Land Project: the Story so Far
January 1st, 2007 by Administrator
Some Good News, and a Job for All in the Spring!
At the USRA Extraordinary General Meeting in October 2005, USRA’s acquisition from David Wilson Homes of about 12 acres of land at the back of the estate – two areas across the back service road situated either side of the Bowling and Tennis Clubs – was announced. Following that meeting, a year ago, an USRA land group was formed to plan the development of the land. Expert advice was taken, generating recommendations that a nature reserve-style development – comprising native woodland and wildflower meadow – would be most appropriate, and would complement the established parkland areas that already exist around Upper Saxondale. A specific plan was produced by the Wildlife Trust, and presented at both the USRA AGM at the Clubhouse in May, and at a special additional meeting (only about the land) at the Sanctuary in July, both of which were well attended by many interested people. The plan was very well received on both occasions, with both meetings emphatically mandating the group to proceed logically to explore the funding and implementation of the plan.
In August, in collaboration with a local forestry expert, a bid for woodland development funding was made to the Forestry Commission’s English Woodland Grant Scheme. In October, we heard the great news that this bid – worth over £8,000 and our first attempt to secure some significant funding – had been successful! The contract for the work is now being finalised, covering initial planting of 3,000 trees and subsequent management for a five-year period. The initial planting should be done in March – prospectively a major milestone for the whole USRA nature reserve project.
Baby trees must be protected by tree guards; hungry wild rabbits live around here! As fitting a tree guard – it has to be done by hand – costs noticeably more than planting a tree – done by machine – the plan is that we (the residents of Upper Saxondale) will provide volunteer labour to fit all the tree guards - thus stretching the woodland grant as far as possible – whatever the weather!! Nearer the time, a flyer will be distributed providing details about exactly when/where/how – everyone/entire families welcome and no forestry experience whatsoever needed!!! This will be a great opportunity for lots of people to ‘do their bit’ to help this major project to enhance Upper Saxondale. The woodland is only part of the planned development of our 12 acres; developing some of the land into proper wildflower meadow and, ideally, having a proper allweather path around the larger area – to maximise accessibility for all – are two further major elements of the project which will require significant funding, for which sources are currently being researched.