Registered Charity Number 1129705

Winner of Lincolnshire Environmental Community Award 2009

ASHING LANE NATURE RESERVE, DUNHOLME

UPDATE ON STAR ENERGY’S YOUNG PERSONS DESIGN CHALLENGE AT MONKS WOOD,

In 2009, NWT received a grant from Star Energy Community Fund to launch the Young Persons Design Challenge. The Challenge was to design a main entrance to the newly created Monks Wood and a bridge across a ditch linking two sections of woodland and meadow.

57 designs were submitted by children and young people from Welton St. Mary’s Primary School Year 6, 2 nd Nettleham Guides and 1 st Nettleham 4 th Lincoln Scout Troop.

The judges were Julie Barlow from Star Energy, Rod Newborough from NWT, Charles Pickering, local landowner and Janet Wright, Chair of Dunholme Parish Council.

After much deliberation, the judges arrived at the conclusion that “everyone was a winner”. This was because they found so many good ideas across the entries as a whole that it was decided to blend all design elements to construct the thresholds.

Common elements of design included arches, cathedral towers, totem poles, living sculpture (willow) carvings, colour, sound and wildlife habitats.

Lincolnshire architect Philip Heath (Wilson & Heath Chartered Architects of Stamford) was asked to design the two thresholds. The results were:

The Main Entrance : a blend of natural materials and living plants constructed in the style of a lych-gate, but with “towers” and shingle roof. It will provide seating and shelter and spaces for an interpretation board and other information with plenty of nooks and crannies for wildlife.

The Water Crossing : reflects the image of the Humber Bridge . Posts start short and gradually rise to the centre and they will be linked by a heavy rope running through holes towards the tops of the posts.

The materials were supplied and construction of the thresholds was undertaken by Knights of Langworth.

Construction of the main threshold began on 22 nd July and the results are truly magnificent (see photos). The wood used for both thresholds is durable larch.

Over the coming months trees and climbing shrubs will be planted in and around the threshold and living willow will provide a natural trellis. As the new woodland grows, the threshold will become part of its landscape.

The Bridge construction is also completed, see pictures below..

On 24 th April 2010 , NWT organised a Presentation event at Welton Village Hall. The young people were invited to receive certificates recognising their contribution to the Challenge. Each of the three groups received a “trophy” made from ash (one of the main tree species in Monks Wood) and carved by Nettleham woodturner Len Grantham. The presentations were made by Peter Marsh on behalf of Star Energy.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

NWT thanks Star Energy Community Fund for their generous sponsorship of this exciting project which has resulted in two truly unique, beautiful and lasting thresholds into and within Monks Wood.

Thanks also to all the young people who took part in the Challenge; their imaginations led to so many exciting designs. To the judges for a very difficult job. To architect Philip Heath for translating the young peoples’ ideas into working designs. And to Knights of Langworth, for their excellent construction of the thresholds.

MONKS WOOD - DIRECTIONS

Monks Wood is a new 35 acre (14.8 ha.) community woodland, planted by local young people, families and groups in 2009. It is part of Ashing Lane Nature Reserve (owned by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust) and is open to the public at all times. Ashing Lane is a bridleway, situated east off the A46, just past the staggered junction to Dunholme and Scothern. One mile down the lane there is a small car park next to Watts Wood. From there a short walk brings you to the main threshold into Monks Wood.

Susie Mendel, Secretary, NWT

&