On 5th October myself, Steve Ormerod Landscape Champions Project Officer, Lauren Collier, Community Support Assistant and Tegan Coupe, Volunteer Placement met with volunteers at Maypole Wood in Abram, Wigan.
Maypole Wood stands on the former colliery spoil heap of Maypole Colliery. It is managed by volunteers who lease the woodland from Wigan Council and is a fantastic variety of habitats, from open grassland, glades and woodland to an area of fen, a pond and a little brook bordering the site. Footpaths, a bridleway and rides intersect the site, making it quite accessible for those who would like to get off the beaten track, particularly as it links closely with Bickershaw Country Park and the Leeds Liverpool Canal Leigh Branch.
Our job was to help clear an area of the woodland to create a community orchard. Armed with bowsaws, loppers and with two qualified and competent chainsaw operators, we set about doing just that. The group made a massive difference! A fantastic dead hedge was also created along the edge of the soon to be orchard, to ensure horse riders from along the bridleway don’t accidentally stray into the infant orchard and also to create an attractive habitat.
The work is ongoing, with further visits planned in early December (9th and 10th) to continue the work.
For more information contact Steve at sormerod@lancswt.org.uk
