Wiltshire village gets thrify with firewood

7:40am Saturday 25th October 2008

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With ever increasing fuel prices and as winter draws in, the annual decision to put the heating on has been even harder this year. In Urchfont, however, it has been made a lot easier.

A new project has been set up by The Friends of Oakfrith Wood to manage the Wiltshire County Council-owned woods and provide firewood to the local community. A number of the local volunteers have been trained in woodland management techniques, including tree felling, and they are now able to provide firewood to the local community by carrying out essential thinning of the wood themselves.

In the past, tree felling was carried out by contractors who were in the wood for just a couple of weeks, used big machines and sent large loads of timber off on big timber lorries all over the country.

Now the Oakfrith Working Woodland Co-operative (OWWCoop) works over the winter months, and produces firewood which is sold locally and is delivered by van and trailer. The thinning of the wood is a necessary part of a sustainable system of management, and it is being carried out carefully to ensure there is minimal disruption of the woodland environment. By utilising the timber locally as firewood, not only are people using a renewable resource, but everyone benefits from the fact big lorries aren’t delivering large amounts of timber around the country’s roads.

OWWCoop will be formally launched on Saturday, November 8, when Wiltshire County Council cabinet member for environment, transport and economic development, Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, will present the members with a brand new chainsaw. As well as the presentation, there will be a breakfast BBQ, hot drinks and a walk in the woods to see the work that is being carried out. The formal presentation will take place at 9.30am.

Fleur de Rhe-Philipe said: "I am pleased we are able to support this worthwhile project which is helping local people to keep a beautiful piece of local woodland in great condition for future generations to enjoy."

Since their formation in 1994, The Friends of Oakfrith Wood have cared for the wood, the aim being to promote long term sensitive woodland management and to restore the ancient character of the wood, whilst encouraging the understanding of sound woodland management. They work closely with staff from the countryside team at Wiltshire County Council and the wood is managed to a plan approved by the Forestry Commission. The project has been supported by Natural England and in 2004 the wood was designated a Local Nature Reserve. Support for the project is also given by Kennet District Council and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

Steve Russell, countryside manager at Wiltshire County Council, said: "This project is a great example of a community woodland - the wood is open to the public, it provides a haven for wildlife, it produces sustainable timber that is used locally as firewood, and it is all done for the local community by the local community. This is a pioneering partnership project with which the county council is pleased to be a partner."

The Friends of Oakfrith Wood have been carrying out general habitat management and maintenance work in the wood since 1994, and promoted the successful Millennium wood planting back in 2000 where local people raised funds to plant nearly 1,000 trees. The group meets on the first Saturday of every month to carry out tasks such as coppicing, path clearing, tree planting, litter picking and monitoring nest boxes.

Anyone interested in joining The Friends of Oakfrith Wood, should contact Peter Newell on 01380 840317.

For further details of the wood fuel initiative launch, please contact Steve Russell on 01225 713425 or steverussell@wiltshire.gov.uk.