Map: Chillies Copse

The Copse

Chillies Copse was once an oak wood. It was cut down and replanted with confiers in the 1960s. These failed to take and now the wood is regenerating with ash and oak. Bluebells and orchids grow in the Spring. In one corner the outdoor kiln has been sited.

"Over the winter when there was little to do in the community garden we took the volunteers into woodland. We cleared ivy off trees to let more light into the woodland and coppiced a lot of hazel. Coppicing involves cutting the branches down fairly close to the ground this creates a perfect home for dormice and hope they will be attracted to live in our woodland. The hazel will also re sprout and can eventually be used for things like woodland furniture and hurdle making.  For an example of hurdle making look in the community garden where our cess pit has been safely cordoned off with hurdles (A big thank you to Nigel for doing this). The branches we cut were used to create pyramids over the stumps to protect the new growth from the deer who frequent our woodland. I love the sustainability of using wood (and other materials) in this way!" Volunteer