Oakley Woodlands Group

Oakley Woodlands Group

Easily accessible to the public via a network of rides and informal paths Cowdown Copse and St Johns Copse are both ancient areas of woodland on the eastern boundary of Oakley village. Since 1996 the Oakley Woodland Group has managed the area with support from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, who lease the woodland from the Manydown Estate. They are restoring the coppice cycle and produce charcoal, pea sticks, beanpoles and fascines from the wood they cut. Working the woodland in this way benefits a number of plant species that inhabit the woodland. For more information on the conservation group contact Brian Slater via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .



 

Anniversary Celebration!



12 years ago the Borough Council organised an open meeting after Cowdown Copse and St John’s Copse were chosen for a Community Woodlands Project back in 1996.  As a result of that meeting the Oakley Woodlands Group was formed.

Since those early days the group has gone from strength to strength, developing the skills needed to restore the woodlands using traditional craft skills of woodsmen including coppicing, ride and path maintenance and charcoal burning. In addition to the main activity of woodland management, the Group also makes and sells a variety of products to help meet the costs of running the Group and organises family and educational events.

On 10th January 2008 in the presence of local councillors, the Mayor hosted an event to celebrate the group and their great achievement.  Those present watched a CD put together by the group depicting the work that has been done and their achievements so far.



The Mayor thanked all for attending and personally congratulated the Group on the hard work and dedication put into achieving these successes over the years. He commented that "Volunteers are invaluable and we are very lucky in the borough to have so many willing to contribute towards the improvement and maintenance of our local environment. It is therefore vital that we recognise and celebrate this and why events like this evening are so important."

Work party dates

All work parties start at 10am and finish at 1pm.  For work parties in St Johns Copse meet outside the gate to the woodland on St Johns Road.  For work parties in Cowdown meet in the lay-by on Fox Lane.  Please contact the group for information on dates.  Click here for our current Work Party Leaflet !