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.

How the Community Woodland Committee started life and evolved into its present form

Potted timeline of the early years, with the people who have guided the committee. The following list gives a summary of the beginnings of Quarry Wood, with the committee Chairs that have helped shape it over its 20 years.

2000                   

High Bickington Project 2000 set up in response to Devon County Council’s offer to work with the parish to jointly develop 20 acres of land at Little Bickington to meet local community needs. Chaired by David Brown.

2001                   

Land Use and Environment Team appointed, including Barry Checksfield and David Venner from Project 2000), Andy Bell (DCC North Devon Coast and Countryside Service) and John Hayward (DWT Community Biodiversity Officer)

2001-2               

Parish Appraisal of community needsand Consultations on plans for Little Bickington Farm – showed support for the creation of wildlife areas, tree planting and providing access to nature, as well as affordable housing, workspace, new school, health, community and sports facilities.

January 2003          

Landscape and Wildlife Group – one of five advisory groups – formed to help a team of professionals prepare and consult on an outline planning application. Members included Jeff Adams, Barry Checksfield, David Venner and Jim White.

May 2003        

Landscape Assessment carried out by Landscape and Wildlife group, based on surveys by Jeff, Barry and David, recommended establishment of a community woodland and linking it to existing network of hedges and proposed new planting.

January 2004          

Landscape and Wildlife group became Community Woodland and Environment Group, Chair: Barry; Secretary: David

May 2004        

Grant applications submitted for woodland planting: £7,500 from Forestry Commission, £2,000 from Woodland Trust.

July 2004         

Community Property Trust set up, replacing HB Project 2000. David was appointed Project Coordinator and Administrator (full time for first two years, part time for next five years)

September 2004       

Community Woodland and Environment Group became Community Woodland Committee (one of six committees of the CPT) and worked up plans for the planting of the wood

Jan 2005          

Quarry Wood planted by 55 adults and 65 school children over three weekends

2005-2025     

Community Woodland Committee has continued to meet to obtain funding, plan and carry out maintenance, make improvements and organise events in the wood.

2014 & 2023  

Awarded prizes for best community woodland at Devon County Show

Chair                                                                                   Secretary 

Barry Checksfield: 2004-2006                           David Venner: 2004-2025

Jeff Adams: 2006-2018

Bev Redman: 2018-19                                              Treasurer

Sue Birch and Sue Deane: 2019-2022          Cliff Dean: 2004-2019

Neil Parker: 2022 – present                                   Bev Redman: 2019 – present

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.