Friends of Spring Wood

Spring Wood is classed as a semi-natural ancient woodland. This means that there has been a woodland on the site from before 1600. Many woodlands from this period do not exist anymore as they were cleared to make way for agricultural land.

Spring Wood was once owned by the monks of Whalley Abbey and was originally called Oxheyewoode, which formed part of a deer park. In the 1530’s the monasteries were dissolved and all the possessions were seized by the Crown. A survey was carried out by the Crown on 29th June 1528, stating that Oxheyewoode was well plenished with timber and underwood. The underwood consisted of 'Hassel and Eller' (Hazel and Elder) which was felled once every twenty years.

On the 6th June 1553 nearly all the land that belonged to the abbey was sold by Edward VI to Richard Assheton, Esq. and John Bradyll, Gentleman for the sum of £2,132 3s 9d. This included Oxheyewoode. The woods location was described as 'one bow shot East of the Abbey'.

Over the years the wood had many owners and a name change. Despite this it's use has remained the same. It is presumed that during the 19th century rhododendron was planted to provide cover for ground game such as pheasant and woodcock.

In the 1970's the wood was bought by Lancashire County Council and developed into the picnic site that exists today. A pond was constructed by diverting three springs over the edge of a quarry working. Hard surfaced paths were also constructed to make walking easier.

About the Friends of Spring Wood

The Friends of Spring Wood is an independent, self-funding organization that was formed in 2000. The group's aims and objectives are:

1. To protect and conserve the ancient semi-natural woodland of Spring Wood.
2. Increase public awareness of issues concerning the conservation and management of semi-natural ancient woodlands through education initiatives and events.
3. Develop and encourage access to Spring Wood for minority groups such as wheelchair users.
4. Provide opportunities for the local community to assist in the management and project development through volunteering.
5. To aid and assist Lancashire Countryside Service in the management of the wood through carrying out routine maintenance tasks.

The Friends of Spring Wood initially received a grant from the Millennium Festival Awards For All Scheme that is funded by the National Lottery. This enabled the group to buy necessary tools and equipment to carry out tasks in Spring Wood.

Since the formulation of the group, many projects have been carried out ( see Project Update) as well as carrying out routine maintenance tests.

The Friends of Spring Wood meet every first Saturday of the month at 10am at Spring Wood Information Centre. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please ensure you have a packed lunch and clothing suitable for the weather conditions and the type of work being carried out.

The Friends have now achieved charitable status. This will help ensure the future for the group by opening up new opportunities for raising funds and will enable the continued maintenance of the woodland and new projects to improve facilities in the coming years. All donations, payable to 'Friends of Spring Wood'gratefully received!
(Registered Charity No: 1107473)

Volunteers Wanted

A GROUP of volunteers who help to keep one of Lancashire's best-loved places in good shape are calling for volunteers.

The Friends of Spring Wood, a registered charity, was formed in 2000 and aims to help protect and conserve the ancient semi-natural woodland of Spring Wood, near Whalley. The group helps Lancashire County Council's Countryside Service manage the wood by carrying out routine maintenance tasks and working on exciting new projects, such as wildflower meadows, hazel coppices and an easy access trail suitable for wheelchairs.

Liz Clunie from the group said: "We're all very ordinary people of all different ages and backgrounds, share a sense of humour but are very caring of our environment and don't mind getting a bit mucky.

"You'll enjoy the fresh air a few cups of tea or coffee and the tranquillity of the woods. Spring Wood is an ancient woodland and helping to improve and preserve the area is very rewarding.

"The Friends of Spring Wood meet every first Saturday of the month at 10 am at Spring Wood, near Whalley. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please ensure you have a packed lunch and clothing suitable for the weather conditions and the type of work being carried out. All we ask is that the first time you come you contact us in advance so that we can make sure someone is there to greet you."

Committee Members

• Joyce Catterall - Chair
• Michael Roast - Vice Chair
• Stephanie Davies - Secretary
• Ann Southworth - Treasurer

Spring Wood News

Access Path Gets Off The Ground. The Local Heritage Initiative (LHI) is a partnership between Heritage Lottery Fund, the Countryside Agency and the Nationwide Building Society. It is a national grant scheme that helps local groups to investigate, explain and care for their local landscape, landmarks, traditions and culture.

In August 2001 the Friends Of Spring Wood applied to the scheme for a grant to develop an area in the woodland for use by people with disabilities, which, in the past have been limited to the parts of the wood that can be visited within the constraints of the individuals ability.

The application was to design and develop a route, which would include educational interpretation boards and seating that is suitable for both disabled and able-bodied people alike.

The Friends Of Spring Wood feel that the significance of this semi-natural ancient woodland and the range of species of flora and fauna are not fully appreciated. The concept behind the project is that ALL members of the community can access the site and promote an understanding of the importance of Semi-natural ancient woodlands.

In December 2001 the Friends Of Spring Wood were notified that the application for the grant had been successful and was awarded £11,000. In order to limit damage to the wood and to protect it's inhabitants, work on the trail began in June 2002, with the help and support of contractors and Lancashire County Council's Countryside Service.The Friends of Spring Wood carried out work on the loop section and installed picnic tables and interpretation boards during work days over several weekends.

Mr. Graham Carter, a member of the Lancashire Local Access Forum, officially opened the trail on the 5th October 2002. In attendance was County Councillor Tim Ormerod, Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Rural Affairs, who said;

"The Friends Of Spring Wood really make a difference to the picnic site. Working in partnership with our own Countryside Officers, they help improve the facilities and care for the site. I am delighted that, through their efforts, we have been able to improve access to the site for disabled people by adding the Access For All Trail. The County Council is committed to improving access to the countryside right across Lancashire and, this is a welcome step towards our aims."

An information leaflet and trail guide have been published and this is available in an electronic format. If you would like a copy of the guide and leaflet please contact us using any of the methods described on this website.

• Download the latest “Friends of Springwood Spring 2008 Newsletter” - (53 kb)
• Download the Spring Wood - Access for All Trail Leaflet (1.43 Mb)

Project Update

The Arboretum

The Arboretum was completed in style with the 'planting' of the new interpretation board. This is an area that was previously overgrown with bracken which was cleared and planted with a specimen of every species of tree that is present in Spring Wood. On going maintenance of the area includes prevention of bracken re-growth in a environmentally friendly manner.

The Visitor Centre

New, comfortable bench seats have been installed. A new notice board especially for the Friends of Spring Wood has been included into the centres decor. This includes a wood header board that was kindly donated by Gale Harmsworth, the ice cream vendor on site and the source of all our ice-creamy goodness!

The Hazel Coppices

The concept behind the project was to clear several areas of scrub sycamore and replace them with hazel coppices, which will be harvested on a rotation system producing a viable source of material for many different uses. Work began in November 2001 and they have establish themselves. The coppice around the pond site is the most recent to be created, making a total of five around the woods. The long term plan is for the Friends to be able to harvest their own for the building of, for example, hurdles that can be used to fence off areas in need of protection from erosion or to allow regeneration of sections of the woods.

The Pond

The pond at Spring Wood had silted up over recent years and the surrounding woodland had encroached to block the light. Work to restore the pond began in October 2003.

A small area of trees on the south side was felled and the silt was deposited there and the area fenced off. A new drainage system and silt traps was installed along with new fencing around the pond and the surrounding paths and steps were improved to give better access. Lancashire County Council's Countryside Service carried out the major works and the Friends of Spring Wood have planted up the silted area and in the coming months will stock the pond with some native plants. The response from the regular visitors has been very encouraging, all agreeing that is has been a tremendous improvement and of course a benefit to the wildlife.

The Willow Bird Hide

A willow bird hide has been located on the access trail alongside a picnic table and will allow visitors restricted to wheelchairs and young children to view without disturbance the woodland birds and mammals. The Friends have also built bird feeding stations and boxes that can be viewed from the hide. Honeysuckle has also been planted alongside the hide in the hope that it will create a more natural camouflage and hazel hurdles have been installed to screen sections of the path.

The Willow Classroom

The outdoor "classroom" located at the woodland edge is complete. An access path and surfacing inside the classroom was carried out. But the very wet summer led to the access path being washed away and it is planned to redo this work soon.

Ancient Tree Survey

The Friends were given training by David Brackley, Lancashire County Council's Forestry Officer, so that they are able to carry out an ancient tree survey.  The project has been ongoing and the information will be recorded and will help to increase our knowledge of the species of trees that are in the wood and assist with future management.

Awards for All Grant

The Friends have been awarded a grant of £1872 from the Awards for All scheme, which is funded by the National Lottery, for the purchase of additional tools and to cover volunteer expenses mainly for the work on the wildflower areas.

Adopt a School

The Friends have adopted a local school - Barrow Primary in Old Row, Barrow, Clitheroe. We will be supporting the school in carrying out conservation tasks and helping them in their nature area in the school grounds.

Friends of Spring Wood Next Open Day - 25th April 2009.

All Welcome - come for a walk in the woods, make a bird or bat box or join the Friends on their projects. Tramper vehicles will be available for mobility-impaired visitors.

Contact us

There are three ways that you can contact the Friends of Spring Wood:

• The Friends of Spring Wood,
  Spring Wood Picnic Site,
  Accrington Road,
  Whalley,
  Lancashire.
  BB7 9TD
• (01254) 825187
• info@friendsofspringwood.org

The Constitution Of The Friends Of Spring Wood

1. The organization shall be called The Friends Of Spring Wood.
   
2. The object of the group is to support the work of the Lancashire Countryside Service in developing the Spring Wood Picnic Site and surrounding area for use by the public. This will be achieved by undertaking conservation work, carrying out surveys, educating the public in environmental issues and providing facilities and events for the public.
3. The Friends Of Spring Wood shall be run by a committee of no less than four people. The committee shall consist of Chair, Vice-chair, Secretary and Treasurer and other committee members. These positions shall be elected annually at the AGM to be held in September. The quorum for any meeting shall be four.
4. Membership to the group is open to anyone who has an interest in furthering the objects of the group. There will be no charge for membership. A member may terminate his/her membership at any time by contacting the Secretary. The committee may decide by majority vote to terminate the membership of anyone acting contrary to the objects of the group.
5. The financial year shall end on June 30th and it is the responsibility of the Treasurer to keep detailed record of any transactions and to present the accounts at the AGM.
6. The group shall have a bank account in the name of The Friends Of Spring Wood and two signatures are required on each cheque issued. The income of The Friends Of Spring Wood shall be applied solely in furthering the objects of the group. No member shall benefit financially, other than reasonable remuneration for any costs incurred while undertaking work for the group.
7. An EGM may be called at any time as long as 14 days notice is given to all members.
8. In the event of the group dissolving any remaining assets, after all debts and liabilities have been accounted for, shall be given to another non-profit making organization with similar objects.

   Adopted on 01/06/2001 by;
   B. Faud - Chair
   P. Shoreman - Vice Chair
   S. Davies - Secretary
   J. Catterall - Treasurer

Registered Charity No.1107473