VO L U N T E E R N E W

Winter 2008

SLETTER

With the Olympics

over, the Woodland
MEDAL
Trust adds to Great
Britain’s medal haul.
Sallyanne Flemons
WINNERS
reports

News
INSIDE
2 & 16
REVEALED
This year’s Volunteer of the Year

Ron Lobban
The mystery of the
competition was harder to judge
missing website
than ever.
Learning 3
Can you complete the picture The pool of volunteers is bigger than before
and their roles extremely varied.
Ancient trees 4
Summer of hugs update But it was fitting that the overall winner’s
Close-up efforts played a part in making a success of
the Trust’s most talked about project of 2008.
Photographers 6
Moving images Winner of the Watkins Memorial Medal
A-Ward winning film and Volunteer of the Year 2008:
Irena Krasinska-Lobban
Outwards & onwards 8
Thinking on a new scale Irena was nominated by Katherine Owen, the
Trust’s senior verifier for the Ancient Tree
The Woodland Trust
Hunt.‘Irena has provided amazing support to
in a nutshell 10
the Hunt in Scotland,’ she said.‘She is a
Speakers 11 fantastic ambassador to the project whose ‘hunters’, even
enthusiasm has really helped to move it producing a regular
In the woods 12
Green your neighbourhood
forward in quite a remote area.’ newsletter to make the most
Boundary changes This year’s Volunteer of the Year has verified of networking opportunities.

Woodland groups 14
New Woodwatch scheme
Out of the woods 15
How woods healed me
Getting in touch 16
nearly 100 ancient trees herself as well as
encouraging others including collating hints
and tips into a ‘verifying kit’. Irena has liaised
with many partners to promote the Hunt,
giving talks and interviews to the media.
In accepting a role as Regional Lead Verifier,
she has helped and enthused 16 other
‘Irena has put a huge amount of effort into
supporting the Ancient Tree Hunt in Scotland
and I am really pleased we can show her how
much she is appreciated through this award.’
See inside for the Volunteer of the Year category
winners (page 2) and an interview with Irena
(page 5)

www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/volunteering
2 email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk tel: 01476 581111

NEWS

WTPL/Carole Sutton
Volunteer of the Year 2008
The Woodland Trust is extremely grateful for the support given by all of our
volunteers.The Volunteer of the Year awards is one way of recognising and
celebrating your importance.
From left to right: Merle Dekanski, Carl Hughes and
Karen Lifford The winner of the Watkins Memorial Medal
Dear friends for Volunteer of the Year 2008 is Irena Krasinska-Lobban –
see front cover.
We received a really positive response
to the feature in issue 6 of the Volunteer The category winners are:
Newsletter where we explained ‘The Patrick Roper – South East Sally Hepher – Speaker
inside story’ of the Woodland Trust. So, An ecological expert who supported our Our speaker covering the Essex area
in issue 7, we are continuing to keep you acquisition of Brede High Woods
informed about the internal workings Mandy Brilliant – Project
Mike Wakelin – Eastern
and philosophy behind the Trust. A proofreader for both the Volunteer
Supported the fundraising appeal for the Newsletter and the grants team
In our main feature (page 8) we explain extension to Banovallum Carr in Lincolnshire
how and why we are becoming more Friends of St Benedict’s
David Orchard – North West Wood – Group
outward-looking as an organisation and
Warden at George’s Wood near Bolton Champions for St Benedict’s Wood,
in another article (page 12) we outline
Michael Murray and Lin Callard – Merseyside
what this means for our volunteers
Scotland joint winners
based in the woods. Richard Becker – Photographer
Michael is volunteer warden at Crinan
And if, like us, you often find yourself in Provides many species images
Wood in Argyll and Bute. Lin completed
situations where you need to explain to survey work at three woods John Hodges – Ancient Tree Hunt
others what the Trust does, you should Brian McGleenon – Northern Ireland A prolific ancient tree hunter
find The Woodland Trust in a nutshell
A filmmaker (see page 6)
(page 10) useful.
Jayne Lewthwaite – Central office
We also have the usual mix of interest
A provider of administrative support for
Well done to
in the pages dedicated to all the some of our teams in Grantham you all.
different volunteer genres including a
focus on moving images for the
photographers (page 6) and news of The mystery of the missing website
brand new resources to fight cases of
woods under threat (page 14). ‘Come spring 2008, the Woodland Trust It’s not too late to get a sneak preview
will be launching a brand new website…’ by joining the select group of people
Once again, we are extremely grateful who will be trialling the site.There
to all the volunteers who helped us to T hat’s what we said in the last are likely to be other web related
put another absorbing issue together. issue. So where is it? Technical volunteering opportunities for those
If you would like to get involved or problems have caused delays and who sign up for the trial.
contribute to this newsletter in any way, headaches. But, so we have an
efficient and effective website Please call or email us if you’d like
please do get in touch. to help.
well into the future, we are working
Best wishes as fast as we can to ensure these
issues are totally resolved before it
goes live.
Look out for new functions, including
microsites for all our woods and
The volunteers team opportunities to record your own
PS Could you help us fill the gaps in our comments and images. It will be even
phenology and speaker networks? See pages 3 and more interactive, better looking and
11 to see if you are in one of our target areas. easy to use.
 VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 3

LEARNING
The Woodland Trust’s education work engages adults and children,
nurturing an enduring appreciation of trees and woods.
There are many rewarding ways that volunteers can help

Can you complete the picture?

With thousands of people
across the UK registered to
record, Nature’s Calendar
provides vital scientific
information on how climate is
affecting the timing of natural
Do you live in one of the areas
listed below, do you regularly
visit there or do you know
someone living in the area who
might like to become a
recorder? If so, we would really
WTPL/Ilene Sterns
SCOTLAND This is our top
priority for recruitment.
We have recorders in Glasgow
and Edinburgh, very small
concentrations in Aberdeen
and Dundee but, otherwise,
Spring 2008: Nature’s

events. So much so that the like to hear from you. recorders are very scarce
Calendar features on

information is used by the UK across the rest of the country.

Government as one of its
climate change indicators.
However, a recent survey
of our own has identified
some geographical gaps in
the information that we
would like to fill to make
the picture even more
complete. Seasonal changes
are affected by factors such as
altitude and latitude, so
it is scientifically important
Even if your area is not listed,
you could still make a vital
contribution to Nature’s
Calendar. The more records
we have, the more robust the
survey results.
Filling the gaps
Records are least common
from upland areas and those
with lower populations.
We need more recorders
everywhere but especially the
Radio 4 Today
programme…
ENGLAND There is good
Radio Five Live…
coverage for most of England, BBC1 lunchtime
but records are thin in news…Channel Five
Northumberland, across the evening news…
Pennines and the North York The Times…
Moors. More recorders are Daily Mail…
needed in Devon, notably close
The Independent
to Dartmoor and Exmoor.
Your contributions to
WALES The gaps are in
Nature’s Calendar are
upland areas, particularly the
bringing climate change and
Cambrian Mountains.
the work of the Woodland

to cover as many locations places below and particularly

Trust to the attention of
Take part now by visiting
as possible. for our autumn survey.
many thousands of people.
www.naturescalendar.org.uk

It’s a
WTPL

then they are totally engaged,’ explains Kate. ‘We already have a
lot of ways that people can find out more about woods, so my

pleasure aim is to consolidate this information, creating a place to go for

Not so long ago, the Trust’s learning

team focused on the younger
generation. Now they are targeting
grown ups too, with an emphasis on leisure – and pleasure.
Kate Lewthwaite, UK Phenology Network and Lifelong
Learning Manager, has begun an audit, drawing together
information on the many different learning opportunities that
the Woodland Trust presents.
‘People learn best when they are enjoying themselves because
inspiration.
‘This is learning in your leisure time, not to get academic or
vocational qualifications but purely for pleasure. Initiatives like
the Ancient Tree Hunt and Nature’s Calendar not only provide
us with important data – they encourage peoples’ appreciation
of woods and trees and help us to spread the word.There are
also guided walks, talks and resources like the Exploring
Woodland Guides’ (see below).
There are many new opportunities and resources in the
pipeline. Keep a look out for the new website (see opposite)
and get ready to be inspired.

Exploring Woodland in Scotland

The long awaited final book in our popular Exploring Woodland series – the guide for Scotland – has
just been published.There is now a complete series covering the whole of Britain.The guide was
produced with the help of a team of researchers, including three volunteers. It includes details on
hundreds of recommended woods to visit from the Scottish Borders to the Highlands.
If you would like a copy, call 0800 056 0643 or visit www.woodlandtrustshop.com. It is
currently on offer, priced at £7.99.
 4 email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk tel: 01476 581111

ANCIENT TREES
We’ve teamed up with the Ancient Tree Forum to celebrate ancient trees and do all
we can to conserve them. Read here about what’s happening and then why not join
the discussion forum by logging onto www.ancient-tree-forum.org.uk or
www.AncientTreeHunt.org.uk

Summer of hugs!
Clive Anderson and Monty Don were among the celebrities
embracing the latest Ancient Tree Hunt initiative, when the
Summer of Hugs was launched at the Hay-on-Wye literary
festival in May.
The call went out for the young and the young-at-heart to put
on their summer gear, head out into the fresh air to find and
hug a natural wonder – an ancient tree.
WTPL/Chris Marsh
A good indication of a tree’s age is the girth of its trunk, and
‘hugging’ is an easy way to measure this.
The Ancient Tree Hunt aims to record the details of 100,000
ancient, veteran and otherwise notable trees on its website
database.After just one year some 17,000 trees had been logged.
Now, don’t worry if you missed the Summer of Hugs.
As autumn turns into winter, there’s no better time to
experience a ‘bare hug’.

Put your arms around me

Did you miss out on those swinging summers in the ‘60s when love and peace,
groovy music and flower-power were the order of the day? Never mind.
What about the Summer of Hugs? Did you miss out on that too? Not to worry.There’s
plenty of time to heed the call to ‘put your arms around me’.This is no short-lived
phenomenon; it’s all about natural staying-power!

The bare hug
L ate autumn and winter is the perfect time to see
the amazing natural sculptures created by some of
our oldest trees.
As you join hands with your companions to hug
an impressively stout trunk, up above you, the
tree’s gnarled boughs and contorted branches
are combining to create weird and wonderful
shapes, especially when set against the weak light
of winter sunshine.
So, how do you know if the tree enjoying your ‘bare
hug’ is really old? The answer comes relatively
easily, thanks to that well known measurement –
the British Standard Hug!
The British
Standard Hug
A hug from an
WTPL/Chris Marsh
adult – with arms
outstretched –
measures about 1.5
metres, whilst a
child’s hug measures
about half that.
The Ancient Tree
Hunt is interested
in big hugs, which
means at least four
adults for sweet
chestnuts, three
for oaks and two
for beeches.
All tree records submitted for inclusion on the Ancient
Tree Hunt’s database will be checked by expert
volunteer verifiers, so don’t worry if you’re not
absolutely sure of any particular detail.
A measurement of the trunk (using either the British
Standard Hugs method or a tape measure) and an
accurate location are really important. In fact, Irena
Krasinska-Lobban, lead volunteer verifier for Scotland,
says that the most difficult task for the verifiers is often
locating the tree!
To discover all you need to know to join the hunt this
winter, visit our website. It’s easy and good fun. It
doesn’t matter whether you’re in the city, town or
countryside.The whole family can join in and help
safeguard these wonderful trees for future generations.
VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 5
CLOSE UP
Name:
Irena Krasinska-Lobban
Occupation:
Semi-retired
Location:
Perthshire
Volunteer role:
Lead volunteer verifier for Scotland – and now
Volunteer of the Year 2008! (see front cover)
When did you first become interested
in trees?
I’ve been interested in nature – trees, plants and birds – all my life.
My grandfather was very knowledgeable about nature, and when I
was a young child, he’d help me identify the different species.
How did you get involved with the Ancient
Tree Hunt?
I’d been a member of the Woodland Trust for some years.When I
finished working full-time, I’d more time to devote to voluntary
work. I heard about the Ancient Tree Forum and discovered that
the Ancient Tree Hunt needed volunteer verifiers. In January 2007 I
enrolled on a training course. Now the hunt takes up most of my
volunteer time.
What does a volunteer verifier do?
When someone registers a tree in my area on the Ancient Tree
Hunt website, I check the species, position, girth and description.
The Tree Register database is also available to the Ancient Tree
Hunt, and the current status of the trees on that also needs
checking. My list of trees needing verification increases every week.
As lead volunteer verifier for Scotland, I also help the other 16
Scottish volunteer verifiers, by answering their queries and
providing information.Where I can’t help, I act as a conduit
between them and Kath Owen, the senior verifier.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
It gets me out amongst trees, which in itself is rather nice, but it
also gives me the chance to speak with people about ancient trees
and about the Hunt. Buildings tend to be well protected but trees
aren’t. So, I get to raise awareness of the value and importance of
old trees. Lots of trees have a story attached to them too!
What’s your favourite tree?
There are so many wonderful trees but my favourite is Neil Gow’s
oak. He was an 18th century fiddle player and sat underneath this
tree by the River Tay to compose his music.
Thank you to all those people who have volunteered
to be ancient tree volunteer verifiers.We will be in
touch as soon as a suitable opportunity arises in your
area. In the meantime, please keep hunting.
6 email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk tel: 01476 581111

P H OTO G R A P H E R S
A picture speaks a thousand words and our volunteer photographers
provide some of our most powerful tools for campaigning and fundraising.
In this issue, we focus on the moving image. To become a volunteer photographer,

Moving images
call us or email photolibrary@woodlandtrust.org.uk

The power of film to drive a message home

cannot be underestimated. Mandy Hillier
explains how Woodland Trust volunteers are
harnessing the force of the moving image to
great effect
In Northern Ireland earlier this year more than 400 primary
school children attended a ‘Magic of Trees Conference’, part of
the Trust's Tree For All campaign, at Loughry Campus, Cookstown.

Professional artists worked alongside the children to encourage

an appreciation of trees, woodland and nature using the creative
energy of poetry, storytelling, photography, film making and music.

When the Trust's Northern Ireland office decided to

use film, they turned to the Trust’s volunteer list and found the
very able film maker Brian McGleenon, a 28 year-old father of one
young son recently returned to the province from London.

‘We hired some equipment and there was a lot of organising but it
was well worth it – it is a great cause’ said Brian who roped in his
brother, David, to help and David's friend Myles O'Neill, a camera
operator who was able to use some of his own equipment.

The team ran film making workshops, filmed other workshops to

produce a short documentary about what went on at the
conference, and helped the children make their own film tree
advertisements.

Brian's tree-friendly inspiration comes originally from getting

involved in planting trees when he was 16 and watching them
thrive. He also feels that as a father he has a refreshed
commitment to the future to which trees are so vital a part.

You can see Brian’s work at www.naturedetectives.org.uk/magic

Of course the technology of film moves on swiftly

and even VHS film from the ‘70s is becoming unusable in its original
format. So when it came to utilising a piece of the Trust's own
history someone was needed to convert the old film into a DVD.
The history in question was a short film based on conversations
between Trust founder, Kenneth Watkins, and its first chief
‘The Reliable and Tidy Hoverfly Looking For a Place to Live’
executive, John James, about conservation, the Trust and how it film on YouTube.com for the ATH team
all started.
 VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 7

The volunteer brought in to do the job was Mike Ward
(profiled below) who converted this important piece of film
history into modern, convenient DVDs to be used in talks,
presentations and on websites.
PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS WORKED ALONGSIDE
THE CHILDREN....USING THE CREATIVE ENERGY
OF POETRY, STORYTELLING, PHOTOGRAPHY,
FILM MAKING AND MUSIC.
The Ancient Tree Hunt team has also utilised the skills
of film making volunteers in the shape of a stop motion
animation film – for the uninitiated that means a Wallace and
Gromit-style cartoon. Called The Reliable and Tidy Hoverfly
Looking For a Place to Live, it starts with the hoverfly visiting a
tree and focuses on other insects and life forms dependent on
the tree to demonstrate the great biodiversity of ancient trees.
‘There are a lot of people in our system who have the sort of
skills which could be employed for such a film. In fact,
throughout the UK we have 380 people who have ticked the
box offering film and interviewing help,’ said Volunteer Co-
ordinator, Carl Hughes.
With the vital impact of moving images and the developing
technology which has made film making cheaper and more
accessible, this strand of volunteer work is expected to be
increasingly important.
To view films about the Trust go to
http://uk.youtube.com/user/woodlandtrust

It has been made by Jorge Martin, who is doing an MA in film

making. He was helped by Helena Sainzdevicuna, with some
input from volunteer verifier, Steve Waters.

Chris Hickman, project assistant with the Ancient Tree

From top left clockwise:
Hunt, said: ‘This five-minute film is a learning tool for all ages Brede High Woods Appeal;
which will be used at talks and events to help demonstrate the Clive Anderson talks about
Golden Charter; the Mystery
importance of our ancient trees.’ Site Appeal to create the
largest new native forest in
In the future it is hoped to make a training film for Trust England
staff members with the help of the talents of volunteers.

photography – not
A-Ward surprisingly, he is one
of the Woodland
winning video Trust's volunteer
photographers. His
Lynda Brown meets Mike Ward,
favourite place to
a man of many talents
photograph? Woods,
Mike Ward is a credit to us all – a retired energy engineer, of course, especially
who spends his days as a volunteer for various worthy his nearest Woodland
causes, including the Woodland Trust, where his technical Trust wood,
expertise as an in-house promotional video and editing Londonthorpe, in
‘know-how’ man, has proved a real asset. nearby Grantham.

Mike’s video of the recent successful campaign to buy
Wentwood near Newport in South Wales, was used to
rally support of the business community, and helped to
raise the thousands of pounds needed. Mike’s editing skills
have also come in handy for an in-house training seminar
and for filming Sue Holden, the Trust’s chief executive, too.
Mike shoots and edits the videos single-handedly, even
providing DVDs for head office to use, so his support is
invaluable. Apart from helping people, his other passion is
‘I’m never happier than when I’m in woods,’ says Mike,
‘They’re very special places, so tranquil yet full of life – I
love taking photos of everything and anything in them, be
they plants, trees, insects, birds or other animals.’
He greatly enjoys being a volunteer. ‘Volunteering with the
Woodland Trust is very satisfying,’ says Mike who lives just
three miles away from head office, ‘and it’s great to be able
to help promote the Woodland Trust through what I enjoy
doing best.’
8 email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk tel: 01476 581111

O u t w a rd s a
Sallyanne Flemons describes the future of co

There was a time when nature conservation was

WTPL/Rosanna Ballentine
simpler. Or at least it seemed that way. We would
aspire to acquire the best bits of land that nature had
to offer and protect them. These sacred areas were
called ‘nature reserves’.
But the onset of climate change has led to a rethink, and
almost all the UK’s conservation organisations, including the
Woodland Trust, have broadened their outlook. The term
‘landscape scale’ is now very familiar in these circles and it is
a term that is set to infuse almost everything we do.
The Trust has over 1,000 woods directly in its care and these
remain very precious to us. Many contain ancient woodland,
the richest UK landscape of all, and we are still committed to
caring for and protecting all our sites to the best of our ability.
What has changed, and is now being set out in our
organisational strategies, is the recognition that these places
can only be adequately conserved if we work to nurture
biodiversity across whole landscapes.
As anyone with an enthusiasm for nature will know, species
exist as part of an interdependent web of life and any upset
has innumerable affects upon its balance. The richest and most
robust ancient woods are the ones that are largest or exist in
areas where the surrounding land is also wildlife-rich and
managed sympathetically and so the ecosystem can thrive.
Conversely, the most vulnerable woods are the smallest that
face the most external threats, like agricultural pressures or built
Treasures to be found in the Valley include a number of
development. Woodland Trust woods do not exist in a vacuum.
fragments of ancient woodland, a habitat even rarer in Northern

The Faughan ‘honeypot’
The logic is easy to see, but it is also clear that concentrating
efforts on our own land is much more straightforward.
How can an organisation with finite resources effectively
influence what happens elsewhere?
Ireland than elsewhere in the UK. There were two Trust woods
in the area – Killaloo, a captivating bluebell-carpeted oak wood
with ancient pockets, and Oaks Wood – a recently planted site
created as part of the Trust’s ‘Woods on your Doorstep’
initiative. Consequently, relationships with other people and
organisations in the area were already well advanced.

TREASURES TO BE FOUND IN THE VALLEY
INCLUDE...A HABITAT EVEN RARER IN
NORTHERN IRELAND
One of the most advanced examples of a landscape-scale
project is currently being explored in the beautiful valley that
follows the River Faughan near the city of Londonderry,
Northern Ireland. The seeds of the project were sown in
spring 2007 when the Trust’s pivotal Ancient Woodland
Inventory was published. The Inventory was the first place the
location of all Northern Ireland’s ancient woods had ever
been documented and it identified the Faughan Valley as a
‘honeypot’ for nature.
At around the same time as the Inventory was published,
Environment and Heritage Service for Northern Ireland (now
Northern Ireland Environment Agency) was completing a
study of Northern Ireland’s natural heritage and
unsurprisingly, it too spotted the potential of the Valley.
And so, now, the Faughan Valley has become a priority area for
action, a place where we are now building and nurturing
relationships with other partners. We are working with Derry
City Council, RAPID (Rural Area Partnership in Derry), the
Loughs Agency and Northern Ireland Environment Agency to
agree an outline for this action. The framework will be used as
the foundation for a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund. As well
 VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 9

n d o n w a rd s
onservation according to the Woodland Trust

As far as the whole project is concerned, we will submit the

pivotal Faughan Valley Heritage Lottery Fund bid by the end of
November this year and should know the outcome by the
middle of 2009.
This example in Derry is just one way that landscape-scale
thinking can work. There are many plans in the pipeline, some
well advanced, that involve the Trust aiming to influence what
happens between and around its own sites. These projects can
work equally well when they are centred around themes such
as restoring planted ancient woodland sites or campaigning to
save woods under threat.

Lessons to learn
What happens in the Faughan Valley, and elsewhere, will no
doubt teach us many things about working on a landscape scale
but we are not expecting fast results. Relationships are slow to
build and nature always takes time to display her verdict.
But we do know that neither climate change nor wildlife
recognise geographical boundaries. By uniting with others we
can give all of the UK’s native woods the very best chance of
meeting the considerable challenges to come.
For more information visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/
publications then click on ‘policy publications’ and select
Turning over a new leaf in the countryside.
Killaloo Wood in the Faughan Valley which partners are joining forces to protect and enhance

WTPL/Stuart Cooper
as nature conservation, it will consider the built heritage,
public access, tourism and recreation.

... A JOURNEY THAT TAKES

IN OUR LAND AND THAT
OF OTHERS IS A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE
This summer we completed another acquisition in the Valley of
23 hectares (58 acres) of land adjacent to Ness and Ervey
Woods which are owned by Northern Ireland Environment
Agency. Our vision is to create a sympathetic landscape where
a journey that takes in our land and that of others is a
seamless experience with consistent signage, flowing pathways
and a variety of habitats.

Reaching out
For our new wood, we are already planning spring and autumn
planting events through Tree For All and we want to engage as
many local people as possible. The hope is that our partners
will join us in spreading the word because, in the future,
everyone will benefit.
10 email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk tel: 01476 581111

THE WOODLAND TRUST

IN A NUTSHELL
Picture the scene. You are at a party. You are introduced to someone you’ve never met before. You get chatting.
Soon you come round to talking about what you do in your spare time.You mention the things you do for the
Woodland Trust. ‘Ah the Woodland Trust. I’ve heard of them.’ they say, ‘What do they do?’
This has happened to me before and it may have happened to you. As a Trust volunteer you are in a really strong position to act
as an advocate for the Woodland Trust and what we do. But the Woodland Trust does so many things and conservation issues
can be lengthy to explain. What do you focus on when you only have a moment of someone’s time?
To help in exactly this situation, here we give you the low down on five, easy-to-get-across messages.

1. The UK’s ancient woods are under threat and can never be
Woodland eggs

replaced.
Should the situation allow, you could get round to explaining how we go
about tackling this problem. These are our four aims and everything we do is
contributing to one or more of them:
We want to see:
• No further loss of ancient woodland
• Woodland biodiversity restored and improved
• An increase in new native woodland
Ronseal

• An increase in people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland

2. We create more native woods in the UK than anyone else.
We have one of the lowest concentrations of woodland cover in Europe, but
rd
it ca

in 2007 we planted more than a million trees. We offer countless

cred

opportunities for people to plant trees themselves and options to dedicate

trees or buy native saplings online.
- op
Co

3. The Woodland Trust owns over 1,000 woods that are free to visit.
The

Anyone can visit these woods and, indeed, our website which gives
information about all of them including where they are.
Tree planting

4. It is fun and easy to get involved.

There are numerous ways to get involved with the Woodland Trust. The
opportunities that are currently engaging the most people are:
• The Ancient Tree Hunt – Our aim is to locate and log every ancient
me

tree in the UK. See page 4 for more or visit www.AncientTreeHunt.org.uk

Recycling Sche

• Nature’s Calendar – A huge survey which is shedding light on how

nature is responding to the seasons as the climate changes. More at
www.naturescalendar.org.uk
Christmas Card

• Tree For All – We want to offer every child the chance to plant a tree.
Specifically, we are aiming to help 1 million children plant 12 million trees.
Check out our progress at www.treeforall.org.uk
Annual Review

5. Support the Trust on your high street.

Partnerships with major companies provide invaluable funds for the Trust and
they offer people an easy way to help the environment, donate to the Trust,
or both.
You can find more information about Current examples include: Woodland Eggs available in Sainsbury’s, Ronseal Eco
any of the above and a virtual version of Woodcare range, the Woodland Trust Co-operative Bank credit card and
our Annual Review on our main website Christmas card recycling at WHSmith, Tesco, Marks & Spencer or TKMaxx.
at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
 VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 11

SPEAKERS
Awareness of the Woodland Trust’s work is given a huge boost by our speakers’
network. If you know of an organisation or group that would like to book a
presentation, contact the volunteer speaker service on 08452 935 752 or
email vsmail@woodlandtrust.org.uk

Number Going digital

crunching The speakers’ trial of digital data projectors
In 2007, over 300 talks were has been very successful. The equipment was
provided by the Trust to a selection of speakers
given to an audience of around
on a long term loan. The feedback suggests they
15,000. There are currently 86
have been effective and easy to use.
speakers on our books.
As well offering scope for greater speed and
creativity, the projectors cut down on resources
and save costs.

Targeting new audiences

We are very fortunate to have such a large
and talented speakers’ network and want to

Please
make the most of it. So we have been actively
seeking new audiences.

speak up
Talk requests from The University of the Third
Age Trust (U3A) look set to increase after a

Although we have over
80 speakers throughout the
UK, some areas are not
well served.
If you would like to give talks
meeting between Trust staff and the chairman of
the Third Age Trust, and a potential article in
their magazine. It has over 200,000 members
and groups all over the UK. U3A describes itself as ‘a self-help organisation for people no
longer in full time employment providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a
friendly environment.

Hottest topic – The Ancient Tree Hunt

in any of the following areas,
please get in touch. We will
then send you details of what
New digital material has been produced for
WTPL/Chris Marsh

is involved.
speakers who would like to enlighten their
Please speak up
audiences about the Woodland Trust’s big 2008
in…Cumbria, Scotland,
project – the Ancient Tree Hunt (see page 4).
Mid Wales, Devon,
Lancashire. Some speakers have already received training on
the subject of ancient trees. If you present digitally and would like to add a presentation on
ancient trees to your repertoire, please contact the Volunteer Speakers Coordinator and, if
enough requests are received we will arrange another training event.

The topic of the Ancient Tree Hunt is already helping us to interest new groups who may well
request talks, including the Garden Trust. Recently, two of our speakers have given talks at the
Tree Council Urban Tree Warden forums in Newcastle and York.
 12 email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk tel: 01476 581111

I N T H E WO O D S
Who needs an excuse to spend more time in the woods?
Our wood-based volunteers care for our woods in many, varied ways

View from the woods

WTPL/Ken Leslie
As the Woodland Trust outlines its landscape-
scale approach (see page 8), Sallyanne
Flemons looks at what this means for

Woodland Trust woods are some of the most stunning and

volunteers working in its woods

wildlife-rich places in the UK. We are extremely proud of them

and, with considerable help from our volunteers, continue to
do our utmost to ensure they are safe and appropriately cared
for. From that point of view, nothing has changed.
What has changed is our increased interest in what is
happening on the land surrounding our sites. Because these
woods are so precious and delicate, where appropriate we
want to buffer them from external threats and extend them
to make them more resilient.
In an ideal world, the most effective buffering would involve
the planting or regenerating of trees, which obviously has the
added benefit of extending the wood. This guards against most
threats including agricultural pollution caused by use of
fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides. And clearly land that has
been secured for planting is unlikely to be developed for any
other use.
WTPL/Bob Macdonald

Where this cannot be achieved we would like to be able to

influence how the land near our sites is used. For example,
land used for grazing is more sympathetic than arable; if the
use has to be arable, we would want to encourage the farmer
not to plough right up to the woodland edge.

We are also interested in the positive action that is going on

around us. Are there old growth sites nearby? Is coppicing
occurring? What is going on that will complement our habitat
and offer continuity?
 Woodland operations
VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 13

The key to answering these questions lies in

boundary
establishing a dialogue with neighbouring landowners.
In return, where possible, we can offer advice on our

changes
areas of expertise; be it caring for ancient trees, the
best way to restore ancient woods planted with

The
conifers, establishing new native woodland and so on.

If you are a volunteer who regularly visits one of our

regional
woods, you are potentially in a stronger position to boundaries
glean knowledge on what is going on locally than a that dictate
woodland officer who may be located many miles away. where our
Volunteers have long been our ‘eyes and ears’ on the woodland
ground and on many occasions, problems have been officers and
averted through tip offs to our woodland officers. regional
managers
YOU ARE POTENTIALLY IN A STRONGER are
POSITION TO GLEAN KNOWLEDGE ON operating
WHAT IS GOING ON LOCALLY have
altered
While we would like to be able to give more attention
slightly. If you work
to what is happening near all of our woods, resources
in a Trust wood and
dictate that we must prioritise. Over the next few
your staff contact has
years we will be introducing a phased programme
changed, we will have
where woodland officers will target particular sites. In
contacted you. If in
these areas, a plan of action will be drawn up and we
doubt, please get in
will approach volunteers working in these particular
touch.
woods, inviting them to help us build local knowledge
and contacts.

In the meantime, please continue to do what you are

doing so well – caring for our woods inside and out.
WTPL/Keith Huggett

Green your neighbourhood

It’s that fabulous time of year

WTPL/Jim Christie
again where the nights draw in,
the air takes on a chill, children
head back to school and the
conditions become perfect for
planting trees.
Once again, hundreds of
Tree For All events are being
planned across the country.
Through Tree For All we want
to plant 12 million trees and offer every child the chance to plant a tree.
This year we really need your help. Log on to our website to find an event
near you, come along and encourage others to join you.
Or, if you are part of a group that wants to do something on a larger scale,
organise a tree-planting event of your own and register it with us.
The website gives tips on how to go about it, including how to get a grant.
We know that when a child plants a tree it is truly inspiring and their
enthusiasm is infectious. This is your chance to experience it.
www.treeforall.org.uk/GetDigging
14 email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk tel: 01476 581111

WO O D L A N D G RO U P S
Reap the benefits of a ‘green gym’
Joining a local woodland conservation group is an excellent way to get fit. And it has the added benefits of helping the
environment and providing a chance to meet like-minded people.
If the idea appeals, have a look at the list of groups highlighted on the Community Woodland Network website. There are active
groups all over the country with the majority always keen to have new members join them.
Volunteer tasks will vary depending on the nature of the woodland and the specific management plan they are following.
They could include coppicing, footpath maintenance, habitat creation, tree planting and cutting, guided walks and other events.
For more information visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/cwngroups

We have involved our local MP, Charles

My Patch
WTPL/Robert MacLeod

Hendry and, with others, have secured

coverage on local TV.
A s the Woodland
The Woodland Trust has been
very supportive. It has given us lots
Trust unveils its

of advice and we share the same lawyer!

Woodwatch
project, Mike

limestone outcrops. This is a very

Pope of My eyes have been opened

sensitive ecological area.

Downlands Action enormously by this campaign.
Group describes We must preserve what we have. If we
the local campaign to save ancient woods in allow this to go ahead, this rich
landscape will be lost for ever.
The plans will affect two ancient
Uckfield, Sussex from a housing development
woodland ghylls dating back to
My town of Uckfield sits in a the ice age. These areas contain To find out the latest on the
natural topographical bowl. unique flora and fauna. campaign in Uckfield and how you
A line of trees forms a natural shield to can oppose it, go to the ‘case studies’
the north. There is now a proposal to
Downlands Action Group was
area at www.woodwatch.org.uk
build 750 houses on the north-facing
actively campaigning against the
plans for the whole of 2007. The
slope – potentially rudely interrupting
case and the Group’s involvement is
the view from the nearby High Weald.
ongoing. We knocked on doors and
The Woodland Trust’s Lake gathered a petition containing 500
Wood adjoins the proposed site. signatures. After the developer’s appeal,
It’s a wonderful wood containing ancient we compiled a second petition
woodland and a lake surrounded by containing over 1,000 signatures. Lake Wood

Sign up to Woodwatch Woodwatch resources

and start saving • A map showing where there are ancient woods or
trees under threat in your area
woods now!
The Woodland Trust’s brand new Woodwatch scheme has
• Advice on how to fight a successful campaign including
information on the planning process and gaining public
now been launched offering people a host of resources and support for your case
opportunities to help them save woods and trees more • The opportunity to link up with other campaigners
effectively than ever.
• Details of how to report a new ‘threat’ to the
Woodland Trust
To sign up, visit www.woodwatch.org.uk
 VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 15

O U T O F T H E WO O D S
Volunteering for the Woodland Trust does not have to involve
working in the woods. Roles are many and varied.
She said: ‘I had a major operation several years ago and visiting
How woods woodland helped me to recover from this. My late mother also
enjoyed visiting woodland, especially Penn Wood, very much.
healed me ‘In woodland I feel a peace falling around me like a cloak, it’s

Volunteer Lesley Nickell has supported the Woodland Trust’s just wonderful.’

Christmas Card Recycling Scheme since it was first started 12 Lesley is already gearing up for this year’s Christmas Card
years ago. Recycling Scheme and is urging others to also get involved.

In that time she has worked tirelessly year on year to She said: ‘Please help the charity collect as many cards as
encourage people to collect their cards and in total the possible this year. The woodland created from these recycled
scheme has so far enabled the charity to plant 140,000 trees. cards will last long into the future for all to enjoy.’

Lesley, of Stratford-upon-Avon, said: “When the Christmas To volunteer your help give us a call, send an email or
Card Recycling Scheme was first set up I had to get involved download posters from our website. Log onto
because I was so concerned about the millions of cards which www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/cards
were being thrown into bins and dumped into landfill.
“IN WOODLAND I FEEL A PEACE FALLING
AROUND ME LIKE A CLOAK...”
‘The most wonderful thing about this scheme is that the
number of cards recycled directly relates to the number of
trees planted, as well as the participation of so many people
which raises awareness and results in tree planting.
‘I regularly go walking in Eove’s Wood, which was planted by
Woods on your Doorstep about ten years ago, and love seeing
how the trees grow larger and stronger each year.’
Lesley’s lifelong enjoyment of trees has had a profound affect
on her life.

Volunteer vacancy – helping staff to grow

The Woodland Trust recognises that its staff are one of its greatest assets. Mentoring and skills coaching for staff can help them
to grow, enhancing their abilities and job satisfaction. In turn, this helps the Trust to become more successful.
We are looking for a small number of volunteers who would like to take on the role of mentor or skills coach. We need strong
communicators with excellent interpersonal skills. You would also have an ability to probe and explore issues, challenge and
support. Finally, you would need to have expertise in an area that would be compatible with a skill we would like the staff
member to develop.
This is a highly rewarding role that can also help you to develop your skills.
Please get in touch if you would like to find out more and we will send you further details.

We welcome contributions to this newsletter.

Short items or ideas for longer articles can be sent to:

email: newslettereditor@woodlandtrust.org.uk

post: Sallyanne Flemons, Editor, the Volunteer Newsletter,

The Woodland Trust, Autumn Park, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 6LL
16 email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk tel: 01476 581111

N E W S & C O N TAC T S
Neighbours go nuts
for hazel
New Trust offices
will set an example

WTPL/Brian Aldrich
Volunteers in Felixstowe The end of the lease on our current office means that the
have been doing the Woodland Trust has embarked on a new building project
neighbours a favour by which aims to prove how green design can be low cost and
lending their homegrown
efficient.When it is built, staff will move just across the road

beans a helping hand.

from their existing office in Grantham, Lincolnshire that the
charity has outgrown.
The Abbey Grove group
have been hard at work
The building will have built-in environmental features leading
to reduced use of heating, lighting and energy – and looks
coppicing hazel in their local likely to be timber clad.
wood and offering the
offcuts to allotment holders next door. The wood is an ideal
The Trust’s chief executive, Sue Holden, said, ‘We want offices
that are both inspirational and as environmentally efficient as
native alternative to the bamboo canes used for supporting we can make them, while keeping a firm hold on costs.’
climbing plants. By next year, the whole allotment should be
bamboo free.
If all goes to plan, the move will take place in 2010.

Vision rewarded
As well as collecting 46 mobile phones, five inkjet cartridges
and literally tonnes of Christmas cards for the Woodland Trust,
Ian Karpinski has accumulated 801 pairs of glasses for Vision
Aid. These are all being recycled and will generate donations
for the charities.

Ian’s incredible efforts have now been recognised by his

employers at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
and he has been given a ‘Sustainability in the Department
Award’. He has around 14,000 colleagues based at the

The credits
Newcastle DWP site alone so being singled out for a national
award is no mean feat. Congratulations Ian.

Getting in touch Thanks to the following volunteers who have helped

with this issue:
The Woodland Trust
Mandy Brilliant, Joanne Lifford,
Autumn Park, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 6LL proofreader picture researcher
Tel: 01476 581111 Lynda Brown, Phil Marshall,
feature writer ancient tree editor
BT Textdirect: 18001 01476 581135
Andi Clevely, Frances Nichols,
email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk feature writer proofreader
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/volunteering Mandy Hillier,
feature writer

Please recycle this newsletter or reuse it by leaving it in a public …and to those who agreed to be interviewed, completed
place like a library or doctor’s surgery. questionnaires or provided images free of charge.

The Woodland Trust logo is a registered trademark The Woodland Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales No. 294344 and in Scotland SC038885.
A non-profit making company limited by guarantee Registered in England No. 1982873 Á Printed on 100% recycled paper 3873 09/08