Small projects grants
Small Project Grants are awarded to projects that achieve the WCCF objectives and specifically that involve the community, improve the natural environment or promote enjoyment of the Community Forest. Successful applications are considered to be of public benefit, not required by planning or any other conditions, and appropriate to the ecology, landscape or archaeology of the area. Countryside Management Service administers the grant on behalf of WCCF. During 2003-2004 the Small Project Grants scheme funded a total of 19 projects with a total of £10,700. These grants helped a range of organisations carry out projects with a total value of almost £27,000. See below for some examples....
Brook Farm Open Space information board & leaflet
Brook Farm Open Space in Barnet is an area of remnant countryside, made up of a mosaic of small fields bounded by ancient hedgerows. Fields have been cut for hay over the years creating a grassland habitat where wild flowers and insects thrive.
The Friends of Brook Farm have worked with London Borough of Barnet and the Countryside Management Service in order to produce a 5-year management plan for the site. As part of this process a need was identified for on-site interpretation and a leaflet to raise awareness of the site to the local community, highlight its history, and explain how it benefits a wide range of wildlife. As well as this the board and leaflet would provide a map to put the site into context and guide people to areas of special interest.
The leaflet is now available from public places such as local libraries. It promotes the activities of the Friends of Brook Farm Open Space, encouraging people to join the group, and to play an active role in site management through conservation work. The interpretation board is helping to raise awareness of the site. It encourages people to walk to areas they may not normally visit, thus improving their health by increasing the amount of physical exercise they do.
View a pdf of the leaflet(pdf, 326kb)
Park Street hedge planting
In February 2004, 130 metres of new hedgerow were planted within the floodplain of the River Ver. Containing native species such as alder, guelder rose, hazel and hornbeam it should thrive in the fertile alluvial soil providing a valuable wildlife habitat and landscape feature in the future. The hedge is visible from the Ver Valley Walk where it crosses the wet pasture to the north east of Park Street village, St Albans.
Porters Park golf club
250m of new native hedgerow was planted to replace a very sparse line of conifers along the boundary of the Porters Park golf course and an arable field. The new hedge will provide a pleasant visual feature from both the course and a nearby housing estate. Linking with nearby hedges and woodland it will provide an effective wildlife corridor and enhance the wildlife value of the golf course itself. The project has led to the golf club rethinking its policy on the management and conservation of trees on the course. They are intending to plant more native oak trees this coming winter to preserve the local character of the landscape.
Salisbury Hall walled garden
This project involved planting 115m of new native species hedgerow and 37m of native willow screen within the Community Forest. The site is adjacent to a Bridleway, the Mosquito Museum and visible to the many drivers on the M25. The landowner is also planting fruit trees with guidance from the Hertfordshire Orchards Initiative.
Hill Farm, Radlett
A grant was paid towards the planting of 165 metres of new native hedgerow adjacent to a pathway. The hedgerow now forms part of a good network of hedgerows across the landholding. A grant was also paid towards restoring and restocking an old orchard with species appropriate to the county. This has ensured that the orchard will continue to provide spring flowers and autumn fruits for all to enjoy in years to come.
Shenleybury hedge and copse
More than 200m of new hedge was planted along the side of the main road between St Albans and Shenley. Volunteers from Shenley, with help from the CMS, Shenley Park and the Parish Council exceeded the 150m target they had set themselves. Many hundreds of people every day will enjoy the improvements to the landscape and the hedge will add to the local network of wildlife corridors. Groups of flowering shrubs were also planted near to the local bus stop.
Edgwarebury Park
Groups of oak trees grown from acorns collected in WCCF were planted in sturdy tree guards to ensure a continuation of oak trees in this old parkland setting.
Crossoaks Farm
A small projects grant was awarded to a landowner to create wildflower margins around his arable fields. 7.5km of 6 metre wide margins were sown with a wildflower species mix to encourage bees and other insects.
Birklands Meadow
The St Albans Community Forest Association (SACFA) continued their good work at Birklands Meadow. A small project grant was awarded to help with the cost of installing a new pathway and motorcycle inhibitor.
Kimptons Mead nature area and allotments.
Grant aid from WCCF and the Forestry Commission ensured important woodland management and site access works could be carried out on this small County Wildlife Site. A new path through the wood was created, and a new pedestrian gate allows easy access for local people from adjoining housing.
Woodhall Spinney
Woodhall Spinney is a small ancient oak/hornbeam woodland just south of Shenley Village. The ancient woodland is bound by an old ditch and bank, but it was extended in the early part of the twentieth century with a plantation of lime and horse chestnut. A WCCF small projects grant was used to clear a small part of the plantation and replant it with oak, hornbeam and wild cherry, and to clear some invasive species, such as sycamore, from the ancient woodland. The grant has also led to the formation of a local team of volunteers who want to be involved in looking after the woodland.
Ridge farm
Funding helped the owner of Ridge Farm to carry out more than a 100m of hedgerow management surrounding their paddocks. Works included coppicing and replanting of existing old hedgerows, planting new sections to create effective wildlife corridors and protecting the new planting from stock damage.
Ridge conservation area
A small grant and access to the CMS tree supply contract enabled Ridge Parish Council to carry out improvements to a small copse in the heart of the village. Invasive species were removed and new trees and shrubs were planted by volunteers.