Community celebrates woodland grant

Press Release

A group of local people in Tongham are celebrating a successful grant bid to help restore woodland. Their collaboration with the local authority’s countryside service will mean higher funding and a better chance of a success in the long run.

The Woodland Improvement Grant was awarded by the Forestry Commission to help the community restore the Tongham Wood to its former glory. Surrey County Council have agreed to match funding for the award. The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership will be working with the local community on the project over the next few years.

Tongham Wood is well used by locals, but has had no active woodland management in recent years.  Tony Anderson, Project Manager at Blackwater Valley said ‘The funding by the Forestry Commission and Surrey County Council is excellent news for the people of Tongham and Tongham Wood itself.’ The wood will be a great resource for locals as a nature and recreation area.

Woods today have a great potential as a community resource for education and recreation. For management of the wood to be successful and sustained the community needs to be involved – and we are very lucky that Tongham Parish Council, Ash Manor School and the local youth groups want to help.

Work will start in the autumn after the growing and nesting season is over.  The project will improve public access and remove rubbish from the woodland. There will be opportunities to help in tree and shrub planting and other events that are to be held later in the year.

Tony Anderson, explained; ‘By the local community getting actively involved we can maximise the funding and also ensure that community investment in this great resource will help protect the wood for people and wildlife for many years to come.’

If you would like to become involved or want further information about the project, please contact Tony Anderson at Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership on 01252 331353.

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For further information or interviews

Contact: Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353 or e-mail blackwater.valley@hants.gov.uk

The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership is funded by a partnership of County, District, Town and Parish Councils.