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Volunteers clinch coveted regional award and take a big step towards
landing national recognition for their work.
A 130-member community group is on its way to clinching a national award
following a five-year effort to convert an overgrown, boggy and
litter-strewn piece of waste ground into a thriving three hectare (8.5-acre)
plot of traditional English woodland.
Park Wood is on the edge of Waterlooville, near Portsmouth, and was given a
helping hand thanks to support and cash grants from a host of organisations
including the Woodland Trust, the UK’s leading woodland conservation
charity.
The site was cleared of invasive species to help give its ancient yews and
oaks space to thrive. It has also become home to a whole host of rare and
protected birds, insects and plants including buzzards, finches, jays,
spotted flycatchers, woodpeckers and an escaped Indian mina.
Conservationists have also recorded small skipper and white admiral
butterflies at the site.
Friends of Park Wood chairman Jackie Buckley, says her group has been named
as a regional winner of the Nationwide Voluntary Endeavour award and had now
been shortlisted as a national finalist in the competition’s adult group
category, representing the entire Meridian region.
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She adds: “We are absolutely delighted to get to this stage. A lot is down
to our founder John Carter and all the support we have had from our
volunteers and local schoolchildren. Lots of people have got involved in the
project and helped turn an intimidating piece of waste ground into something
for the entire community.”
The Friends of Park Wood could now walk away with a trophy, £2,500 cash and
£500 of retail vouchers, which are already earmarked for equipment and
secure storage. The group also recently won the Woodland Trust’s Voluntary
Group of the Year Award.
The Friends of Park Wood landed a Local Heritage Initiative grant from the
Heritage Lottery Fund in August 2000 and has continued to work closely with
the Woodland Trust to improve site management and install amenities, seats,
interpretation boards and research its history.
Trust woodland project co-ordinator Paul Bunton says: “The Friends of Park
Wood is now going from strength to strength. The volunteers have done a
superb job - and are giving local people a fantastic amenity as well as a
habitat for wildlife. The Woodland Trust is delighted to have been able to
help. Many other community woodland groups can share information and
resources through our interactive Community Woodland Network. Its
effectiveness has already been well proven and we know that all these groups
benefit from the exchange of ideas and support with resources.”
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Feet sculpture in Park Wood
Park Wood volunteer CWN group
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