A new link revealed today from someone from the Ramblers; creativity from Sherwood Forest (thanks for the publicity!) http://sherwoodforestvisitor.com/sherwood-forest-creativity/
Terri from the Core Centre, Calverton writes;
"Fantastic news for CORE (Calverton Oasis Resources and Education). The Big Lottery have awarded them an extended year's funding in addition to the year which remains of their current 5-year funding, and a further grant of £10,000 has been awarded to help CORE implement changes identified during recent research in partnership with Nottingham University. The CORE Centre was founded to tackle the immediate problems of unemployment following the mining closures in 1993 (see Dave Wood's poem dedicated to CORE) and has evolved with the times to become a place to learn skills for work, do research, enjoy leisure activities, have support in looking for jobs, and benefit from advice (CAB every Monday) and information available there."
From The Core Centre, Calverton (on the Perambulation Route)
Well, you could say that CORE (Calverton Oasis Resources & Education) is a vibrant, welcoming community centre in the heart of Calverton offering computer access, Work Club twice a week, office services, Citizens' Advice Bureau and a variety of vocational and non-vocational courses. Recent tasters have included Memoir Writing and Forensic Science which were both hugely successful, with requests for longer courses. Handmade card craft is extremely popular with two two-hour classes per week year round.
CORE began about 15 years ago in the wake of the mine closures and has been developing and evolving ever since, keeping to their original purpose by supporting the community of Calverton and surrounding areas to find work, retraining if necessary. With 1.5 staff members, a dedicated board of trustees and about 15 volunteers, The CORE Centre is open to the public Monday to Thursday, 9.00 am to 3.45 pm and welcomes centre users from Calverton, Arnold, Southwell, Woodborough, Gonalston, Epperstone, Oxton, Woodthorpe, Lambley, Lowdham and even further afield. www.calvertoncore.org.uk.
Saturday 5th November was a very special day both for Dave Wood and for our group ‘The Friends of the Hook’. No fireworks during this celebration! A crowd of about 20 people gathered to plant a sapling of the major oak to mark the completion of Dave Woods’ perambulation of the ancient boundary of Sherwood Forest. Amongst the crowd gathered were the mayor of Stapelford Ray Derby, Richard and Sue Mallender, our local Green councillors three people from the Woodland trust dressed in their usual attire as well as members from the friends committee.
As you can see from the picture above Dave addressing the gathering all listening intently to his words of wisdom.
The photo above shows the mayor of Stapleford Ray Derby completing the planting of what we now affectionately call mini major oak kindly donated by the Sherwood Forest Trust. This marks the end of Daves perambulation.
Further work has been progressing on the Hook and a bench has been renovated and literally planted to commemorate a founder member of ‘Friends of the Hook’ who died of motor neuron disease in 2010. It has been a long process as we had to seek permission from Rushcliffe Borough Councils planning department. We have simply called this Miches’ bench. It overlooks what will be our wild flower meadow as Miche was very keen on flora and could identify many species. A picture of the bench is shown below.
Future Work will include the establishment of a dipping pond, the extension to our community orchard as well as the establishment of a wild flower meadow. Work will be completed in conjunction with Nottingham Wildlife Trust to whom we are grateful for help and advice.
The following two articles were published in the Topper Newspaper. I am grateful to them and the author, Frank Earp for allowing me to re-publish here.
Anne (Burton Joyce)
Combs Wood, Farnsfield, 26th October.
I entertained the Stapleford Poet Dave Wood on a wet windy night camping. We gazed as one does into the fire, we drank, ate lentils. Dave Kolebuk and I felled a couple of Scots pine to inspire a sonnet (and start the 2012-13 log pile) Buzz Currency by name.
My abiding memories are rain and mist, and the vicarious pleasure of showing another soul the ancient Small leaved Limes up and down Greaves Lane.
Combs Wood is a PAWS, plantation on an ancient woodland site: in broad terms our management is to return it to the situation prior 1960’s when the FC acquired the lease and planted Oak, Scots and Sycamore. Inevitably high forest will predominate over coppice though.
Edmund Hopkins, Nottingham
TWO ENJOYABLE DAYS WITH DAVE WOOD ON HIS
SHERWOOD FOREST PERAMBULATIONS
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We along with members of the ACCESS Group (Annesley Community Committed to Sustainable Settlements) thoroughly enjoyed accompanying Dave and other members of the public on the section of walk from Linby Cross to Annesley Church on Monday 27th August 2011. Although many of us have lived in this area all our lives for most people on the walk this was a new experience.
We followed the old Central Railway line (closed by Beeching in the 60’s) and then used by Linby Colliery to transport dirt along a conveyor to empty on the Newstead and Annesley dirt tip until 1988. The local people call this the “Linby Trail” or more frequently “The Yellow Brick Road”.
Locals on the walk and familiar with the area gave information on the history of certain places along the way which combined with Dave’s poems and readings added to our enjoyment and knowledge. We stopped for a picnic lunch along the route, in a section that used to be the railway sidings for Newstead Colliery. It is now a beautiful, thriving nature area. Whilst we had lunch Bob Collier and Alan Wood told us more about the history of Newstead Colliery and various poems were read relating to mining. It was wonderful to be out in the fresh air and to see the transformation of the old Newstead pit tips. They our now a flourishing nature reserve, with circular footpath routes. All this was within the boundaries of Sherwood Forest. It seems impossible that all the trees, bushes and grasses, flowers etc. have matured since the pit closed in 1987. On entering the outskirts of Newstead Village we passed the new Newstead & Annesley Country Park, (this Park was televised last week on the programme “Village SOS”), and a warden who had worked on the project gave us an insight into the amount of work etc. that locals had done voluntarily in order to create this Country Park, consisting of fishing lakes, wild life and natural lakes and a visitors centre made partly of old car tyres. A wonderful achievement. Our walk continued through Newstead Village passing the old pit houses built in the 1880’s and the old coal fired fish and chip shop was pointed out to us on the way. The last part of the walk took us along the outskirts of Annesley Forest, passed the old Annesley Colliery site, now being developed into a large housing estate, up Annesley Cutting and to our final destination Annesley All Saints Church. We all agreed that this had been a very interesting and enjoyable afternoon’s walk and that Dave’s perambulations were an inspiration to us to learn more about our local history and community
Many thanks to Dave for a wonderful Bank Holiday outing and the best of luck to him for the rest of his walk. We would recommend anyone reading this blog to join Dave on his walk as he not just retracing a historical walk but creating another chapter in the history of Sherwood Forest.
Day 2 - We attended Dave’s Creative Writing Workshop at the Acacia Community Centre, Annesley Woodhouse. This was a very different experience for all of us that took part. Many had never written a poem, or ever thought about writing one, but we all managed to create what we believe to be a personal insight into our thoughts and beliefs. Dave made us believe that we could all write poetry if we tried, we did try very hard, and although it had a serious side we did laugh at some of our efforts, but all of us were able to come up with something that hopefully he will be able to use on the blog.
Dave’s perambulation of Sherwood Forest inspired members of ACCESS to organise their own “perambulation” of Annesley and after the Creative Writing Workshop we were accompanied by Dave, members of the Woodland Trust and local residents interested in the history of Annesley. We would never have done this walk without Dave’s help and enthusiasm for his project. We are sure Dave enjoyed our walk too and was very interested in our local history - Lord Byron etc. We ended the second day with a social night and quiz at the Forest Tavern, a wonderful two days.
On behalf of ACCESS and the local Annesley Community we wish Dave all the best, hope the blisters keep away and look forward to meeting him again in the near future.
Bob & Julia Collier
Article from ACCESS in Annesley
Annesley Woodhouse residents fight to prevent woodland being developed as soak-away.
Annesley residents have for approximately ten years been fighting the advances of Taylor Wimpey to replace a flower rich hay meadow (used exclusively by a local tenant to graze her horse for 30 plus years) with a high density development on the edge of the village and bordering Little Oak plantation.
The development consists of 97 houses accessed by a single road, onto an existing over capacity highway system, is not in-keeping with local residential development. The development is high density and in places 3 storey constructed dominating and overbearing in the locality. Not only this it is placed next to wooded areas which exist as a wildlife corridor and support many species of amber listed plants and birds.
The application consists of two parts, that concerning the residential development V/2011/0096, http://www.ashfield-dc.gov.uk/cfusion/planning/plan_history.cfm?reference=V%2F2011%2F0096
and another the drainage solution to it. The drainage solution was planned to be achieved by connecting into an existing soakaway adjoining Derby Road. The intervention of local residents observations correctly rebuffing the design as unsuitable because of flooding problems, have caused it to be withdrawn and replaced by another application V/2011/0437. http://www.ashfield-dc.gov.uk/cfusion/planning/plan_history.cfm?reference=V%2F2011%2F0437
This application, rather than attempt to find an outfall for the development now seeks a underground soakaway of approximately 700m2 by 2m deep being placed in the adjoining wood. The developer claims that this area of wood apparently falls into a “cultivated” category. Our research shows that this area of woodland was partly replanted in the 1940’s by Prisoners of war, and was in 1822 called “Little Oak Wood”, the area being forest continuously between those dates.
The wood and field supports over 74 species of birds which include at least 23 amber and red listed species. The wood supports many species of indicative ancient plant, - wood sorrel, massive carpet of bluebells, dog mercury, solomans seal, native honeysuckle, holly, aspen and witch elm. The definition of ancient woodland indicator species is that the plants are slow growing and take an extremely long time to establish themselves. Other species found throughout the wood include large numbers of lesser celandines, red and white campion, foxgloves, violets and wild strawberries (which are an indicators in some areas – not sure about here). The pine trees may have been planted as a commercial crop but they replaced mature oaks and possibly other useful native trees. A wood can still be classified as ancient if it has been continually planted with trees since 1600, it doesn’t matter if the trees have been felled and replaced so a lack of ancient specimen trees doesn’t necessarily mean woodland can’t be ancient. The native flora in this wood would indicate its ancient origins
- and we believe that this wood, especially since it was called Oak Wood in 1822, must have existed for at least 200 years to have enjoyed that title, bringing it to at least 1622. Alas we can see no maps of any description for this area prior to 1822, not even Dave’s map of Sherwood Forest from 1622 [Dave is using the 1662 directions]; that portion being missing.
If this solution to the development is allowed to come to fruition, we see a large part of the remaining area becoming water logged and the remaining trees perishing by this.
We welcome you on Dave’s walk on Monday 29th August and also our walk on Tuesday 30th August on which we will be accompanied by members of the Woodland Trust and local historian, Dick Star who will give a talk on Annesley.
We are following this by a Quiz at the Forest Tavern Annesley at 8.00pm on Tuesday night also. Just let Russell know you are coming so we can cater for the correct numbers.
If you wish for any information on our walk or indeed can support us in resisting this development – please contact: russell.lathall@talktalk.net
Subject: V/2011/0437 -PLanning application to use part of Little Oak PLanation as a "Soak-away" for V/2011/0096
Dear All,
I have today received notification of Planning application V/2011/0437, which calls for part of Little Oak Plantation formally known in 1822 as” Little Oak Wood” to be used as a soakaway for the residential development. Whilst we still have to read and digest the vast amount of information that Taylor Wimpey’s have supplied, I feel that it is deplorable that Wimpey’s have decided not to situate this on the residential development land and have in fact, decided to site it on what we believe to be part of Sherwood Forest which has existed since time immemorial. Not only will a large expanse of ancient native woodland be removed but a complete change of the landscape and local forest area will ensue, due to the vast amount of water logging which will occur. Our local heritage will be lost forever, as well as destroying a vital wildlife corridor and ruining the continuous cover silvicultural system of this area as envisaged when the lease was given by the Musters family to the Forestry Commission.
I urge you not only to object about this development, which we have been objecting to for approximately 10 years, but to support us in the local walks to be held on Monday 29th August – Dave Woods “Perambulations of Sherwood Forest”, and our own walk on Tuesday 30th August which will look at our local history and our outstanding natural heritage.
We look forward to your support and if a friend or anyone you have passed this information to requires to be placed on our regular e-mail list, or receive further information on the walks and Dave Woods Creative workshop which will be held on 30th August at Acacia Community Centre, please e-mail:
Yours sincerely
Peter Olko
ACCESS – Annesley Community Committed to Ensuring Sustainable Settlements
The Creative Perambulations of Sherwood Forest
is grateful for funding from the National Lottery/Arts Council England
Dave is also grateful to the following people and/or organsiations for helping him achieve his goals so far and/or then beyond!).
Stapleford Town Council
Sharon and Kurt Bosworth
Bill Drummond
Emma Fawcett
Sherwood Forest Trust
The Nottingham Evening Post
Gill Grievson Greenwood & Conservation Projects Officer, Greenwood Partnership
The Woodland Trust
The Hook Nature Reserve
Liberalengland.blogspot.com
Writing East Midlands
Washarts
Experience Nottinghamshire
Hilary Imrie Smith
Various departments at Nottingham City and County Council
BTCV
Chris Kennedy
The Forestry Commission
Friends of Moor Pond Wood
Notts Wildlife Trust
Nottinghamshire Archives
Sheelagh Gallagher
Burton Joyce and Bulcote Local History Society
Various people in Annesely
Friends of Bestwood Country Park
Friends of Victoria Embankment
Heather Smith
Friends of Bestwood Country Park
If you would like to contribute to the blog in any way, please let me know on davewrite2002[at]yahoo.com
See recent posting on blog (Liberal England) hosting article by Dave Wood.
Also...
d.h.m. edwaldston says
CONFESSIONS OF A TREE HUGGER: 11.04.11.
I’VE JUST LISTENED AGAIN TO ‘OPEN COUNTRY’ ON THE BEEB HAVING BEEN MUCH CONFUSED BY LAST SATURDAYS BROADCAST, AS I TEND TO BE NOW AT 6.07AM IN THE MORNING!
RICHARD URIDGE ET AL WERE TALKING ABOUT THYNGHOWE, THE STANDING STONES OF HANGER HILL, ANCIENT OAKS IN CLIPSTONE OLD QUARTER, SWEET CHESTNUT USED FOR FURNITURE MAKING AND WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT THE RE-DISCOVERY OF HAZEL POT BEETLES AND EVERYTHING ELSE FROM THE VIKING ERA TO THE PRESENT DAY TO BE FOUND IN THE BIRKLANDS AREA OF SHERWOOD FOREST AND BEYOND…PHEW!
I CAN’T WAIT FOR DAVE TO GET STARTED ON HIS PERAMBULATION.
