30 November 2007…………...For Immediate Release

WORK PARTIES AND HOLLY TAMING

On Saturday 15^th December and Sunday 16^th December 2007 Warwickshire Wildlife Trust invites you to join in with one of our weekend work parties on various nature reserves around the county.

On Saturday 15^th December at 10.00 am:

Join the volunteer team at Snitterfield Bushes Site of Special Scientific Interest, Snitterfield, for a practical woodland work party.  Please meet at the nature reserve car park off the Bearley Road at grid reference SP200603.

On Sunday 16^th December at 9.30am:

Join the volunteer team at Brandon Marsh Site of Special Scientific Interest, near Coventry and assist in the management of this wetland nature reserve. Please meet at the car park at Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, off Brandon Lane at grid reference SP386761.

On Sunday 16^th December at 10.00am:

Join volunteer warden Jon Holmes for a practical woodland management session at Crackley Wood Local Nature Reserve, Kenilworth. Please meet at the entrance to the wood off Crackley Lane at grid reference SP289738.

Join volunteer warden Dave Solliss at Hampton Wood, Barford to work in this beautiful ancient woodland and its associated water meadows alongside the River Avon. Meet at the entrance (grid reference SP254600) on the Sherbourne to Hampton Lucy road.

Join volunteer warden Val Kendrick at Rough Hill Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest, Studley to assist in the management of this wonderful old woodland. Please meet at the car park off The Slough (the A448) at grid reference SP052637.

Join volunteer warden Mike Slater at Ryton Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest, Ryton-on-Dunsmore for a woodland management session in the largest wood in Warwickshire. Please meet at the car park, which can be accessed via an access track off the A423 near the Bull and Butcher pub at grid reference SP384726.

Join volunteer warden John Clarke to assist in the management of Temple Balsall, Balsall Common, a reserve which is mainly swamp, willow carr and damp woodland which hosts a wide variety of species of flora and fauna. Meet near the entrance to Springfield House, off the Kenilworth to Knowle Road [B4101]. GR SP203760.

On Sunday 16^th December at 10.00am:            Holly bashing at Clowes Wood

Join volunteer warden Ron Hill for this vital woodland management session at Clowes Wood and New Fallings Coppice Site of Special Scientific Interest. Please meet at the woodland entrance off Wood Lane, Earlswood at grid reference SP101743.

Events are free and full training will be given.

For each event, all you need to bring is appropriate weatherproof clothing and strong footwear.

Eddie Asbery , Reserves Woodland Project Officer at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust says, “The evergreens in our woodlands are coming into their own and none more so than the holly, with its glossy dark green spikes and vibrant red berries. It’s no wonder the holly has been a midwinter favourite for centuries, but it isn’t always popular with foresters because its sometimes rampant growth stops light reaching the forest floor – hence the holly bashing session at Clowes Wood. Taming the holly plays a crucial part in maintaining the health of the woodland, and any help you can give us will be warmly appreciated, so come and join in. All those scratches will be gained in a good cause!”

ENDS

Press contact:               Eddie Asbery on 024 7630 8984

  Last updated 28 October, 2008