Review of charitable objectives
BeginningsFounded in 2006, the Nettleham Woodland Trust was formed with the long-term objective of providing the people of Nettleham and the neighbouring villages with a much-needed amenity for recreational purposes, including walking, bird watching, horse riding, cycling and education and at the same time encouraging a greater diversity and richer variety of wildlife in the local environment.
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Why is it necessary?
There are already a number of public footpaths radiating out from the village, but the intensively agricultural nature of the surrounding countryside means that there are actually very few areas close to the village where people are free to wander and picnic and where children can play freely and safely. In recent years, there has been a steady decline in many of our native wildlife species and, in addition to providing a new leisure amenity for the community, new habitats would be created which would encourage a greater variety of wildlife into the local area mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, trees, shrubs, wildflowers and insects. |
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When will it happen?
Over the coming years, the intention is to gradually acquire small areas of land, by purchasing or leasing on behalf of the Nettleham Woodland Trust, for the purpose of planting community woodland, creating wildflower meadows and ponds and other attractive natural habitats around the village. It will be an investment for the future - the children and grandchildren of those who already live here and also for future generations of newcomers to the area. |
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NWT celebrates ten years
The first meeting of the Nettleham Woodland Trust was, remarkably, over ten years ago, with a gathering of five interested people on 20th September 2006. This coming anniversary was a good excuse for a party, if one was needed, albeit three weeks early to tie in with individual availability, Bank Holiday Monday and fortuitously glorious summer weather. Trustees, committee members, supporters, friends, families and a few well behaved hounds gathered in one of the glades in the South Wood to enjoy sandwiches and home-made cake, toast the successes of NWT, reminisce on the last decade and consider the next one. The background of trees planted in February 2009 was most apt.
The first meeting of the Nettleham Woodland Trust was, remarkably, over ten years ago, with a gathering of five interested people on 20th September 2006. This coming anniversary was a good excuse for a party, if one was needed, albeit three weeks early to tie in with individual availability, Bank Holiday Monday and fortuitously glorious summer weather. Trustees, committee members, supporters, friends, families and a few well behaved hounds gathered in one of the glades in the South Wood to enjoy sandwiches and home-made cake, toast the successes of NWT, reminisce on the last decade and consider the next one. The background of trees planted in February 2009 was most apt.
The Chairman reminded everyone of some of the highlights as well as the initial difficulties in finding anyone who would provide this fledgling organisation with any land, After a fallow first year, the projects came thick and fast with flagship moments such as PC Wood in 2008 with 200+ villagers, Monks Wood in 2009 including Tree O’Clock with 2566 trees planted in one hour, digging Coop Lake in 2012, developing Bishops Meadow from 2013 and unveiling the Book of Oaks stone in 2015. He thanked all present and some absent friends for their support in so many forms and hoped that more volunteers would come forward in the years ahead to take these projects onward. Guests then took the opportunity to visit particular points of interest in what we are now able to call the Ashing Lane Nature Reserve. It was a happy afternoon. Thank you all, especially to the catering department for plenty of good food and drink. You know who you were!