Friends of Hagg Wood
Mid-October saw a sad day for the people of Dunnington and the surrounding area, namely the first anniversary of the locking of the gates at the main entrance into Hagg Wood, by the new landowners of the adjacent fields through which the forestry track, which has been used for decades, passes.
The two alternative entrances are approximately one mile away from the village and involve walking over rough tracks. For the elderly, the disabled, young children and parents with children in pushchairs, this has meant that Hagg Wood has been inaccessible to them for the last twelve months. It has also meant if anything more cars parked at the end of Intake Lane, as many people feel the need to drive part way in order to reduce their resultant longer walk to get into the Wood.
This last year has been a particularly difficult year for most people due to Covid and the benefits of being able to spend time in a local wood, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of Nature would have had so many benefits to people’s physical and mental health.
For the fortunate few who have been able to walk the extra distance there is so much to see at the moment with a wide variety of fungi in most areas of Hagg Wood.
The Autumn colours on the broadleaf trees are a pleasure to observe. The banks of the ditches, which have recently been cleared by the contractors, are starting to green up again. Nature wastes little time reclaiming bare earth.
Details of how to access Hagg Wood, albeit now further afield, can be found by using this link here. More information on Friends of Hagg Wood can be found on our website www.fohw.org.uk
If you have not already been in touch with us about the disruptive path blockage from Intake Lane, please do get in touch via our website https://haggwood.wordpress.com/contact/ or by writing to FHW, 5 Church Lane, Dunnington, YO19 5PT. However, even if you have contacted us in this way, you still need to fill in a User Evidence form that we can present to the Planning Inspectorate to assist our public footpath claim so please email davidmays10@gmail.com for a form so that you can play your full part in achieving a successful outcome to the forthcoming Public Inquiry.
Our Wildlife Community – Oaks
In England, oak trees have long been considered as a national symbol of strength. As timber, oak wood is prized for its resilience. Perhaps, during these troubled times, you might find it comforting to think of this when you pass one of our oaks – our favourite is the one at the junction of Intake Lane and Kerver Lane in Dunnington.
Of course, as living trees, oaks play an important role in storing carbon to help fight the Climate Crisis and, as our best tree for biodiversity, they have the tools to tackle the Ecological Emergency too.
The hospitality of oaks is enjoyed by numerous invertebrates such as very hungry caterpillars, sap-sucking bugs, silk-making spiders, ‘singing’ crickets, bark-eating beetles, glue-creating snails, wood-boring weevils, delicate aphid-eating lacewings and family-focused earwigs (the mothers are very dedicated). As a consequence, the oak provides vital food for many birds, especially during the nesting season when insect protein is important for chicks. More than 300 species of lichen and 65 species of non-flowering plants (e.g. mosses) have been recorded growing on oaks. Oaks also provide a home for various species of fungi and over 40 species of gall-forming insects.
Given that oaks can live for more than 500 years, if allowed to mature and ‘live their best life’ our oaks can do a great deal of good in our communities. So let’s look after the majestic mature oaks we are lucky enough to have among us and let’s plant some acorns so future generations can enjoy the same benefits.
Alex & Mum
2nd Tuesday Rides from Dunnington
The small group of local cyclists go out on the second Tuesday of the month leaving The Cross Keys in Dunnington at 10-30am for a bike ride of around 10 miles. Given the current restrictions, we cannot cycle in a group of more than six, but if there are more we can split into two groups. The destination for Tuesday 10th November is to be Deans Garden Centre cafe, followed by our planning meeting for next year!
However due to the ever changing situation probably best to turn up at 10.30 bringing a drink & a bite to eat and we will decide on the day where to go.
We are a group of friends who cycle at their own risk. Helmets and bright coloured jackets are recommended and please bring a spare inner tube with you in case of puncture. Please come and join us. Any queries to Margaret Eastwood 07791 599661