Friends of Big Wood Nature Reserve
Newsletter - June/July - 2023
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WALK LED BY RUSSELL MILLER ON JUNE 6TH
Russell felt that overall Big Wood was in good condition but there was a shortage of dead wood. He suggested that we carry out a deadwood beetle survey as it can tell us a lot about the history of the ancient woodland. He was also impressed by the numbers of wild service trees in the wood.
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FUTURE WALKS
An interesting walk has been organised for Saturday September 10th in Big Wood which will be led by geologist Diane Clements. She has checked out the wood and considers there is enough of geological interest to lead a walk. For further details and reserve your place on the walk, contact Bruce on brucemackay47@gmail.com.
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ACTIVITY MORNING
These will start again in September. The first two dates are Saturday September 16th and Saturday October 7th so please do note these dates in your diaries. More details on what we will be doing on each day will be provided in the August Newsletter.
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FOREST SCHOOL SESSIONS
The planned session for July 15th before the holidays had to be cancelled due to very high winds and there will now be a break until the autumn. We are thinking of amending the format of these sessions so if any Friends have ideas about how we can interest and engage the younger generation, please do contact us.
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2023 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
Many thanks to the members who have already renewed their subscriptions for 2023. This is a reminder to the rest to pay their subs for the year. There has been some problems with bank transfers because our bank (Metrobank) is not part of the cosy club of traditional banks so when you enter our details your screen says they cannot confirm the account and to beware of scams. In fact you are quite safe to continue as the Metro bank, though small is quite safe and is a reputable small bank.
MEMBERSHIP
Many members have already renewed their membership for 2023 and we thank them. But there are still a number who have not yet got round to it so we would be grateful if you could organise the annual payment so we do not need to chase. The correct bank account is the Metro Bank Acc no 41079576 sort code 23 05 80 or you can send a cheque to Friends of Big Wood c/o 4 Farm Walk
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SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL
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LITTER IN THE WOOD
Litter remains a problem and some of us regularly pick up litter as we go round the wood. If any one else wants to help and would like a litter picker, please contact us. We have a number of Friends who are regularly are picking up litter but please can all the Friends help to keep the wood clear of litter.
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DEAD WOOD
We reported on the importance of dead wood. The official UK standard for healthy woodland habitat requires 20m3 of deadwood per hectare and most woodlands in the UK, including Big Wood, is below this level. It is important therefore that all dead trunks and fallen branches are left where they fall or are left standing.
A reminder that ageing trees and dead wood are vital for a healthy woodland habitat. A huge swathe of the woodland ecosystem relies on tree wear and tear- hollows, dead branches and fallen trees.
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TREES INFO
There is a marvellous short clip about the management of oak trees and the importance of not compacting the roots in Kew Gardens following the great storm of 1987. Anyone who is interested click on the following:-
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WEB SITE
Remember that all details are here on our web site so do signpost your local friends and neighbours to visit the site and encourage them join the Association and to be Friends Of Big Wood.
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DATA PROTECTION
The Friends of Big Wood Organisation is aware of the new General Data Protection Legislation. Organisations such as ours, which keep a register of names purely for recreational reasons, are exempt from the new regulations. We would advise you all that the data stored is purely to enable us to provide information about Big Wood and no information will be passed to any third party. If, nevertheless, you would like your details deleted from the list, please email us
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