As well as the
pond and the woodland there is an extensive area of wetland.Moor Pond Woods, Papplewick (a summary)
(Page updated
07 December 2007
)
history / access
/ millennium project / funding
/ offer to help / Detailed
information
Moor Pond Wood is the site of a reservoir, constructed in the 18th century (by the Robinson family) as part of their extensive cotton milling activities along the Leen valley. North of Linby Lane was a reservoir called Papplewick Dam. Moor Pond was between Linby lane and Papplewick lane, and a third reservoir was between Papplewick Lane and Grange Cottages. Water was taken from the River Leen and fed into the ponds along a series of ' leats' ( or canals). Water from the ponds was released, as required, to feed the waterwheels at Castle Mill and Grange Mill. A summary of historical information about the mills is found elsewhere.
Since cotton refining finished in 1828, the site of Moor Pond has 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 and
chestnut trees. As well as the
pond and the woodland there is an extensive area of wetland.
The site is owned by the Co-operative Wholesale Society and is managed through an agreement by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Countryside Management Service. In consultation with the Parish Council, they help to maintain the wildlife interest and keep the footpaths open for local walkers.
In the summer of 1999, when the Parish Council’s Millennium Committee were discussing ideas to mark the millennium, it was decided to use the opportunity to try to develop the site for local people, and mark the celebrations by creating a valuable permanent resource for the parish. The Council decided to focus its effort 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 near 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.
Funding for the project, to be phased over several years, will
come from a variety of sources. The Local Heritage
Initiative (administered by the Countryside Agency) have awarded a £7,000 grant to
fund the feasibility study (ecological management plan and archaeological plan). PowerGen have granted funding to
clear invasive waterweed from the pond. Gedling Borough Council have
awarded a grant to improve disabled access to and round the site. Other potential sources of funding
are being explored.
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A steering group plans and co-ordinate work on the project.
A group called the 'Friends of Moor Pond Wood' holds regular meetings.
Contact the clerk to find out more about the project, to volunteer to get involved or air your views.
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