History

The planting of Quarry Wood had its origins in High Bickington Project 2000, which was set up in 1999 by the Parish Council to formulate plans for the development of Little Bickington Farm and which eventually became the High Bickington Community Property Trust (CPT). A Community Woodland and Environment Group was set up and, with help from Devon County Council and South West Forest, drew up plans for establishing a community woodland. In 2004, on the formation of the CPT, the woodland group became a committee of the Trust. A 5½ acre (2.3 ha) site, Quarry Field, was leased to the CPT by the owners, Devon County Council.

Planting       

People from the community were involved in the design of the woodland and it was agreed that the planting would be carried out by the community, not contracted out. It was intended that future maintenance work would also be carried out by volunteers. Over three weekends in January 2005, 63 schoolchildren and 53 adult volunteers planted approximately 3,000 mixed deciduous trees and shrubs plus a few Scots Pine. The Forestry Commission and the Woodland Trust provided grant aid towards establishing and maintaining the wood. In 2025, the 20th anniversary of the planting is being celebrated through various events and some further trees have been planted to diversity the age structure of the wood.

Aims and Activities of the Woodland Committee

The Forestry Commission grant agreement set out the following vision for Quarry Wood:

  • A well-managed, well-used community woodland for the benefit of the residents of High Bickington and visitors to the area;
  • A mix of woodland and open space to meet the recreation, conservation and landscape needs of the area;
  • A resource for the use of the primary school and visiting groups.

The Committee adopted this vision and over the past 19 years its activities (with a bit of help from nature!) have produced a thriving, established woodland which we hope meets these aims.

Since planting, the committee’s main role has been to maintain the wood, including activities such as mowing the open spaces, surfacing some of the rides and paths, providing gates, steps and information boards – all for the benefit of users of the wood.  Coppicing of the hazel, tree pruning, hedge laying, cutting back overgrowing branches and bramble bashing are further activities which often end with refreshments around a campfire.

Future Management of the Wood

Looking to the future, the wood needs to be thinned out so that the remaining trees have space to grow to their full potential.  The sound of chain saws should not cause alarm! This is a normal management operation for a wood at this stage of development. A management plan has been prepared (and reviewed in 2024). This was needed before the Forestry Commission could issue a felling licence. Help will be needed to cut up, sort and remove the timber, smaller branches and brash. Useable items such as firewood, hazel rods, bean and pea sticks will be made available to the community.

Awards

In 2005, as part of their annual conservation awards, the Barnstaple and District Civic Society awarded the Endymion Shield to the Woodland Committee and the Junior Cashmore Cup to the school for the planting of the wood. At the Devon County Show in 2014 we were awarded an engraved glass vase for the best community woodland in the county of Devon and the Newman Perpetual Trophy as overall winners in all the woodland classes. In 2023 we won the Show’s Gold Award for best community woodland in Devon.

Fund Raising

Alongside this work is the continuing need to raise funds to cover the maintenance costs and to provide additional facilities. In the past we have provided a picnic table and barbecue in the SE corner, the car park in the SW corner, the campfire/Forest School site near the entrance from the Community Centre and a small orchard planted next to the picnic site.

In addition to an annual allowance from the Community Property Trust (on whose behalf we are maintaining the wood), grants have been received from High Bickington Parish Council and the High Bickington Community Fund, to whom we are very grateful.  More recently we have received a grant from a charitable trust and donations from local businesses.

An annual Woodland and Apple Day, first held in 2015, has become a popular community event and raises awareness of the committee’s activities as well as much-needed funds.

Other events held in recent years include wassailing, car wash, coffee and cake mornings bat and moth walks, early morning birdsong walks, and ‘Singing in the Woods’ with the High Bickington choir.



If you would like to support our work, why not join our ‘Friends of Quarry Wood’ group? We will keep you informed of what we are doing and of forthcoming social and fund-raising activities.  Please complete a registration form available at the Community Shop or from the Secretary.