The emphasis has been on getting to know the wood and starting to understand how best to care for it – we are lucky to have leading experts volunteering their time and knowledge, and various groups and individuals assisting in assembling surveys. Newts, butterflies, bats, birds, reptiles and amphibians, botany, archaeology, community use, etc. – there are so many fascinating aspects that are being investigated and recorded.
Fund-raising continues, with an impressive range of plant sales, open gardens, teas, sponsored events, choral events, guided walks, photographic workshops, the Waitrose ‘Community Matters’ programme, etc. All contributors and contributions are being carefully recorded for posterity, and will feature in a planned report/booklet of the Teazle Wood story (unless anonymity has been requested). Looking back, it is incredible what has been achieved by ‘community’, in its broadest sense, working so inventively for the common good.
A great deal of work has gone into the careful planning of the charity that will look after the wood – the Teazle Wood Trust – and we look forward to launching this soon.
The litter problem is ongoing (depressing, of course, but not unexpected) – a massive thank you to all who help collect the litter, and to those involved in the Teazle Wood Entrance Enhancement Project (TWEEP), which focuses specifically on the most abused area of the wood and the Rye Brook, close to Tesco. There is still major work to do, and we remain determined to find effective long-term solutions; we hope that our work will have positive implications further afield, too.
Land adjacent to Teazle Wood (behind Tesco) has been proposed for removal from the Green Belt for development, as part of Mole Valley District Council’s Green Belt Boundary Review. We have strongly opposed the lifting of the Green Belt here, and expressed our deep concerns about dense development immediately adjoining a natural site which is already under pressure.
Tours of Teazle Wood on Heritage Open Days in September have proved very popular – Thursday (both tours) is now fully booked, and we have just a few places left at 2pm on Saturday 14th. First come, first served, so e-mail me asap if you want to book.
Tree surgery has just taken place on the beautiful big oak tree at the entrance to Teazle Wood, to remove a rotting part of the tree that we were advised was in danger of falling on to the footpath. It is fascinating learning about the care of the wood’s most monumental occupants – we are getting to know individual trees very well!
I hope you’re having a lovely summer.
All the best,
Lucy
