Friends Of Littleheath Woods
Gazette
Article
October 2009
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FRIENDS OF LITTLEHEATH WOODS In August, several members of the Littleheath Work Party and some from other ‘friends’ groups in Croydon attended a Woodland Management Workshop. This was an opportunity to learn how to utilise wood resulting from woodland operations. However, we already use our own coppiced wood for making temporary fencing and stakes and felled timber to make seats. We supply logs, pea sticks and bean sticks to the public. One day we may be able to sell our own charcoal! In October a group of children and their parents joined our Search for Seeds walk. This year the woods were abundant in seeds and fruits, quite different from last year when we had difficulty finding anything at all. It was very gratifying to see how enthusiastic the children were at searching for seeds and how knowledgeable they proved to be. The purpose of the annual Fungus Foray was for the Friends of Littleheath - together with an expert - to keep a record of the fungi in the woods from year to year. Despite the very dry weather, we found 33 different types of fungus. Fungi are important in the decaying process, converting dead wood and leaves to soil and nutrients for new life to begin. The good news that Croydon has
won the Work has continued on Tuesday mornings despite being rained off twice. The Cattle Pond has been cleared of debris and is now looking respectable. Weeding has been carried out in one of the coppiced areas, along Fallen Oak Field and around the young wild service trees. The barrier in front of the Green Pond has been replaced using coppiced material and the wood store where coppiced products are kept has been tidied up. If you are interested in Littleheath Woods and feel you have something to offer, then please ring 020 8651 4914 to find out how you can help. More information can be found on our website www.btinternet.com/~folw.croydon . Shirley Shephard
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