Wereham woodland bid takes root
A NEW community group aiming to create a new woodland marked its launch and success so far on Saturday with its first tree-planting event.
It was a sign of things to come for Wereham Wildlife Woodland (WWW) which is trying to develop an area of community-owned woodland in the village for people to use and enjoy, while providing a haven for wildlife.
Parish council chairman Roger Lankfer lent a hand at the commemorative event by cutting the turf, before members planted the field maple near the village pond.
The event came days after members Dudley (68) and Margaret (60) Pickston completed a 250-mile tandem bike ride around the Norfolk border in aid of the project.
The group, which is run by local residents, is looking for ten acres of suitable land for the woodland, and is busy fundraising and applying for grants to be able to buy it as soon as possible.
In the meantime, members have set up two nurseries to grow and stock up on the trees needed at Wereham and Wretton scout group headquarters and at Downham's Hillcrest Primary School.
They are also encouraging members of the public to help by collecting seeds from trees as they ripen in the autumn.
Seeds can be transferred to the nurseries, and those from trees such as the alder, ash, beech, maple, hawthorn, oak, poplars and willow are reasonably easy to grow.
Mr and Mrs Pickston, of Church Road, Wereham, raised around 150 from their tandem ride, which took four days to complete.
They covered the western border on the first day, cycling from Wereham to Southery and across to Terrington and Clenchwarton, before cycling home.
On the second day they cycled to Lynn and Hunstanton and round to Cromer, and the next they continued to Beccles, before taking in parts of Suffolk on their way towards Feltwell on the last day.
It was the first time the experienced riders had riden so far on a tandem, and it took them a few weeks' practice to perfect their technique.
"We wanted to do something a bit different to raise money for the woodland and it was really good," said Mr Pickston.
Anyone interested in getting involved with WWW or donating money can contact chairman Gail Koopowitz on 01366 500450 or email: koop@onetel.net
The next fundraising event in aid of the woodland is A Christmas Hall of Stalls being held at Wereham Village Hall on Tuesday, November 20, between 7pm and 9pm.
Visitors can pick up unusual gifts and crafts and tuck into a mince pie and glass of wine.
Tickets, costing 5, are available from Mrs Koopowitz on the above number, Sue Smith on 01366 501224 or Mrs Pickston on 01366 501337.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
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