Comm unity | Fenscene Two Decades…


Above: In 1999, more than 140 volunteers planted 300 trees and 300 shrubs to create the community wood.


ceremony a new public footpath (Witchford Footpath 13) to the Wood’s east boundary was offi cially opened.


In 2012 a picnic table was


provided by the parish council and installed by Team D Witchford working group. Six years later, Witchford Brownies with their supporters, built a Mini- beast Hotel to provide shelter and nesting sites for bees and other small animals.


WOOD MANAGEMENT


The Woodland Group was set up to manage the Wood on behalf of the Parish Council. It meets twice yearly to set out the management programme, and following Parish Council approval, local volunteers (mainly the Open Spaces Group and Team D) undertake the agreed activities.


Management and enhancement activities at present are typically: n planting and protection of shrubs


Above: A local craftsman made the oak gates and carved the Millennium Wood lettering.


n installing and maintaining bat and bird boxes


n selective coppicing and lopping to reduce overcrowding


n controlling invasive vegetation n trimming the boundary hedgerow


n providing log eco-piles n placing wood chips on the woodland paths


n maintaining the fi re pit n mowing the meadow The original oak gate posts


Above: Only 0.3 ha or 0.75 acre, the Millennium Wood is nevertheless, packed with features.


were replaced in 2018, and during 2019 the gates were renovated by volunteers. They will be reinstalled this autumn.


LOOKING AHEAD


Left: Each June, the meadow mow takes place in the Millennium Wood.


As it approaches its 20th birthday, the Millennium Wood is likely to remain popular as a venue for outdoor events, and equally, as a place to enjoy peace and quiet and the woodland wildlife. It is in good health, and the management provided by the Parish Council, the Woodland Group and its willing volunteers should ensure a secure future.


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