The New Reading Woods Group and Pound Lane Wood

Brief History of The New Reeding Woods Group and Pound Lane Wood

The New Reeding Woods Group was set up in the spring of 2003 with the intention of finding land that could be planted to provide community woodland for the residents of the Villages of Denham Horham and Athelington. Run by the community, for the community, the project would provide a resource that was sadly lacking in a rural area where most of the woodland is privately owned. The project planned to find and purchase land, financed by grants and local fund raising, grow trees from locally collected seeds, nurture them in a tree nursery at St Edmunds School, and eventually plant them in the woodland area. From the start this project was supported by the Green Light Trust.

By the autumn of 2004 land adjacent to Pound Lane between Horham and Athelington became available, and eventually enough funding was found to buy the land in trust for the three villages. Plans were then developed on the layout of the area, and a wildflower meadow and a wildlife pond were incorporated into the design. The whole area was fenced to keep it rabbit proofed, and eventually the pond was excavated, then trees were planted and the meadow area strewn with green hay from local churchyards by children and local residents. A friends group was set up, and regular working parties cut the hedges and rides, and helped to mulch the young trees. The woodland is now 5 years old, still a work in progress but a much appreciated resource, especially by local dogwalkers, as it provides an enclosed area where dogs can run free.

The New Reeding Woods group received funding from The Suffolk Environmental Trust, The Forestry Commission, The Heritage Lottery Fund, Mid Suffolk District Council and Suffolk County Council, as well as local donations. They are still looking for more land to extend the community woodland across the three villages. To Join “The Friends of Pound Lane Wood” please contact Mike Reeves on 01379 668 179