Northerams Wood

Ancient woodland and wildlife in Great Hollands have been given a boost thanks to a £7,500 Big Lottery Fund grant.

Bracknell Town Council supported by Bracknell Forest Council were awarded funding for the Get Next To Nature at Northerams project, which will see the revival of this ancient woodland for the benefit of wildlife and the local community.

Northerams Wood is already at the heart of the Great Hollands community after having been saved from development by local people in the 1970’s.  It supports a small wildflower meadow, a pond and a hazel coppice.  The site needed some extra care and attention to restore it to its former glory, and the grant enabled this work to be carried out during 2011/2012. The project will also encourage local people to volunteer and help out by conducting wildlife surveys, guided walks, and practical tasks such as coppicing.  New paths and an information board are also proposed as part of the restoration work.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Bracknell Forest Council's executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: "Having quality green space for leisure and recreation in our neighbourhoods is really important and so I'm pleased that the Big Lottery Fund has provided the Town and Borough Councils with a grant to improve Northeram's Wood.  "As well as improving the woodland for residents, the work will have the added benefit of providing a better habitat for wildlife too."

Cllr Chris Turrell, leader of Bracknell Town Council, said: "We welcome the opportunities provided by this successful bid.  We look forward to working with the local community in this historic piece of woodland."