3-Village Woodlands Group

COMMUNITY WOODLAND PROJECT

We have a new logo! Our thanks to children from Joanna Matthews' class at Trimley St Martin School.

On 2nd May the Steering Group agreed the title 3 Village Woodlands Group, signed an agreement with the Green Light Trust and received a grant of £300. The following oficers were appointed:–

Chairman: Stephen Harvey
Secretary: Alison Mellors
Treasurer: David Vickers
Schools Liason: Joanna Matthews

Other members of the Steering Group are: Eddie Colvill, Robert Cracknell, Susan Harvey, Paul Negus, John Pardy, Sue Parrish, James Perks, Martin Richmond-Hardy, Alison Sheeran, Les Smart.

Latest progress news

An increasing concern about the steady losses of woodland to development has led to the setting-up of the 3 Village Woodlands Group. Its object is to acquire a piece of land which will become Community Woodland accessible to the public. The group will involve all age groups: children at Trimley St. Martin School who will plant and nurture many of the trees, their teachers and parents and everyone else in the villages of Kirton, Falkenham and Trimley St. Martin who would like to be involved. This is a long term project to be handed on to future generations so the involvement of our children is crucial.
The 3 Village Woodlands Group is affiliated to the Green Light Trust which has facilitated 34 Community Woodlands in East Anglia in the last 15 years. Our thanks go to Grenville Clarke, from the trust, who has been our guide and mentor in these first months of development.
Since our first community meeting we have established an enthusiastic Steering Group who have been busy making this dream a reality. Membership of the group is now available for everyone. Download a membership application form here.
A tree nursery has been built at Trimley St Martin CP School ready for the first seeds that the children planted at the end of September. This project will be a curriculum-linked programme organised by the Steering Group’s Schools Liaison Person, Jo Matthews. There are also ongoing talks with local landowners regarding a suitable site for the woodland where only native and naturalised trees and shrubs will be planted.
Our future plans will involve exploring a possible link with Sri Lanka through Global Kinship adding a whole new dimension of interest, vibrancy and awareness to this project and its wider community. Global Kinship provides a dynamic opportunity for Trimley St Martin pupils at all Key Stages to study Citizenship and Education for Sustainable Development through mutual learning with a real-life partner.
The official launch for this project took place on Saturday 6th October at Trimley St Martin CP School and involved a tree planting ceremony. Pictures coming soon!
There will be many fund-raising events in future so please support us if you can and if you would like to volunteer your help in any way it will be most welcome, contact Alison Mellors, secretary.