Member Article

Pioneering North Yorkshire wood-meadow gets £15,000 grant

The pioneering Three Hagges Wood-Meadow near Escrick, between York and Selby, has received a £15,000 grant from North Yorkshire County Council Trust to help to build a dedicated team of volunteers.

The grant comes from the Stronger Communities initiative of the county council and has enabled the recruitment of a dedicated Volunteer Co-ordinator for the wood-meadow.

Rosalind Forbes Adam, the chair of the Hagge Woods Trust, commented: “We are incredibly grateful to the county council for this generous grant, which will be spread over three years.

As a result, we have been able to appoint Dr Kat Wotherspoon to lead our volunteer team, manage the wood-meadow and recruit new volunteers from the York and Selby area.

“Kat has a great deal of expertise in volunteer work and meadow management, having long been associated with the Floodplain Meadows Partnership. She is also organising the Floodplain Meadows conference at the Railway Museum in May this year.”

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council’s Stronger Communities programme explained that the grant would be providing £15,000 towards developing and supporting volunteer involvement in Three Hagges Wood-Meadow.

He said: “This includes supporting provision of a hut where volunteers can get together to chat and have a warm drink as well as a training space where they can develop their knowledge of ecology to equip them to guide visitors round the wood-meadow.

“In providing this financial support Stronger Communities recognises the positive volunteering opportunities the project offers and the benefits to health which people enjoying outdoor green spaces experience. The project was also commended for its efforts to make the outdoors accessible to disabled people”.

Dr Wotherspoon added: “I’m delighted to be joining the team at Three Hagges Wood -Meadow and am looking forward to working with the volunteers to continue the wonderful work that has already been achieved to enhance the biodiversity of the meadow. If you are interested in joining our friendly team as a volunteer please don’t hesitate to get in touch: volunteer@haggewoodstrust.org.uk”

The Hagge Woods Trust has a programme of work and courses planned for the coming seasons, from this month through to October, including a Discovery Day on Saturday 1st July from 1-4pm. This is a chance to explore the wood-meadow with family and friends and discover the wood-meadow’s native plants and wildlife.

Rosalind Forbes Adam said: “We hope that families from villages in the York and Selby area will come along and take part in the activities, wander through the meadow and enjoy a picnic. The meadow will be blooming with wild flowers and alive with bugs and butterflies to appreciate.

“The Discovery Day this year is generously supported by Persimmon Homes and activities will include willow crafting, bug hunting, face painting, live music, examining owl pellets, bug hunting; wildflower trails, examining owl pellets, making your own wicker bird-feeder, face painting, live music and homemade teas and cakes. Entry is free for children and £3 for adults. There is plenty of free parking.

“We are easy to find. Just take the Hollicarrs turn off the A19 between Riccall and Escrick and follow the signs. For more details, please check out our website at www.haggewoodstrust.org.uk.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .