Our article in the December 2023 issue of Parish News (for the Parishes of Ashbrittle with Greenham, Bathealton, Stawley and Kittisford)
Not more trees…?
That was one of the responses we got as we started coming up with our plan. Fortunately, we’ve also had many more welcoming reactions.
But I’m jumping ahead so let me backtrack and introduce myself, Lawrence, and my colleagues – Kiran and Adam. We are three Londoners who have just bought an eleven acre field on the edge of Stawley. It’s on one of your beautiful lanes, called Bullock Field Hill in the estate agent’s particulars, though few around here seem to have been told that was its name. We have set up a “community interest company”, which bought the land in December 2022 from Fern Dunn, part of a family that will be familiar to many in the neighbourhood, who we understand have gradually disposed of their large local estate. We think ‘The West Field’, as it’s known, was her favourite so she kept it until last and we totally understand why – it is a really handsome spot.
Our aim was to avoid buying prime agricultural land – the West Field has been grazed by Rob Williams’ sheep for many years. Once upon a time it was part of a larger forest and the land includes a small remnant, recorded as ancient woodland. And the reason we bought it? Yes, to replant the trees and create a small woodland – around 4,500 native English broadleaf trees – to complement the lovely surrounding countryside. We’re new to the area (though have friends in Wiveliscombe), but keen to get to know it better, and already we are so glad to have an excuse to come and visit.
Why are we planting trees when there are so many here already? Well, in our view, we all need to be planting trees… to absorb carbon and help combat the crisis of global warming which is so terrifying that many people we know can’t bear to think about it for any length of time. But we don’t just want to plant a woodland. We want to improve biodiversity and we want to do it in a way that is sensitive to the locality.
As well as restoring the ancient semi-natural woodland, we will be planting shrub and tree species native to the area that will naturally create habitats for flora and fauna. And we want to source products and services locally as far as possible. Our trees are being supplied by the nursery at Heydon Hill, we stay locally when we visit, and we are enjoying discovering the wonderful and useful shops and businesses in Wellington and Wiveliscombe (as well as the Stawley village shop of course).
Our planting plan for the West Field which we hope to initiate early in the New Year. Woodland creation is a long-term venture and we hope to get to know our neighbours in the parish as we go forward. So, we’d like to encourage you to come say hello, visit the West Field (though please let us know first) and find out more about our project. We’re also always happy to have a reason to visit the Globe for a drink or the village shop for tea and cakes!
Longer term we hope to buy more land to plant more woods – so do contact us if you know anyone interested in selling – ideally more than five acres, but under twenty. And if anyone is keen to come out on a glorious February day to join in planting our first batch of trees, please do get in touch.