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FRIENDS
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This
group aims to support the development and management of
the Woods. Meetings are held at the Papplewick and Linby Village Hall
See our programme on the 'Events' page.
to download a copy of the constitution.
for more information about the friends.
for more information about the project.
for more information about the woods.
return to the home page.
Moor Pond Wood was originally constructed as a water storage reservoir in the late 18th Century by the Robinson family as part of their extensive cotton milling activities along the River Leen. Water fed into it along a series of leats or canals from behind Papplewick Dam and was then released, as required, to feed the waterwheels at Grange Mill.
Since cotton refining finished in 1828, Moor Pond Wood slowly returned to nature. The resultant woodland is designated a local wildlife site, with some twenty species of bird regularly observed, along with bats living amongst the mature oak, ash and chestnut trees. There are also area of willow carr, and mature willow woodland.
The site is now owned by the Co-operative Wholesale Society and is managed by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Countryside Management Service under the terms of an agreement. In consultation with the Parish Council, they help to maintain the wildlife interest and keep the footpaths open for local walkers.
When the Parish Council’s Millennium Committee were discussing ideas to mark the millennium in the summer of 1999, it was decided to use the opportunity to try to develop the importance of the site for local people, and mark the celebrations by creating a valuable permanent resource for the parish. The Council decided to focus its ideas on three areas:
Expertise was brought in from the County Council’s Countryside Management team and the Greenwood Community Forest Partnership team. Working as a partnership with these bodies, the Parish Council’s Millennium Committee worked up more detailed ideas on what was best for the site’s future. A feasibility study has been carried out and sustainable goals established.
The proposals include the following elements:
Support for the proposals has been gained from the Corridors to the Countryside Group, a local collective of organisations with an interest in the management of access and wildlife corridors situated on Nottingham’s rivers. Organisations represented include the County, City and District Councils, the Environment Agency, the Countryside Agency, the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and the Greenwood Partnership team.
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Funding for the project, to be phased over several years, will need to come from a variety of sources. The Local Heritage Initiative and Heritage Lottery Fund have awarded substantial grants, and further grants have come from 'Powergen', BTCV and Breathing Spaces. Additional grants have been made available by Ashfield District Council, Gedling Borough Council, The Rural Community Council and Wildlife Trust.
For further information about the group please contact
The Parish Clerk or the Friends' Chairman
