Annual General Meeting 2023
Ash Dieback (Chalara)
Sadly the above has now reached Littleheath Woods. Very obvious are the ash saplings which had grown to 5 – 12ft and which are now mostly leafless. Some have pushed out new leaves low down on the trunk but these too are failing. The Councils Forestry Contractor has (September 23) carried out a survey of the remaining ash trees.
Chalara is a fungus which blocks the water transport system of the tree causing leaf loss and trunk lesions and although the younger trees are the first to suffer, already noticeable is the deterioration in the crowns of some of our large ash trees. We will monitor them carefully and it may be that some of the more mature specimens will be able to survive despite suffering the disease. However, sadly, we must be prepared to lose a large number of these lovely native trees. Hopefully, in the future, a resistant strain will be developed and we will be able to replant.
The Friends of Littleheath Woods construct Habitat Piles using sawn and fallen trees to build homes for insects and other wildlife. Please do not disturb the piles of logs or take timber away from the woods for your wood burner.
The introduction to their website says it all:
"Our local parks and public green spaces are vital for everyone and every community - and for all age groups and interests. They are an essential and unique service promoting relaxation, recreation and play, wildlife and bio-diversity, attractive walking and cycling routes, green jobs and skills, heritage, flood control, health and social well-being, and community cohesion.
However, there is growing alarm from the public, from Friends of Parks groups, parks managers, experts and politicians, about the serious long-term damage being caused by devastating cuts to green space budgets for staff and maintenance, and the lack of funding and investment by local and national government. If not reversed, this neglect will cause them to go into serious decline and become problem spaces abandoned by park users and plagued by vandalism - or even being closed and sold off. We must not let this happen."
• Celebrate the central role well-run parks play in our
neighbourhoods for all sections of our communities
• Recognise the right of every citizen to have access within
walking distance to a good quality public green space
• Endorse a legal duty for all public green space to be
managed to a good standard
• Embed effective protection from inappropriate
development or use, or loss of any part of our parks
• Ensure adequate long-term resources for ongoing
maintenance, management and improvements
• Encourage and enable community involvement and
empowerment of local people and park users"
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VWA News 04 Jun 2023.pdf Size : 497.107 Kb Type : pdf |
Horses in Littleheath Woods
Horse riding
is permitted in the woods - there is one bridleway
and one permissive bridleway. Unfortunately
we have had a number of reports and seen evidence of riders using other areas of the woods.
Not all areas of the woods are suitable for horse riding. Horses can cause damage to habitats and churn up pathways, making them unusable in wet weather. Many of the non-bridalway paths also have hazards, such as badger sets and overhanging branches, that make them dangerous for both horse and rider. Many dog walkers also let their dogs off the lead in areas away from the bridleways and we want to avoid incidents that could be bad for the dog or horse.
We would therefore like to remind horse riders that they have to stick to the bridleways when using the woods. If anyone sees a horse being riden in other areas of the woods, please contact the Friends group with a description of the horse & rider (e.g. colour of horse, gender & approx age of rider, colour of riders’ clothing, etc.) so that we can bring this to the attention of the local stables and hopefully prevent any further incidents.
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FOLW Minutes September 2023.docx Size : 13.154 Kb Type : docx |
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FOLW_AGM_Minutes May 2023.pdf Size : 62.547 Kb Type : pdf |