West Wickham Commons Newsletter – November 2018

November 2018

Welcome to the West Wickham Commons Newsletter covering West Wickham Common and Spring Park.

16 years of coppicing

This month will see the final area (coop) of sweet chestnut coppicing alongside Woodland Way at Spring Park. This mammoth project, which began in 2002, has brought much of the neglected chestnut into the rotation along our entire road boundary. Trees of other species, such as birch, cherry and rowan have thrived in the newly created sunlit glades and the coppiced chestnuts have put on significant new growth, reaching more than six feet high in their first summer after cutting. Their improved vigour has also helped to slow the spread of phytophthora – a fungal infection which had started to kill some of the trees.
This year’s coop is located at the far end of Woodland Way, where the road becomes Inchwood. A screen of oak and pine will be left along the roadside. Minor paths which run through the centre of the coop will be closed whilst felling operations take place. Please keep clear of the area during this time.
…and next winter? The sixteen year rotation starts all over again…

Woodland glade creation

The West Wickham Common & Spring Park volunteers, affectionately known as the WWaSP’s, got their winter work programme off to a great start in October. Two days were spent clearing holly and small trees to create a woodland glade on West Wickham Common. With the wind coming from the north and bright blue skies the volunteers worked hard to keep warm and managed to clear a surprisingly sizeable area of the dense holly. Look out for speckled-wood butterflies enjoying the new glade next spring.

Hedgehog spotted at Spring Park

On a very early morning in October our ranger spotted a hedgehog foraging along the grass verge at Spring Park. This is very exciting news as it is the first official record of a hedgehog at Spring Park. Hedgehogs are struggling, and their numbers have fallen below one million in the UK. In the last 10 years their population declined by 30%. The ranger team will start monitoring hedgehogs at Spring Park to get a better understanding for the local population. We will start the hedgehog survey next spring and will let you know closer to time how you can get involved.

Visitor survey

We are carrying out a visitor feedback survey to help us understand what our visitors think about their visit(s) to the Commons. There is a simple online form that you can fill in. It shouldn`t take more than a couple of minutes to complete and we will use the information you give to make improvements wherever possible, for the benefit of visitors and wildlife.

Events

Wreath making
Saturday 22 December 2018, 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm
Meet at the office at Spring Park (BR4 9BF)
Suggested donation: £10 per wreath
Get into the festive spirit at our Christmas wreath making workshop.Give your home some festive flair with a beautiful bespoke wreath. We will provide all materials and refreshments.
Booking essential – please book your ticket via Eventbrite or give us a ring 01372 279083.

Volunteering

WWaSP volunteers
Thursday 29 November & Friday 30 November 2018, 10am-3pm
Meet at Spring Park Office
Hazel coppicing

For further information:
Tel: 01372 279083