Hob Hey Wood Friends Group: first year

For me, it all started with a notice pinned to a tree. “Could you be a friend of Hob Hey Wood?” it asked. My wife and I were starting early retirement and were looking for things to do. Volunteering in a conservation capacity was top of the list so this opportunity appeared heaven sent: looking after the wood we loved so much.

It’s now eight months on and the group has been very active. Here, at the end of our first year of existence, I thought it worthwhile to document exactly what we’ve achieved this year.

Activities can be split into three areas: organisational, physical, and social media efforts.

The group now has a firm identity as the Hob Hey Wood Friends Group. We have a committee and a constitution. We have an email list for members (anyone can join; send us a request via Facebook or this website) and hold regular meetings. We also represent the group at Frodsham Town Council meetings.

Our bank account has just been set up and we’ve been successful in gaining about £3,000 of funding for support and equipment.

The most important work is, of course, the physical stuff in the wood! Several volunteer days have amassed over 150 hours of volunteer time. During this time we’ve made significant improvements to the paths and performed limited tree removal to open up the wood’s canopy for woodland flowers in the Spring. Our latest project involves clearing and planning a hedge to mark one of the boundaries.

For social media, we have this website and the Facebook page. The website has had nearly 400 visits from countries as far away as the USA and Australia. The Facebook group currently has 130 members and is quite active.

This coming year is going to be very busy! We’ve many more tasks to perform (coppicing, hedge planting, path improvement, signage etc.) We’re also planning to host a walk in May as part of the Frodsham Festival of Walks. Visitors should see ongoing improvements as they visit throughout the year.

We’re always on the lookout for new members (the more the merrier!). If you’re interested in attending the volunteer days or the meetings, the dates of these are publicised on the website and Facebook page. We look forward to seeing you in 2019, Happy New Year!