What a lovely walk

Author - Paul Thomas via Facebook

A tale of two meetings.

Yesterday evening 12 people wrapped up against the damp for a short walk in Finings Wood without our guest Nick Marriner from the CCB who is unwell.

The calm benefit of being in a woodland is immediately apparent when stepping away from a busy main road and into the cover. But here, the small trees are densely packed with little sign of undergrowth, fallen trees have been left to lean and eventually fall to the ground. It`s a bit sad really if you imagine it could be a more open woodland with higher light levels that would encourage the understory of woodland plants and flowers. This corner of Finings is the closest to Lane End and has had no management for a long time, not even thinning for firewood.

We discussed several ideas about how these 3-4 acres might become a village asset, leaving the rest of Finings to be the lovely Ancient Woodland that it is. Thanks to all who came out to support and add to the ideas on a cool, wet Autumn evening.
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Dr Tim Harrison picked up a leaflet in the woods last week and made contact to get involved both verbally and financially, so we arranged a Sunday walk. His knowledge of the geology, trees and plants in Finings is astonishing and gives a real insight into how and why the nature thrives. He has been recording plants in Finings for the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland since 2005 so knows it very well. Thankyou Tim (centre in photo) and I hope to walk with you again with a larger group soon.