23rd December 2008

Volunteers required for Southwood Woodland

Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership will be holding its first volunteer work party at Southwood Woodland on Sunday 28th December.  It’s a great way to get out in the fresh air, burn off all those Christmas calories and help your local environment.  The work will involve clearing scrub and cutting down invasive birch and other trees to open up
the site to enable the self-seeded young oak saplings to grow. Tree guards will be placed around the saplings to protect them from grazing deer. 

Southwood Woodland is owned by Rushmoor Borough Council who acquired it fairly recently
and are improving the area to make it more accessible for people to use.  A series of footpath have already been developed but this is only the first element of a major improvement scheme to
balance the requirements of wildlife and amenity
to provide a valuable natural resource for the community. The site was officially opened to the public by Mayor Cllr Alan Ferrier in October

The site was originally farmland, divided via field boundaries and drainage channels. Ordnance
Survey plans first show areas of woodland developing at the beginning of the 20th century
and by 1966 the site was, with a few exceptions, completely wooded. The site includes large areas
of regenerating birch, together with mature oak
field boundaries. Holly and hazel are other common species. Areas of alder carr, grassland and heathland form localised important habitats and ground flora includes bluebells and ferns.

The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership is now working in partnership with Rushmoor Borough Council to establish a local community group to
 look after the site, which is designated a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).

The work party on Sunday 28th December will be
on site from 10.30am until 3pm, access is via the southern end of Kennels Lane off Iveley Road, Farnborough, just north of the Cody technology Park. Anyone can come along as tools and training will be provided,  although volunteers should wear old waterproof outdoor clothing and strong shoes or boots. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

END

For further information contact:
Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353.
Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS.