*** HELP US RAISE FUNDS TO REPLACE OUR STOLEN EQUIPMENT ***
Help Us Restore Our Community Woodland Tools
Our community woodland is a special place — cared for, protected, and made welcoming by a small group of dedicated volunteers. We manage the wood so that everyone can enjoy it: from families and dog walkers to schools and local nature groups.
Sadly, in September our storage shed was broken into and much of our essential equipment was stolen. These were the tools we rely on for woodland maintenance, conservation work, and community projects.
Because we are a volunteer-run group, we don’t have the funds to replace the stolen equipment. None of the items were insured, and without them we can’t safely continue much of the work that keeps the woodland thriving — such as clearing paths, managing habitats, and planting new trees.
We’re now reaching out to our community and beyond for help. Every donation, no matter how small, will go directly towards replacing the stolen equipment and getting our volunteers back to work. Our woodland depends on the generosity of people who care — through grants, fundraising events, and kind donations like yours.
Please consider supporting us so we can continue to care for this much-loved space for everyone to enjoy. Together, we can restore what was lost and keep our community woodland growing strong for years to come.
Please use this QR Code to donate or click here to go directly to the crowdfunding page.
Remember – every penny will towards
replacing the equipment!
Thank you for your generosity.
Blog Post – November 2025
We held the AGM on 30th September with only a slight change in the committee. David Venner resigned as secretary, though he remains on the committee and the swale and fundraising subgroups. He was thanked for his amazing 20 plus years of work as secretary. Gail Bradley offered to take on the committee meeting minutes.
October is the start of our winter programme. We reverted to weekend work parties on the second weekend each month, though you will see committee members working at other times. Winter is the busiest time for any wood!
However, we began the month with Apple Day on 8th October. With a busy weekend of preparation and pressing, we were pleased to raise a badly needed £355.50 (after deductions) from donations and the raffle and barbecue. Many thanks to all who helped and supported us, including Sue Birch and her volunteers from the village shop and Aaron’s barbecue.
The other main event was finishing the decking in front of the shipping container. Committee members have been putting in the 700 screws needed to stabilise the decking, before adding the surround. The idea is eventually to have a sheltered work area near our tools and storage for the wood that is cut for charcoal.
Things are dying down for winter, though there was still red clover in the meadow in early October. The crab apple trees had also still plenty of fruit and some areas are covered with windfalls. Paths also have fallen bright red hawthorn berries adding colour. Even in the first week of November there is still hogweed, knapweed and red campion in flower.
Another late ink cap can be seen near the wild flower meadow, shooting up over three days. There are clearly shield bugs around, as this hawthorn shield bug shows. There are still plenty of fallen apples among the trees for bugs and small mammals – and dogs! A few shiny red hawthorn berries are brightening a couple of the paths. I was even eating the last of the blackberries on the 8th November!
The winter plan will see the felling of 23 ash trees, all suffering from ash die back. You may have noticed marked trees, 23 in total, by the paths. These are the ones that will be felled to ensure safe walking. The others away from the paths and public areas that are dead, decaying or dying will be left as either standing or lying dead wood, creating rich habitats for fungi, nurseries for beetle larvae, bats, larders for birds, particularly insectivorous ones, and small animals. There is also plenty of hazel to coppice. Most felled wood will be used for charcoal and logs. We also have quite a few saplings to plant out. Watch out for planting dates on Facebook if you would like to help. Children and parents are particularly welcome.
Please check out our crowdfunding page and think of donating, especially if you enjoy the wood. Maintaining it without the proper tools will be that much harder.
*** STOP PRESS *** Steve Pitcher Biodiversity Award
Our fundraising subgroup (David Venner, Kevin Faulkner and Philip Naylor) have been successful in applying for. Steve Pitcher Biodiversity Award to enable us to develop the swale area. The £500 will be used specifically to:
- Enhance the habitat further by funding the introduction of a scrape to collect rainwater. This will be both a damp habitat in its own right; a source of water for wildlife; and an improvement of the site’s drainage.
- Provide information boards that will explain the ecology of the site to visitors. We need to communicate to the public that the Swales Field is not an area of wasteland to be mistreated, but is a vital part of the biodiversity of Quarry Wood. The Information will help us encourage responsible behaviour, greater understanding of how Nature works and in the process reduce irresponsible behaviour that could damage the site.
You will notice a new logo on our website. The letter below explains why it has appeared….
The trustees of the Tarka Country Trust have asked me to thank you for your recent application to the Steve Pitcher Biodiversity Awards. I am pleased to be able to inform you that your application has been successful and a grant of £500 will be made to be spent specifically on the actions described in your application. The trustees recognise the continued contribution of your CIC to biodiversity in the locality of High Bickington and the valuable work in maintaining and improving essential wildlife resources. The application was seen as highly appropriate, both as a measure in supporting your work and as a suitable destination for the trust’s support. I would be obliged if you could let me know the details of the account the funds need to be transferred into so that our Treasurer, Angela Evans, can make the transfer at some point in the next 2 weeks or so.
I have attached the trust’s logo and the trustees require that the Quarry Wood Committee use this on any publicity acknowledging the award, information boards or any article for publication or indeed information for your volunteers.
In addition the trustees would appreciate an invitation to visit the site at a time and date of your convenience, perhaps in early spring 2026.
Congratulations and again many thanks for the application.
David Rowe Secretary Tarka Country Trust
Apple Day
A huge thanks to everyone who came to our successful Apple Day and to all the people who helped. We had been worried many of your apples would have fallen early as happened with ours during the storm. As it was, our pressers worked hard all day, with what seemed like endless containers being filled!
The barbecue went well and the Village Cafe’s cakes were delicious. The Bodstone Boys entertained us throughout the event. The stalls demonstrated the range of talent in our area.
Blog Post – September2025
September has been a mixed month for the committee. On 6th September we discovered that our shed and container had been broken into, with equipment worth nearly £2,000 was stolen. A big loss for us and its replacement means that other plans have had to be put on hold, including fitting the container out with shelving.
We had a stall at South Molton Eco Fair and sold out of drawing charcoal, a new product. We shall make more on our next charcoal burn now we seem to have a market. We also made some useful contacts.
With Apple Day not until October those who walk past the orchard will have noticed that many of our apples fell early, not all as a result of the weather. I guess we are not alone in this, but we remain hopeful there are still plenty for pressing. The blackberries came early and were not as good as usual, again the result of the weather.
Fungi have been abundant, with some splendid ink caps by the meadow.
However, Lillie was not keen…
For those of you who helped to plant the new hedge you will be delighted to know how successful you were with your efforts as these photographs show. We have had very few losses so the watering the committee did through the summer paid off.
Notes from Quarry Wood – September 2025
Annual General Meeting
The Quarry Wood Committee AGM will be held on Tuesday 30th September at 7.00pm at the Community Centre, High Bickington. All volunteers welcome. If you would like to become a volunteer, come along and hear how the community woodland is managed.
Fund raising volunteer needed!
As we continue to improve the woodland and to provide a new, permanent access path, there is an opportunity for a volunteer with fund-raising experience to join the team. There’s no need to attend all committee meetings or to get involved in the physical maintenance work. We need help with researching potential sources of grant funding, assessing their relevance to our needs and drafting applications. Please contact David Venner – see details below.
Apple Day will be on Sunday 12th October at the Community Centre, with apple pressing, craft stalls, activities, refreshments (including cider!) and entertainment from the Bodstone Boys. If you would like to have a craft stall at this popular event, please contact Sue Deane on 07825 369485 or email sue.deane3@gmail.com and if you have apples to press, please bring them along, together with containers for the resulting juice.
Quarry Wood Calendar
We are planning to produce a calendar for 2026, with photographs of the wood through the seasons. If you have suitable photographs to include we would love to have them. Good quality, landscape format photos please jpg/jpeg format is ideal but please ensure your camera settings are detailed enough. As a rule of thumb your jpg file should be 300kb or more. Email them to davidvenner@live.co.uk please. The deadline is 30th September.
Work parties
Through September, work parties will continue to be held on the second Saturday of each month (or Sunday if Saturday is wet) starting at 9.30am, and on Wednesday evenings, starting at 6.00pm. If you are interested in joining in, please contact us first to confirm that the event is going ahead. All volunteers are welcome; no previous experience is necessary.
Website
Do check out the Quarry Wood pages on the High Bickington Community Centre website: https://highbickingtoncommunitycentre.co.uk. Under the Quarry Wood tab you will find items such as ‘history of the wood’, ‘volunteering’, a monthly blog and a photo gallery. Thanks again to Sally and Gail for setting this up and keeping it updated.
Further information from David Venner (tel: 560417, email davidvenner@live.co.uk)
Organised events in the wood need to be booked through the Community Centre (tel: 561387, email: sally@highbickington.org)
Blog Post – August 2025
August was an exciting month for us, with the long wait for our new storage finally in place. It was quite a feat, with the fund raising taking a few years. Kevin had done an excellent job preparing the site, such that Neil and he only needed to cut back more branches to accommodate the shipping container. The driver/delivery man, Ryan. from M and R Haulage at South Molton, was literally judging inches as he drove through the gate. Watching him working the controls to swing the container into position, bit by bit, was mesmerising. Eventually it settled into position proving the accuracy of Kevin’s work. There is still a lot to do and the decking is going to deplete our funds somewhat. However, we have already started using it a little and are planning how we maximise the space to leave a small work bench.
There are still plenty of butterflies around, including this painted lady.There are still a few dock beetles’ eggs and the results of their larvas’ feeding can be seen in the lacy dock leaves around the wood. The knapweed has almost finished flowering but the brambles are still growing what seems like feet a day!
Unfortunately the high winds have brought down many apples, especially from the Devonshire Quarrendon, which was laden. The crab apples have mostly fallen from the tree on the path between the meadows, though the one in the orchard is laden with dark red fruits. The last plum was picked a week ago and we hope to grow a tree from the stone. Neil has marked the ash trees for felling this winter. Together with the hazel that will be coppiced we shall have plenty of wood for charcoal.
Work parties are continuing through September on Wednesday evenings. See David’s notes above for details.
Notes from Quarry Wood – August 2025
Events
We were delighted to host a Meadows Advice Workshop on 30th June, arranged by Dr Cathy Horsley of the Wilder Communities team, Devon Wildlife Trust. Several of those attending had their own wildflower meadows or were looking for tips on how to establish one. The workshop covered various management techniques and Cathy helped us to identify the plants growing in our two meadows in Quarry Wood. A hot afternoon finished with cold drinks, tea and biscuits in the Community Centre.
A date for your diary: Apple Day will be on Sunday 12th October at the Community Centre, with apple pressing, stalls, activities, refreshments (including cider!) and entertainment from the Bodstone Boys.
Work parties
Work parties are held on the second Saturday of each month (or Sunday if Saturday is wet) starting at 9.30am, and on Wednesday evenings, starting at 6.00pm. If you are interested in joining in, please contact us first to confirm that the event is going ahead. All volunteers are welcome; no previous experience is necessary.
Recent activities included cutting back overgrowth along the paths and preparing a site for a storage container and working area.
Blog Post – July 2025
Sadly the weather threatened our regular stall at the Ashridge Wood Fair this year so we reluctantly cancelled. However, there was still much to excite us this month, beginning with real progress on the preparations for our new storage (shipping container). Roy Brown did a great job levelling the ground in preparation.
You will have noticed a large bank of earth as a result. Devon Wildlife Trust has suggested leaving it as small burrowing creatures will love it.
Kevin, with the help of other committee members and a volunteer, then went to work getting the site ready to take the container. This included measuring out the corners and building up supports for them. A biodegradable weed suppressing membrane has been laid to help keeping the weeds down, topped with gravel to reduce the risk of vermin. The base of a working area, formerly the base of a life boat base is also covered by the membrane. Eventually there will be a decked work area.
Our stall at the fete on 26th July aroused interest in the wood, as did our excellent clean charcoal. We gained two more volunteers. The event is always a challenge as so many of the committee and volunteers are involved in other stalls. Children enjoyed identifying the various trees and it was good to see how knowledgable some were.
The working parties were busy with the meadows, as well as site preparations. The meadows were cut and the hay left to drop seed for a couple of weeks before being gathered. The orchard meadow was full of rattle which we expect to have affected the grass content, hopefully giving a wider range of wildflowers next year. Knapweed clumps in original meadow were left for the meadow brown and common blue butterfly. This year we used our newly acquired sickle mower which made the job much quicker and easier than scything. David’s father’s hay rake proved the value of specialist equipment. (If you have one gathering dust in your shed we would be happy to give it a home in ours!) we gave some of the freshly cut hay to help a volunteer diversify his meadow.
You may have seen a notice about watching out for our toads. While doing the meadow we came across this one. There are others around the campfire area.
July also saw butterflies – painted lady, speckled wood, meadow brown, red admiral and plenty of insects on the flowers. The cherries finished early but there were plums for those who looked carefully. The dry summer meant things were well advanced and there hazelnuts were soon mostly gone.
Notes from Quarry Wood – July 2025
Events
As in previous years we will be at the Ashridge Wood Fair near North Tawton, on Saturday 5th July, 10.00 – 16.00,promoting the wood and selling our charcoal. This is a great day out, with various wood-related stalls, demonstrations and activities for children. For further information, phone Cat on 01837 352025 or email info@ashridge-court.co.uk. We will also have our stall at the High Bickington Village Fete on Saturday 26th July at the playing field. Come and talk to us about the wood and find out how you can help to look after it.
A date for your diary: Apple Day will be on Sunday 12th October at the Community Centre, with apple pressing, stalls, activities, refreshments (including cider!) and entertainment from the Bodstone Boys.
Work parties
Work parties are held on the second Saturday of each month (or Sunday if Saturday is wet) starting at 9.30am, and on Wednesday evenings, starting at 6.00pm. If you are interested in joining in, please contact us first to confirm that the event is going ahead. All volunteers are welcome; no previous experience is necessary. Recent activities included, cutting back overgrowth along the paths, mowing and learning about wildflower meadow management with Devon Wildlife Trust.
Blog Post – 30th June 2025
June ended with a workshop by Dr Cathy Horsley from the Wilder Communities Team at Devon Wildlife Trust. The focus was Wildflower Meadows and we were delighted to be showcasing our two wildflower meadows and the wood for a group of enthusiasts, many of whom had their own meadows. Under a very hot sun, Cathy explained the various way to create and maintain a wildflower meadow, with our meadows as examples of two different methods. She also identified various grasses and flowers. A more complete fuller report will be posted under “Reports” in due course.
Blog Post – 24th June
A walk through the wood provided breakfast for the dog and me. The cherries were a bit tart but very tasty!
Notes from Quarry Wood – June 2025
Dawn Chorus walk
On May 4th, which was International Dawn Chorus Day, a dozen early risers came to Quarry Wood to hear the dawn chorus. It was a warm morning with just a slight breeze – ideal conditions for listening to the birds. With the help of our trusty Merlin apps we were able to identify the following species: blackbird, robin, wren, blue tit, great tit, goldfinch, goldcrest, chiffchaff, blackcap, willow warbler, house sparrow, chaffinch, song thrush, collared dove and wood pigeon. As the birds continued singing, we adjourned to the campfire area in the wood to enjoy a hot drink and a bacon (or veggie sausage) roll. Thanks to the volunteers who rose even earlier to light the fire and cook the bacon and sausages!
Work parties
Work parties are held on the second Saturday of each month (or Sunday if Saturday is wet!) starting at 9.30am, and on Wednesday evenings, starting at 6.00pm. If you are interested in joining in, please contact us first to confirm that the event is going ahead. All volunteers are welcome; no previous experience is necessary.
Recent activities included watering the newly planted hedge and laying weed suppressant membrane, recording wildflowers, cutting back overgrowth along the paths, and constructing dead hedges.
Monthly Sightings – May
Bluebell
Buttercup, creeping
Buttercup, meadow
Cleavers
Cuckoo flower
Cow parsley
Cowslip
Daisy
Dandelion
Dock (broadleaf)
Greater stitchwort
Ground ivy
Groundsel
Hairy bittercress
Herb Bennet
Herb Robert
Lords and ladies
Navelwort, also known as pennywort
Primrose
Ragged robin
Red campion
Ribwort plantain
Speedwell
Hawthorn
Elder
Spindle
Apple
Gelder Rose
18th May
This has been a busy two weeks in the swales area. In the last few months the hedge between the wood and the swales area was laid, leading to a large amount of cuttings or “brash”. It is now being utilised to create dead hedges round the swales, with coppiced hazel for the posts. Dead hedges are loved by wild life, with hiding places for many creatures, nesting for birds, homes for many insects and food. They are sustainable providing nutrients as they rot down. It is hoped that these hedges will provide greater safety for the wildlife in the swales and encourage greater diversity.
The new hedge is growing well, with very few saplings dying. The trees are now being helped further with a biodegradable weed membrane. This should last three years giving the trees time to lay down roots without competing with the nettles that have been thriving in the area. Wood chippings are gradually being laid on top and as these rot down they will provide additional nutrients.
If you would like to help finish this or the hedge, just come along on a Wednesday evening at 6 pm.
In the wood there are so many interesting things to see at the moment. The spindles have gone from bud to flower. It is amazing that the rather insipid flower can become such a beautiful seed pod in the autumn. The wild flower meadows are starting to spring into life, though the cowslips and celandines have been and gone. But there are still some primroses to be found and the lungwort is showing in the gate into Back Lane. Unfortunately, docks are thriving and it is difficult to keep up with removing the flower heads before the seeds fall. Kevin has acquired an ancient dock remover and has been digging them up but it is slow work.
We still have plenty of charcoal for sale. You can buy it in the village shop. Remember, it is free of pollutants, and burns cleanly. The sales help to support the on-going work.
Notes from Quarry Wood – May 2025
As part of our celebration of the 20th anniversary of the planting of the wood, we arranged an illustrated talk on the history, wildlife and management of Devon’s hedges and small woods. About 70 people heard Dr Robert Wolton, Chairman of the Devon Hedge Group, give a marvellous account of how hedges came into being and their value to both farmers and wildlife. He also told us how hedges should be managed to maximise these benefits, based on his long experience as an ecologist with Natural England and from working on his own farm hedges.
Forthcoming Activities
For early risers, on 4th May (International Dawn Chorus Day) we will be holding our own Dawn Chorus Walk in the wood. Meet at the Community Centre at 6.00am for a conducted tour of the wood, help with identifying birdsong, and refreshments around the campfire at the end.
Work Parties
Work parties are held on the second Saturday of each month (or Sunday if Saturday is wet!) starting at 9.30am. From Easter we will be meeting on Wednesday evening, starting at 6.30pm. If you are interested in joining in, please contact us first to confirm that the event is going ahead. All volunteers are welcome; no previous experience is necessary.
Notes from Quarry Wood – April 2025
REMINDER: Book now for “Devon’s Wonderful Hedges” – Friday 4th April, 7.00pm for 7.30pm at the Community Centre, High Bickington. £5 adults, £2.50 students.
As part of our celebration of the 20th anniversary of the planting of the wood, we have arranged an illustrated talk on the history, wildlife and management of Devon’s hedges and small woods, by Dr Robert Wolton, ecologist, farmer and Chairman of the Devon Hedge Group.
You can book your place by scanning the QR code on the poster opposite, or via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1234519524129?aff=oddtdtcreator. If you prefer to just come along and pay at the door, that’s fine but please let us know in advance so that we can ensure that we have enough seating and refreshments. Please phone or email David Venner – see contact details below.
Other Forthcoming Activities
There will once again be an Easter Egg Hunt around the wood, from 18th to 21st April. Look out for posters advertising extra activities in the wood on the Saturday! And on 4th May (International Dawn Chorus Day) we will be holding our own Dawn Chorus Walk in the wood. Meet at the Community Centre at 6.00am.
Hedge Planting, Hedgelaying and Thinning
In early March we completed the planting of a new hedge alongside the school grounds. Thanks to the volunteers who braved a cold morning to carry out this planting. A section of the tall hedge between Quarry Wood and an adjoining field was laid to encourage new, denser growth, and the nearby gateway has been stone-faced. Thanks to David and Kevin for carrying out this work, and to Neil who has completed this winter’s thinning operations.
Website
We now have some web pages on the High Bickington Community Centre website: https://highbickingtoncommunitycentre.co.uk. Under the Quarry Wood tab you will find items such as ‘history of the wood’, ‘volunteering’, ‘20th anniversary events’, and a photo gallery. Thanks to Sally and Gail for setting this up.
Notes from Quarry Wood – March 2025
REMINDER: Book now for “Devon’s Wonderful Hedges” – Friday 4th April, 7.00pm at the Community Centre, High Bickington. £5 adults, £2.50 students.
As part of our celebration of the 20th anniversary of the planting of the wood, we have arranged an illustrated talk on the history, wildlife and management of Devon’s hedges and small woods, by Dr Robert Wolton, ecologist, farmer and Chairman of the Devon Hedge Group.
You can book your place by scanning the QR code on the poster opposite, or via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1234519524129?aff=oddtdtcreator. If you prefer to just come along and pay at the door, that’s fine but please let us know in advance so that we can ensure that we have enough seating and refreshments. Please phone or email David Venner – see contact details below.
Other Forthcoming Activities
There will once again be an Easter Egg Hunt around the wood, from 18th to 21st April. Look out for posters advertising extra activities in the wood on the Saturday! And on 4th May (International Dawn Chorus Day) we will be holding our own Dawn Chorus Walk in the wood. Meet at the Community Centre at 6.00am.
Hedge Planting and Hedgelaying
In early March we completed the planting of a new hedge alongside the school grounds. Thanks to the volunteers who braved a cold morning to carry out this planting. A section of the tall hedge between Quarry Wood and the swales field was laid to encourage new, denser growth, and the nearby gateway has been stone faced. Thanks to David and Kevin for carrying out this work.
Website
We now have some web pages on the High Bickington Community Centre website: https://highbickingtoncommunitycentre.co.uk. Under the Quarry Wood tab you will find items such as ‘history of the wood’, ‘volunteering’, ‘20th anniversary events’, and a photo gallery.
Work Parties
Work parties are held on the second Saturday of each month (or Sunday if Saturday is wet!) starting at 9.30am. From April we will also have some midweek evening work parties, starting at 6.30pm. If you are interested in joining in, please contact us first to confirm that the event is going ahead. All volunteers are welcome; no previous experience is necessary.
Further information from David Venner (tel: 560417, email davidvenner@live.co.uk)
Organised events in the wood need to be booked through the Community Centre (tel: 561387, email: sally@highbickington.org)