The Friends of Park Wood win national Award.
Following on from the story in the last newsletter we can now
confirm the Friends of Park Wood have clinched the coveted national
award, a beautiful glass trophy and a £3,000 top prize. The
transformation of three hectare (8.5-acre) Park Wood, on the edge of
Waterlooville, near Portsmouth, was tackled by the Friends of Park
Wood with the help of the Woodland Trust, As a result, the Park Wood
volunteers were named adult group section winners of the Nationwide
Awards for Voluntary Endeavour at a glitzy presentation at Lord’s
Cricket Ground.
Friends of Park Wood chairman Jackie Buckley, paid tribute to all
who had helped work on the project.
But she added: “I was absolutely stunned when we were announced
winners because there were 10 other very worthwhile projects
shortlisted. I am still astonished and it is absolutely amazing.”
Jackie said the group was now looking at how it could celebrate the
prestigious win and was considering a celebration lunch for
volunteers at a forthcoming work day in November. She said prize
money may now go towards new equipment, a storage unit and
installing notice boards and maps at the site.
During the past five years, the site has been cleared of invasive
species to help give its ancient yews and oaks space to thrive. It
also became home to a host of rare and protected birds, insects and
plants including buzzards, finches, jays, spotted flycatchers, and
woodpeckers - even an escaped Indian mina. Conservationists have
also recorded small skipper and white admiral butterflies at the
site. The Friends of Park Wood landed a Local Heritage Initiative
grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in August 2000 and continued to
work closely with the Woodland Trust to improve site management and
install amenities, seats, interpretation boards and research its
history.
For more information about the awards please go to –
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