a yell of “Thanks.”
Being careful not to drop too much mud on the carpets, we headed back through Reception to the Conference Room to finish off. A drink and snack break-for the children, obviously, was followed by our final presentation, delivered by Rachel at exactly the right level for the children, literally, as she sat on the floor.
The children left with a certificate to commemorate their morning with us, beautifully designed and printed by Claire, sure in the knowledge that they had helped to create a natural habitat for the local wildlife and done their bit to combat global warming.
The children were incredibly well behaved and had loads to contribute to the presentations, it was a great morning.
Lots of positive comments heard as the class left, including “We don’t want to leave, that was great.”
And from and adult helper “That was great, it went smoothly, was really enjoyable and the kids will remember loads from it.”
Job well done. Thanks to Cathrin Seibert, Mandy Richards, Rachel Hawkins, Claire Newham and Claire Kingsley (for mallet wielding)

Submitted by Katrina Arnold

No updates for 6 months!

2009-01-13T16:00:00.004Z

Hello,

I'm Gavin Beamon and have been the chairman of Snailwood for approximately 7 months. It has been remiss of me not to keep up the blog spot and keep people informed of what is going on. It would seem that not much has happened but you'd be wrong. Since July there have been several events and working parties. The sausage sizzle is an annual event and was held in the summer with improving success. Several work parties have taken place under the new banner of Snail Wood Sunday to improve and maintain the woodland path and the woodland itself. We have also had an enormously successful fundraising period, thanks to genourous donations, in the form of a great big bbq's donated by the generous James Calvert of Kentford, and Quotient BioResearch staff members efforts in the annual Christmas fayre. More details of these individual events will follow in due course.

Thanks and I'll write much sooner!

Gavin (White Hawk....it's what it means!) Beamon

No Updates for a Year!

2008-07-09T21:30:00.005Z

Wow - how time flies! I can't believe it's been a year without any posts, so, what have we been doing with ourselves?

Well, we've had an amazing year in the wood: we've planted hundreds of trees, we've been looking at access to the wood and paths within it (nothing's been decided on this front yet), we've been working with Fordham school on various stages of the Seed to Tree program and we've been raising lots of money to help us manage the wood. We've also had our AGM and elected Gavin as our new chairman.

The biggest thanks for this post absolutely have to go out to the kind people at eForest who gave us about 100 trees with the guards and stakes - thank you so much! Please take a look at their website - you'll be able to find out how much carbon you produce, how to reduce this and also how to offset some or all of it.

I've updated the Gallery section with some fantastic photos taken by Emma Sadler in December and May and some less fantastic ones that I took at the last couple of planting sessions.

Anyway, that's all for now - comings soon: Snail Wood goodies from our Cafe Press store!

Tom

Busy, Busy, Busy (Part 2)

2007-03-07T21:19:00.000Z

What a great couple of weeks we've had lately. Snail Wood feels properly up and running now as we've planted about 340 trees in the last few weeks.

The majority of these were planted on a lovely Saturday and we had a brilliant turn out of volunteers, mostly HFL staff and their families but with lots of help from the Regan family too.

On a personal note I have to admit to it being a horrible experience, but that's because I'd hurt my back a few days before and so had to sit (or stand) out on doing any physical work . Instead I generally made a nuisance of myself and wandered around taking lots of pictures (a selection of which are on the Gallery page). So, the planting session which I had been looking forward to a massive amount wasn't much fun for myself but was a great success for the Steering Group and Ellen in particular who's put a great deal of work into organising the trees, guards etc and had been fretting over the numbers up to the last minute.

However, we'd left a few trees over for those people who couldn't get to the planting on the Saturday and these were planted during Tuesday lunchtime. Which means I have managed to plant some trees in the wood, and it is a very satisfying process. I'd meant to write something on one of my tree tokens and plant it with the tree but I forgot. We've still got a few trees left as we ran out of deer guards so I'll try to do it when we plant those trees.

The hard work isn't over yet though as there's quite a bit of mulching still to do. Which I've been told is very hard work and not as much fun as the planting. Hmm, is that a slight pain in my back?

Sunday 4 Feb - Marking Out

2007-02-06T22:24:00.000Z

I know all the clearing was essential but at last it felt like we were doing something constructive. In a little over two hours, we marked out the glade and spiral path using canes (plus Ric's previous experience, Tom's twine and Ellen's gemtle supervision) and then staked out the area for the initial planting.

We do have a large pile of logs in the middle that really ought to come out before the saplings go in, the hope is for a working party of six or so to move or cut up some of it in the next week or so.

Our first trees arrive!

2007-01-25T19:09:00.000Z

Good day sirs/madames,

Today, the handiest man in HFL (Matt), Phil and I took receipt of the first trees for Snail Wood, amongst a pallette full of stakes and deer guards delivered in preparation for next months planting. Of course we didn't just take receipt of the trees and protective gear. The hardware was put into a temporary storage location at the end of the HFL road disrupting the net of HFL's extreme volleyballers. Whatever the weather they are out there every lunchtime, digging, spiking and setting. The forty odd small trees and shrubs consisting of downy birch, blackthorn, dogweed, buckthorn and spindle amongst others, needed to be temporarily stored in the ground until being planted out into the woodland. On this fine, sunny, but bitterly cold January morning Phil and I took our spade to the still partially frozen mud of the tree nursery, dug a hole and heeled in the shrubs which had handily come in one big clump. When first seeing the tree nursery we could clearly see that some wascally wabbits had been digging for treasure in it so naturally we were concerned for our little ones...err trees. An inpromptu rabbit proof fence was erected out of some wire meshing, a stake and some cable ties, dug into the ground slightly. A grand effort that should stop the rabbits having a buffet lunch.

This arrival brings home just how close we are to planting the first half of Snail Wood and just how far we have come in less than 18 months of this merry band of do-gooders initially getting together.

So... look out for the little ones as you enter HFL over the next month and say ahhhhhhh, aren't they cute.

Sunny Sunday 21 January 07

2007-01-23T20:15:00.000Z

Encouraged by Ric's optimism (even though we'd cleared the wrong half a couple of weeks earlier) and good advice not to do more than 3 or 4 hours, we were able to clear most of the right half in bright sunshine.

This included some felling of small trees, clearing away logs, twigs and brambles and a modest bonfire (which we permit on the basis that the CO2 will be reabsorbed by the wood). We also found the skull and jaw of a small deer near the "burial mound" in the north corner.

Everyone is looking forward to actually planting something!

PS Note to all, in future double Ric's time / effort estimates!

Busy, busy, busy

2007-01-12T22:18:00.000Z

Wow, we've had an amazing couple of months in the wood with loads of exciting things going on.

During the last couple of weeks of November we had SP Landscapes in to fell about 80 poplars on the site, this has been done to allow us to replant with native trees suitable for a wet woodland. The plan is to get the first stage of replanting done in the next 2 or 3 weeks.

The felling has had a huge impact on the area and I'll try to get some pictures of the new landscape posted this weekend. In order for the planting to go ahead we've started clearing all the debris and woodchip away, this has proven to be a much bigger task than I expected but with enough volunteers and positive attitude I think we'll be OK.

We've also been moving ahead with some fundraising things, we had a big push at work in December with a Christmas fair and a raffle, the Friends of Snail Wood scheme has also been launched and we've had some fantastic offers of support, which we're all really grateful for.

The next few weekends should involve more clearing and then the brilliant part of marking out the planting plan and doing some actual planting - hurrah.

From tiny acorns…….

2006-10-23T07:16:00.000Z

Members of local Snail Wood Project Group helped children from Fordham Primary school collect tree seeds for planting in their tree nursery.

The Snail Wood group and Fordham Primary school children went on a seed hunt in Fordham woods to collect native trees seeds which they then planted in the schools tree nursery. The tree nursery was built for Fordham Primary by the Snail Wood Community Woodland Project Group. Once seedlings reach the desired height and age they will then be transferred by children from the school into Snail Wood which is a dedicated acre of woodland onsite at HFL Ltd.

The joint project between Fordham Primary and the Snail Wood group is dedicated to educating children about the environment, and the nursery is the first step of a long-term commitment to create a native British woodland for the local Fordham community.

Over the coming years, many tree seedlings will be planted and transferred from the school into Snail Wood to create the community woodland.

Snail Wood members visit local community project

2006-09-15T08:29:00.000Z

On the evening of 5th September, members of the Snail Wood Steering Griup visited Little Downham Community Orchard.

The reserve comprises of Pingle Wood (1.01ha), Myles Meadow (3.09ha), Holts Meadow (1.90ha) and Holts Spinney (0.77ha) with a total area of 6.77ha in all.

Pingle Wood was acquired in 1995 and was transformed into a new woodland planted by the local community comprising of native trees - Ash, Alder, Hawthorn and Guelder Rose. Myles Meadow was also aquired in 1995 and is seasonally grazed by local farmers. Holts Meadow was aquired in 2000 and hosts a pond with Elm and Blackthorn and Holts Spinney is a secondary woodland of Ash and Field Maples. Notable wildlife are Water Vole, Scarce Cahser, Bullfinch and Dropworth.

The group met with members of the Little Downham Project and found the visit inspiring! Lots of ideas and tips were exchanged and gave the Snail Wood Group inspiration for future projects.

Snail Wood Awarded Grant Aid

2006-09-14T17:04:00.000Z

In August, Snail Wood received the fantastic news that their grant application to the Forestry Commission had been approved. The Snail Wood project has received help towards the funding that will be needed to fell the existing Non-native poplar plantation and regenerate the area with Native Wet Woodland species.

The forestry commission made an exception with the amount of grant aid awarded due to the fact that we plan to create a Wet Woodland, which is one of the priority habitats in the Cambridgeshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan.

The proposals are that the poplars will be felled by Autumn 2006, and the area will be re-planted in two stages; in the Autumn/Winter of 2006 and the Spring of 2007. The species mix should comprise:

40% Alder
30% Ash
20% Woody Shrubs
10% Other Native Broad Leaved Species suitable to the area.

Replanting should be at a density of 1100 trees per hectare - that's 660 trees in our 0.6ha area!

The woody shrubs are to include Buckthorn, Guelder Rose, and Grey Willow. The final ten percent "Other Native Broad Leaved Species" will allow us to plant specimen species that may not seed in an area dominated by Ash and Alder naturally, but will be suited to and survive in the habitat type. They may include Aspen, Downy Birch and Pedunculate Oak. These specimens will be very useful for education purposes whilst improving the biodiversity of the woodland.

It is very exciting news, and we are now excitedly awaiting the arrival of our felling license in the post. (Any day now...) Then finally, we can start putting our plans into action!

Snail Wood Logo Winner!!

2006-08-15T10:31:00.000Z

The Snail Wood Project now has a logo!

Hana Regan (age 10) of Fordham Primary School won the logo competition to create our new logo.

Hana was awarded at an assembly with a certificate and will also get the chance to plant one of the first trees in Snail Wood.

Visit to Golden Wood & New Photos of Snail Wood

2006-07-04T19:40:00.000Z

A couple of weeks ago a few members of the steering group and some 'other' members of HFL went along to the Green Light Trust's very own community woodland at Lawshall, near Bury St. Edmunds.

The wood has only been in existance for 12 years and I think we were all surprised by how mature it is. I was quite worried that it would take an age before anyone would see the benefits of ours, but having seen Golden Wood I'm even more excited by the prospects of Snail Wood and I'd like to thank Ric and Nigel for asking us over.

I've just finished uploading the latest pics of Snail Wood, we're showing the wood in 3 month intervals, so June's pics are now up in the Gallery section. I was amazed at the difference in the wood since I was last over there. The undergrowth, which was quite sparse is now huge. This is one of the great things about the whole project, getting to see nature in action and actually noticing the changing of the seasons rather than just changes in the weather.

Anyway, the photo's are now up and I've just remembered the Italy v Germany game is on tonight, so I'm off for a beer and hopefully an eciting second half. Cheerio, Tom

Self Assembly

2006-07-04T11:43:00.000Z

Last Wednesday is a day that will remain etched in my memory for many years! Sam, Mandy, Emma and I (Phil Driver, representing Snail Wood), together with Ric Edelmann (Green Light Trust http://www.greenlighttrust.org/) held an assembly at Fordham Primary School to launch the Snail Wood project and plant a celebratory tree.

Ric & I talked to the children about the Green Light Trust, the importance of woodlands, and the plans for Snail Wood. Ric really engaged the pupils with the 'riddle of Ssergorp & Erutan' (can you crack it?) and the history and role of GLT. Much to our embarrassment and the amusement of everyone else, Ric unexpectedly involved Sam and I in a rap with him about caring for the environment. We also launched a logo competition asking the children to draw an official Snail Wood logo - closing date is 12 July and a winner will be presented at the school with a prize in 2 weeks time - so watch this space!

After the assembly a Rowan tree was planted in the school grounds as a symbol of the partnership between Fordham Primary and the Snail Wood project.

The children placed their wishes for the future, written on leaf shaped pieces of paper, beneath the tree. The tree was planted with help from pupils, the Head Teacher Mr. Bullock and Rose Miller (school science coordinator)

This is the first step towards a great partnership between Snail Wood and Fordham Primary and we look forward to many years of planting by the local community.

All-in-all it was a great occasion and having spent a lot of time over the last few years presenting my work to international audiences i feel qualified to say that two hundred 4-11 year-olds are a pretty intimidating crowd!

Picture (L to R, Back: Ric Edelmann, Phil Driver; Front: Rose Miller, Mr. Bullock, Sam Mayoss, Rowan Tree, Mandy O'Donnell and Emma Sutherland)

Steering Group Meeting

2006-06-18T14:38:00.000Z

This week we held the latest Steering Group meeting, after a few months where lots of things have been steadily ticking away in the background it actually feels like we're close to getting some things done.

So, what have we got coming up in the next few weeks? We're off to the GLT's home at Lawshall on Monday to have a look around and have a chat with them about the progress so far. I'm really looking forward to seeing the sort of thing we're aiming for, and I think we'll all find it useful to see what we could be doing.

Phil and Mandy from HFL are involved in an assembly at the local primary school during the week, Ric from the GLT will also be involved and there'll be a tree planting ceremony to officially mark the partnerships between HFL, the GLT and the school.

We've applied for a grant to help us clear the land involved in the project, and I'm looking at another possible source of funds this afternoon.

All in all, it feels like we're really starting to build some momentum now, so keep watching this space.

Next week I'll also be taking some new pictures of the wood in its current state, so they'll probably be up on the site during the week or over next weekend (depending on football games and whether I go to see Larrakin Love in Cambridge on wednesday).

Template Updated

2006-06-10T17:41:00.000Z

Between watching the football and drinking tea I've been playing around with the template on this page. I've been trying to match it in with the main site, and I think I've pretty much got it sorted now. There's a funny blank line between the logo and the nav bar, but I've got no idea why it even appears on the main site, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to get it to match!

The next thing to do is create some user ids for other members of the steering group, and teach them the joys of blogging. We've got a comittee meeting next week, which will probably be a good time to do it.

-Edit- Ok, I tried it in IE and there were some horrible problems with the formatting, which I fixed ok. I then went in to check it out in Firefox and I'd managed to create some even worse problems! Bloomin' Internet Explorer, grrr. Anyway, an hours worth of fiddling with some divs and it all seems ok in both IE and Firefox.

First Blog

2006-06-10T11:24:00.000Z

Ok, Tom here. Posting the first blog on the Snail Wood blog page.

Never having used blogger before I'm not going to do too much.