Applicant: The Woodland Trust
Location: Esh Winning, Near Durham, North East
Grant awarded: £17,000
Grant programme: Your heritage
Heritage area: Land
Benefits: Conservation and public access
Key words: Conservation/ repairs, habitat, access, mining/ coalfield heritage, community groups
Background to the project
The Woodland Trust was approached by concerned local people wanting to protect a very popular area of woodland adjacent to their village of Esh Winning. The Wood had been managed for a commercial conifer crop and there was increasingly limited public access. However, the site was very important to the local community and was once ancient woodland dating back to the Middle Ages. The Wood had been a well used amenity by local people and a nature conservation area. It is also a link to the mining history of the village. Ancient woodland is in decline throughout the country and an opportunity to restore an area to its former glory is rare and one that could not be missed.
What did the project involve?
The project involved the purchase of the wood for use by the local community and also to restore it to its former glory and re-generate the broad-leaved ancient woodland. The Woodland Trust wished to purchase the site before any further thinning took place which would further affect this ancient woodland. The Trust worked with many partners, including Durham County Council, Durham City Council and the Local Parish Council. Local people also launched a fund raising appeal in the village to support the bid for the wood and fight for the safe future for Ragpath Wood.
What difference did the project make?
The Trust’s acquisition was supported by many local people who wished to secure public access throughout the site for all time and by many who wished to see broad-leaved woodland and planning for nature conservation returned to the site. The management of the wood was discussed at local public meetings to ensure as maximum public involvement as possible. Local people were involved in woodland management and play an active role in the care of the wood acting as volunteer wardens.
The project enabled the heritage and nature conservation value of the wood to be realised. Public access was vastly improved and local people have been encouraged to become involved in woodland management leading to greater local appreciation and understanding of this ancient woodland.
How did the project meet our criteria?
The project met our criteria of conservation as it enabled the restoration of this site of ancient woodland. The project also promoted public access and local involvement enabling more people to enjoy their local countryside. The purchase costs were reasonable and the Woodland Trust have a strong track record in this area of activity. This was an excellent small project which demonstrated landscape, nature conservation and public benefit. The project grew out of the interest of local people who are involved in the management of the woodland which has enhanced the sustainability of the project.
Useful tips
The key to this project was the community engagement and management of the woods. It was important to the future of the project that the local community could engage and be committed. The community took the project on board and they felt part of what was happening.