erra - friends of danby wood
DANBY WOOD WORK DAY - SATURDAY 16TH NOVEMBER
Saturday 17th November was the perfect day for working in the wood. This session saw our Action Team taking the lead on several tasks with the help of 32 enthusiastic volunteers. As usual we had a bonfire and our welcome tea break and catch up with volunteers.
A vast variety of work consisted of the planting of young trees and litter picking, cutting back selected ivy from trees, removing fallen and damaged tree, plus clearance in preparation for a wildflower glade.
FRIENDS OF DANBY WOOD RECEIVE 'GRANTS FOR ALL' LOTTERY FUNDING
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Friends of Danby Wood and the residents from Eaton Rise Residents Association are celebrating success with their application from Grants For All Lottery Fund having been awarded £9,869!
Friends of Danby Wood was launched in June 2016 and since then the group has grown from strength to strength with over 40 volunteers of all abilities and ranging in age from 12-80 years. All with a passion for working together to improve access, biodiversity and environment for wildlife and visitor alike. The greater part of the wood is owned by Norwich City Council with a smaller section owned by Eaton Golf Course. It was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1984, and the area owned by Norwich City Council is maintained by The Norwich Fringe, over the past three years FODW has acted as a support group to them. Since spring 2019 FODW have created an Action Team of six of their volunteers who have undergone management training and are in the process of doing a First Aid course. |
Members of the Action Team:
From back left to right - Les Rowlands, Tim Simpson Front left to right- Kathleen Rowlands, Nigel Cooper, plus Jane Simpson & Alan Shilling (not shown) |
This training and the welcome grant funding will enable Friends of Danby Wood to work more frequently and independently following the guidance of a Management plan put in place by Norwich City Council.
Kathleen Rowlands spokesperson for the group said, " We have really developed as a community recognising our individual strengths so that there is a place and job for everyone within the group. We don't expect volunteers to be able to do heavy work but we like to encourage people to do jobs that they're happy with for example litter picking, planting seeds and trees, to cutting back ivy and, for those more active building steps or repair work. We all work together and each job is as valuable as the next, it's all about teamwork. Watching our two youngest volunteers aged 12 working alongside our more mature volunteers is a joy. We try not to let age, gender and ability be a problem. One of the highlights of this group is for a break halfway through work to engage with each other over a hot drink and homemade cakes, especially rewarding if we have a bonfire on the go. It's great to see so many friendships having been forged.
Kathleen Rowlands spokesperson for the group said, " We have really developed as a community recognising our individual strengths so that there is a place and job for everyone within the group. We don't expect volunteers to be able to do heavy work but we like to encourage people to do jobs that they're happy with for example litter picking, planting seeds and trees, to cutting back ivy and, for those more active building steps or repair work. We all work together and each job is as valuable as the next, it's all about teamwork. Watching our two youngest volunteers aged 12 working alongside our more mature volunteers is a joy. We try not to let age, gender and ability be a problem. One of the highlights of this group is for a break halfway through work to engage with each other over a hot drink and homemade cakes, especially rewarding if we have a bonfire on the go. It's great to see so many friendships having been forged.
Our Action Team worked hard to put together a strong application and we are thrilled with the outcome. This will enable us to buy essential tools, protective clothing, materials for repairing steps and creating new steps to make the various levels of the wood more accessible and continue to improve the car park. We will be looking to create glades to encourage more wildlife, including bees and butterflies by planting more trees, bluebells and wildflower seeds.
Plans are being drawn up to create circular footpath walks, these will be shown by posts throughout the wood. Signage is high on our list with an interpretation board showing the colourful history of the site from 1797 with the chalk mining / lime working community to the present day as a Local Nature Reserve, (one of nine in Norwich). Recently we have encouraged year 6 children to visit the wood and in the future we would like to see the wood being used as an outdoor classroom for local schools and families educating children on the benefits of woodlands for everyone, including making bird boxes, identification of trees, flowers, bugs and hopefully bring in a visit from a bird of prey handler and owl. These plans are all ongoing but there's plenty to do for now.
Our next work morning will be on Saturday 16th November 10am-2pm new volunteers are welcome”. For more information contact Kathleen: [email protected]
Plans are being drawn up to create circular footpath walks, these will be shown by posts throughout the wood. Signage is high on our list with an interpretation board showing the colourful history of the site from 1797 with the chalk mining / lime working community to the present day as a Local Nature Reserve, (one of nine in Norwich). Recently we have encouraged year 6 children to visit the wood and in the future we would like to see the wood being used as an outdoor classroom for local schools and families educating children on the benefits of woodlands for everyone, including making bird boxes, identification of trees, flowers, bugs and hopefully bring in a visit from a bird of prey handler and owl. These plans are all ongoing but there's plenty to do for now.
Our next work morning will be on Saturday 16th November 10am-2pm new volunteers are welcome”. For more information contact Kathleen: [email protected]
bat boxes
A small team of our resident volunteers joined forces with Matt Davies from the Norwich Fringe and one of his volunteers to put up bat boxes which have been made in recycled wood by Eric Wilson who is one of our volunteers. They are now awaiting bats to move in. Special thanks to Eric for the lovely boxes and Les and Chris for putting them up.
Click on a photograph for larger image
anglia in bloom
We were visited by the judges from Anglia in Bloom in July and entered into the woodland category for the Anglia region covering six counties. In September we were informed that we have been given a silver gilt award. Well done to our incredible team of volunteers.
On Saturday 6th October we held a work session attracting 20 volunteers who carried out clearance of an area adjacent to the golf course boundary. Our team of litter pickers did a great job too. As usual we had a bonfire and a welcome break with hot drinks, cake and a catch up. These work mornings are a fantastic community event enjoyed by all.
On Saturday 6th October we held a work session attracting 20 volunteers who carried out clearance of an area adjacent to the golf course boundary. Our team of litter pickers did a great job too. As usual we had a bonfire and a welcome break with hot drinks, cake and a catch up. These work mornings are a fantastic community event enjoyed by all.
workday - Saturday 25th November
An update on works carried out this last Saturday 25th November. The weather was frosty but it didn't deter 20 of our volunteers from turning out to help with further clearance of two trees that had been previously taken down by Matt and his colleague. Chris soon had us warmed up with a very welcome bonfire.
Once the trees had been cleared and were fuelling the fire we had a well deserved break and chat with hot drinks, mince pies and this time Chris Stebbing made some rather nice scones. Feeling refreshed we then cracked on with the planting of around 300 native plants including; common oak, blackthorn, hawthorn, hazel, silver birch, rowan, donated to us by the Woodland Trust. Work was completed by 2pm, a fantastic job well done everyone.
Unfortunately some of our regular volunteers couldn't make it on the day but it was really nice to see new faces in the group after our recent item in the Just Regional magazine.
Matt will be providing me with the work plan for 2018 in due course but I think that our first session will be in February. I'll confirm the date and what work is to be done with you as soon as I know.
This is probably my last update for this year so I'd like to say a big 'Thank You' to each of you for your amazing continued support during 2017. Out of interest I've tallied up all the collective work hours that we have done this year and it comes to a staggering 378hrs. That is incredible and the work achieved is far more than Matt had planned for us so well done you should all feel very proud.
All that's left to say is I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope to see you in 2018 for more woodland activities. Take care,
Kathleen.
Once the trees had been cleared and were fuelling the fire we had a well deserved break and chat with hot drinks, mince pies and this time Chris Stebbing made some rather nice scones. Feeling refreshed we then cracked on with the planting of around 300 native plants including; common oak, blackthorn, hawthorn, hazel, silver birch, rowan, donated to us by the Woodland Trust. Work was completed by 2pm, a fantastic job well done everyone.
Unfortunately some of our regular volunteers couldn't make it on the day but it was really nice to see new faces in the group after our recent item in the Just Regional magazine.
Matt will be providing me with the work plan for 2018 in due course but I think that our first session will be in February. I'll confirm the date and what work is to be done with you as soon as I know.
This is probably my last update for this year so I'd like to say a big 'Thank You' to each of you for your amazing continued support during 2017. Out of interest I've tallied up all the collective work hours that we have done this year and it comes to a staggering 378hrs. That is incredible and the work achieved is far more than Matt had planned for us so well done you should all feel very proud.
All that's left to say is I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope to see you in 2018 for more woodland activities. Take care,
Kathleen.
Workday Saturday 21st October 2017.
Our fabulous group of volunteers yesterday taking time out from work in Danby Wood to have a group photo with our recent award, silver gilt certificate and hand turned wooden trophy for 'Best Woodland' in the Anglia in Bloom competition.
We had a record breaking number of volunteers out this Saturday when 31 of us worked at clearing an area ready for planting the Woodland Trust trees which arrive in November. We also planted 2,000 daffodil bulbs in Danby park donated to us by Notcutts, and a team went out on a litter pick to tidy up after summer. A highly productive mornings work 'Well done team!'
Our next session is to be held on Saturday 25th November 2017 at 10 am meeting in Marston Lane car park, when we will be planting young trees. All welcome, Kathleen.
We had a record breaking number of volunteers out this Saturday when 31 of us worked at clearing an area ready for planting the Woodland Trust trees which arrive in November. We also planted 2,000 daffodil bulbs in Danby park donated to us by Notcutts, and a team went out on a litter pick to tidy up after summer. A highly productive mornings work 'Well done team!'
Our next session is to be held on Saturday 25th November 2017 at 10 am meeting in Marston Lane car park, when we will be planting young trees. All welcome, Kathleen.
ANGLIA IN BLOOM AWARD
I'm just home from the Anglia in Bloom Awards in Gorleston and I'm very pleased to let you know that we won a silver gilt certificate and beautiful hand turned bowl for ' Best Woodland' in the woodland category throughout the Anglia region, so well done to you all. I was very proud to pick this award up on your behalf and I hope that you are all extremely proud of our achievement. I will bring the bowl to our next meeting on Saturday 21st October for you all to see and I'll try and arrange for us to have a group photo with the bowl. Thank you all for your amazing support!
Kathleen Rowlands
Kathleen Rowlands
UPDATE 5 AUGUST 2017
As you may know, we have been entered into the Anglia in Bloom community awards this year for our work with the Friends of Danby Wood. This is in the woodland category and covers the entire region of Anglia.
On Sunday 16th July we had a team of 8 litter pickers out to do clearing up prior to the judges visit. It wasn't too bad actually and the litter we collected was all taken back to our individual domestic bins. The board got a good scrub too! It looks much improved. It all took less than an hour.
The judges arrived on Monday 17th July and Chris Higgins and I met up with them and took them through the wood explaining what had been done so far and our aims for the future. They were really amazed at the wood and its history. Eric and I had put together a glossy brochure for them which they went 'wow' at, obviously very impressed. Huge thanks to Eric for putting up with me and producing such a professional brochure. The judges remarked on how great it was that new steps had been put in to offer better access and we explained about our clearance and planting work. The results come out in September so fingers crossed. Recognition such as this would help when applying for grants, plants etc. in the future.
I need bottles please
If you received a recent copy of our newsletter you will have seen that Eaton Rise Residents Association is holding an Autumn Fair at the church on Saturday 2nd September 10 - 1. The profits from some of the stalls will be going to our Friends of Danby Wood Fund. I intend organising a bottle tombola for this event so I'd be grateful for any donations please? It can be anything in a bottle from baby bio, shower gel, ketchup, drinks of any kind including wine and fizz or even a ship in a bottle! Almost anything really that comes in a bottle. If you do have a donation please either drop it round to me at 60 Ipswich Rd or let me know and I'll pick it up from you. Plus it would be good to see you all on the day if you can make it, but come early if you want nice cakes, preserves and plants they always go quickly. I almost said like hot cakes!
Dates for your diary
Matt has given me two dates for our next workdays.
Saturday October 21st - work will involve clearance, litter pick and bonfire in the wood, and planting of bulbs in Danby park. These will be all native bulbs and I am hoping that they will be sponsored by Notcutts.
Saturday November 25th - planting of 420 Woodland Trust whips in area previously cleared. As with all these planting days it really is all hands please, we don't want them to die on us.
I'll send out a reminder on these dates in September.
I'd like to add that Matt is taking paternity leave during August as he and his wife Cassie are expecting their new baby, hence no earlier work days. I'm sure that you will all want to join me in wishing them well.
Kathleen
On Sunday 16th July we had a team of 8 litter pickers out to do clearing up prior to the judges visit. It wasn't too bad actually and the litter we collected was all taken back to our individual domestic bins. The board got a good scrub too! It looks much improved. It all took less than an hour.
The judges arrived on Monday 17th July and Chris Higgins and I met up with them and took them through the wood explaining what had been done so far and our aims for the future. They were really amazed at the wood and its history. Eric and I had put together a glossy brochure for them which they went 'wow' at, obviously very impressed. Huge thanks to Eric for putting up with me and producing such a professional brochure. The judges remarked on how great it was that new steps had been put in to offer better access and we explained about our clearance and planting work. The results come out in September so fingers crossed. Recognition such as this would help when applying for grants, plants etc. in the future.
I need bottles please
If you received a recent copy of our newsletter you will have seen that Eaton Rise Residents Association is holding an Autumn Fair at the church on Saturday 2nd September 10 - 1. The profits from some of the stalls will be going to our Friends of Danby Wood Fund. I intend organising a bottle tombola for this event so I'd be grateful for any donations please? It can be anything in a bottle from baby bio, shower gel, ketchup, drinks of any kind including wine and fizz or even a ship in a bottle! Almost anything really that comes in a bottle. If you do have a donation please either drop it round to me at 60 Ipswich Rd or let me know and I'll pick it up from you. Plus it would be good to see you all on the day if you can make it, but come early if you want nice cakes, preserves and plants they always go quickly. I almost said like hot cakes!
Dates for your diary
Matt has given me two dates for our next workdays.
Saturday October 21st - work will involve clearance, litter pick and bonfire in the wood, and planting of bulbs in Danby park. These will be all native bulbs and I am hoping that they will be sponsored by Notcutts.
Saturday November 25th - planting of 420 Woodland Trust whips in area previously cleared. As with all these planting days it really is all hands please, we don't want them to die on us.
I'll send out a reminder on these dates in September.
I'd like to add that Matt is taking paternity leave during August as he and his wife Cassie are expecting their new baby, hence no earlier work days. I'm sure that you will all want to join me in wishing them well.
Kathleen
DANBY WOOD BLOG
There is an interesting blog about Danby Wood, posted by Chris Stebbing on the Norwich Fringe Project Blog Site here:
danby wood work session - Saturday 13th may 2017
Thank you to those who came to our work session on Saturday 13th May, what a productive morning. We managed to get the new steps in and although a challenge due to the rubble and roots our boys made a sterling effort and did us proud. These steps along with the previous steps have both been given a layer of chipping and are looking good. Special thanks to Jo, Jill and Irene who surpassed themselves by laying the chipping, I know Jill surprised herself! We also did some weed clearance (mostly nettles) from around the base of our new trees and another litter pick which Chris took very seriously and brought back all manner of debris including meters of old wire, so if your phones down you know who to blame😄. It was a great morning and even though we worked hard we also had a lot of fun and lots of laughing could be heard through the wood. Thank you team.
We now have a Facebook page set up by Nigel and we will be adding photos and updates to this as we go, if you are on FB then you can join the group and see for yourselves. Friends of Danby Wood (Norwich) If you're one of my Friends then I've probably already added you to the group.
No date set as yet for our next session but I do know that Matt has recognised the area we will be working in which will need clearance, and yes we will have a bonfire.
I applied to the Woodland Trust on behalf of our group for free trees and I recently heard that our application was successful so 420 native whips will be arriving in November which means we need to have done our clearance by then. I'll get back to you on that.
I'd like to say how impressed I am at the support you are all giving to this project, a group of us left the wood yesterday feeling very happy, I think Nigel would have skipped home if I'd let him!
Katherine
We now have a Facebook page set up by Nigel and we will be adding photos and updates to this as we go, if you are on FB then you can join the group and see for yourselves. Friends of Danby Wood (Norwich) If you're one of my Friends then I've probably already added you to the group.
No date set as yet for our next session but I do know that Matt has recognised the area we will be working in which will need clearance, and yes we will have a bonfire.
I applied to the Woodland Trust on behalf of our group for free trees and I recently heard that our application was successful so 420 native whips will be arriving in November which means we need to have done our clearance by then. I'll get back to you on that.
I'd like to say how impressed I am at the support you are all giving to this project, a group of us left the wood yesterday feeling very happy, I think Nigel would have skipped home if I'd let him!
Katherine
Before After
DANBY WOOD WORK SESSION - 21ST JANUARY
Yet another good turn out of 24 volunteers of all ages and abilities. Matt started work at 8.30 am felling more sycamore trees in the glade, so by the time we all arrived at 10am we were able to start the bonfire and clear logs and branches.
A group went off litter picking and filled several bags for disposal along with various bits of old metal, possibly dating back to when there were industrial workings on the site. After a well deserved break with hot drinks and buns we continued work on planting 100 whips that Matt provided. These included Birch, Lime, Crab Apple, Spindle, Hazel, Guelder Rose, Horn Beam, Rowan and Field Maple. Finally three large trees were tackled that were overrun with Ivy.
Our next workday will be on Saturday 13th May 2017 10am - 2pm. As always, come along for as long as you want - no pressure..
Our next workday will be on Saturday 13th May 2017 10am - 2pm. As always, come along for as long as you want - no pressure..
DANBY WOOD WORK SESSION - 21ST OCTOBER
We had a highly productive day in Danby wood last Saturday (22nd Oct). An impressive 26 volunteers came out aged 9 to 75yrs, all with varying skills and abilities but all with huge amounts of enthusiasm.
The work carried out involved the reinstatement of the steps leading from Marston Lane into the wood. The planting of 2,000 native bluebells, clearance and cutting back of a large area near the steps, and a litter pick. We had a bonfire to clear the debris and several bags of litter / rubbish were removed from the site. Our volunteers were under the supervision of Matt Davies from The Norwich Fringe, and everyone had a great time. Another work day will follow in the New Year
The work carried out involved the reinstatement of the steps leading from Marston Lane into the wood. The planting of 2,000 native bluebells, clearance and cutting back of a large area near the steps, and a litter pick. We had a bonfire to clear the debris and several bags of litter / rubbish were removed from the site. Our volunteers were under the supervision of Matt Davies from The Norwich Fringe, and everyone had a great time. Another work day will follow in the New Year
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Steps before work
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Steps after work completed
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Clearance work
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Burning debris
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Rubbish Collecting
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danby wood plant survey
Over recent months, Janet Higgins an Eaton village resident and member of our Friends of Danby Wood has carried out an extensive survey of the plant life in Danby Wood. It shows how species rich the woods are and we thank Janet for her time and enthusiasm in carrying out this survey.
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Species and Common name
Acer campestre Field Maple Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Aegopodium podagraria Ground-elder Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard Allium ursinum Ramsons Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Aquilegia vulgaris Columbine Arabidopsis thaliana Thale Cress Arctium minus Lesser burdock Arum maculatum Lords-and-Ladies Atriplex patula Common Orache Ballota nigra Black horehound Barbarea vulgaris Winter-cress Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's-purse Cardamine flexuosa Wavy Bitter-cress Carex pendula Pendulous Sedge Chaerophyllum temulentum Rough chervil Circaea lutetiana Enchanter's-nightshade Cirsium arvense Creeping thistle Cirsium vulgare Spear thistle Conium maculatum Hemlock Convolvulus arvensis Field bindweed Conyza canadensis Canadian fleabane Conyza sumatrensis Guernsey Fleabane Corylus avellana Hazel Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern Epilobium ciliatum American Willowherb Equisetum arvense Field horsetail Euphorbia peplus Petty Spurge Fagus sylvatica Beech Fraxinus excelsior Ash Galanthus elwesii Greater Snowdrop Galanthus nivalis Snowdrop Galium aparine Cleavers Geranium pusillum Small-flowered Crane's-bill Geranium pyrenaicum Hedgerow Crane's-bill Geranium robertianum Herb-robert Geranium rotundifolium Round-leaved Crane's-bill Geum urbanum Wood Avens Hedera helix Common Ivy Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Humulus lupulus Hop Hyacinthoides x massartiana Hybrid bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell |
Species and Common name
Ilex aquifolium Holly Impatiens parviflora Small Balsam Juncus bufonius Toad rush Lamium album White Dead-nettle Lapsana communis Nipplewort Ligustrum ovalifolium Garden Privet Ligustrum vulgare Wild Privet Medicago lupulina Black medick Myosotis sylvatica Wood Forget-me-not Papaver rhoeas Common Poppy Plantago lanceolata Ribwort plantain Plantago major Greater plantain Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Poa trivialis Rough meadow-grass Potentilla reptans Creeping cinquefoil Prunus domestica Wild Plum Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. raphanistrum Wild Radish Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Rhododendron ponticum Rhododendron Rosa canina Dog-rose Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble agg. Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Rumex sanguineus Wood Dock Sambucus nigra Elder Senecio jacobaea Ragwort Silene dioica Red campion Silene latifolia White Campion Sonchus asper Prickly sow-thistle Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort Stellaria media Common chickweed Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry Symphytum orientale White Comfrey Taraxacum agg. Dandelion Tilia x europaea Lime Trifolium repens White Clover Tussilago farfara Colt's-foot Ulmus glabra Wych Elm Ulmus minor Elm Urtica dioica Common nettle Veronica arvensis Wall Speedwell Veronica beccabunga Brooklime Veronica persica Common Field-speedwell Viola arvensis Field Pansy Viola odorata Sweet Violet |
How Danby Wood has evolved:
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Danby wood is one of eight local nature reserves in Norwich. It forms part of a network of natural green spaces in the city, and includes woodlands and meadows. Giving us an opportunity to walk, play, watch wildlife or just enjoy some fresh air. These green spaces add to the biodiversity (the variety of life, from tiny bugs to huge oak trees) of the city. A city rich in biodiversity is a cleaner, healthier environment for all. Today these sites are actively managed to retain their conservation importance.
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The area that we now know of as Danby Wood was originally known as Harford Hills and as we can see on Fadens Norfolk map of 1797, it is shown to have a lime kiln on the site, with work thought to have started from 1790 but it is possible that some form of lime quarrying took place before then. Areas of Norwich had been mined for chalk and flint since at least the 12th century.
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The 1883 Ordnance Survey map shows a significant settlement at Harford Bridges lime works. Several lime pits, tanks, a draw well and other buildings are shown and there is an area near the Ipswich Road marked as 'brickworks'
Up until the early 1900s Danby Wood was still a working quarry, an industrial site where chalk was dug from tunnels or from the valley sides and turned into lime. The steep sides of the quarry are still visible today and underground there is a network of sealed tunnels, some of which run under the Eaton golf course. Part of this labyrinth of tunnels was used more recently as the Eaton Auxiliary Unit Patrol hide during the Second World War. In 1919 the site was purchased by Norwich Corporation (now Norwich City Council). Quarrying finished in the 1930s and thereafter the site has been taken over by Mother Nature and colonised by trees and plants. The 4.5 hectare known as Danby Wood was declared a local nature reserve in 1984. |
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1921 view from Eaton Golf Course (current 7th green) looking towards Danby Wood and lime kiln workings in centre and left
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Entrance to the cave - now closed.
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In the 1990s a management plan was drawn up for Norwich City Council. The aims were to create and maintain an uneven aged tree structure with enhanced glades and paths to encourage sympathetic use by the public.
It is not known for sure when the name Danby Wood was adopted but possibly the name came about when Eaton Rise was built during the 1950's and the names were given to the roads, Danby Close being the nearest road to the wood. The name was used in recognition of the Irish born artist Francis Danby 1793-1861 who was a contemporary of John Constable
Flora & Fauna
Sycamore and ash are the most common trees in the wood. Lime, beech and oak are also present. Snowdrops, dog violets, lords and ladies, bluebells and celandine can be seen in the spring. In autumn, look out for fungi they come in a range of colours sizes and textures.
The wood supports a wide variety of small woodland birds including tits, chaffinches, wrens and blackbirds. Larger birds such as jays, green woodpeckers and tawny owls are all present.
Grey squirrels and bats are the most commonly seen mammals but others include wood mice, hedgehogs, Muntjac deer and foxes.
Grey squirrels and bats are the most commonly seen mammals but others include wood mice, hedgehogs, Muntjac deer and foxes.
In summer you may see common woodland butterflies such as speckled wood, tortoiseshell and small white butterflies in the glades or open areas. Dead wood is left onsite to encourage beetles, wood lice, snails and a host of other insects.
ERRA Friends of Danby Wood
In recent years environmental issues and the passion for conservation have come to the fore and we are all becoming more aware of our surroundings and the importance of preserving our woodlands and open green spaces.
Eaton Rise Residents Association has always been keen to preserve and improve the environment for its residents. As the Ipswich Road ancient hedge project confirms there are many of our volunteers who feel passionately enough about the vital role a community can play in the conservation of our hedges, woodlands and green spaces.
In late 2015 we contacted both the Norwich Fringe Countryside Management team and Norwich City Council to see if we could offer our support to the work already being carried out in the wood. After we had confirmation from them that indeed we could help we asked our residents via our regular newsletter if they would be interested in joining a Friends of Danby Wood group. We would be working under the guidance of Matt Davies from Norwich Fringe and Paul Holley from Norwich City Council, carrying out tasks such as litter picking, clearance, planting and possibly some wildlife surveys.
In late 2015 we contacted both the Norwich Fringe Countryside Management team and Norwich City Council to see if we could offer our support to the work already being carried out in the wood. After we had confirmation from them that indeed we could help we asked our residents via our regular newsletter if they would be interested in joining a Friends of Danby Wood group. We would be working under the guidance of Matt Davies from Norwich Fringe and Paul Holley from Norwich City Council, carrying out tasks such as litter picking, clearance, planting and possibly some wildlife surveys.
Matt Davies, Norwich Fringe Project Officer writes:
We have been working in partnership with Paul Holley, Norwich City Council's Natural Areas Officer, to manage this wonderful woodland habitat. In 2015, through funding from a Green Infrastructure grant, we have carried out a wide range of management work within the woodland.
This included a thin of the woodland trees to create an age structure to the woodland and to get light into the woodland floor, installing of bird and bat boxes throughout the woodland, restoring the hedgerow boundary with the park and resurfacing the main pathway making it more accessible.
The woodland has been deliberately left over the past 12 months to give it time to recover after the thinning work. It is now great to have this opportunity to involve members of the local community in the management of the woodland.
For more information about the work of the Norwich Fringe volunteers go to:www.norwichfringeproject.co.uk
We have been working in partnership with Paul Holley, Norwich City Council's Natural Areas Officer, to manage this wonderful woodland habitat. In 2015, through funding from a Green Infrastructure grant, we have carried out a wide range of management work within the woodland.
This included a thin of the woodland trees to create an age structure to the woodland and to get light into the woodland floor, installing of bird and bat boxes throughout the woodland, restoring the hedgerow boundary with the park and resurfacing the main pathway making it more accessible.
The woodland has been deliberately left over the past 12 months to give it time to recover after the thinning work. It is now great to have this opportunity to involve members of the local community in the management of the woodland.
For more information about the work of the Norwich Fringe volunteers go to:www.norwichfringeproject.co.uk
Our Volunteers.
To date we have around 30 interested residents who have signed up to help in some way. There is an age range of adults from twenty to mid seventies and they all bring something to the group but mainly they are linked by their interest and passion in this beautiful woodland. We are happy to hear from others and not necessarily those who live on Eaton Rise as we are aware of the many people who visit the woods on a regular basis and are keen to see it maintained, all are welcome. You don't need to be super fit, able to climb trees or wield heavy machinery, there is something for all ages and abilities.
If you are interested in joining us then please contact Kathleen by using the Contact Form at the bottom of this page. Keep an eye on this page or look out for our newsletter for updates and news about our activities.
Our first meeting was held on Tuesday July 10th. Matt Davies walked us through the wood and gave us an informative talk on the biodiversity of the wood, the management plan and what is planned for the future.
If you are interested in joining us then please contact Kathleen by using the Contact Form at the bottom of this page. Keep an eye on this page or look out for our newsletter for updates and news about our activities.
Our first meeting was held on Tuesday July 10th. Matt Davies walked us through the wood and gave us an informative talk on the biodiversity of the wood, the management plan and what is planned for the future.
Danby Wood watch
Eric Wilson, ERRA committee member and Homewatch Coordinator, has agreed to be our Danby Wood watch Coordinator. He is your link to various groups and advises on how to report in the first instance any problems you encounter in the wood such as noise, antisocial behaviour, fly tipping and the like. He will report back to committee and our residents and volunteers via our website and newsletter.
If you hear or see motorbike activity in the wood then do not get involved in confrontation. Make a note of the date and time and, if you can, also make a note of vehicle registration number(s) and description(s) of the rider(s). Please report the incident to the police using the non-urgent 101 number (calls cost 10p).
For this and other anti-social behaviour events, such as noise, vandalism and fly tipping, please contact the Neighbourhood Wardens on 03449803333 (option 2). Calls are charged as 01 or 02 numbers, depending on your phone package. This means you can use mobile or landline 'inclusive' minutes to call for free. Reports can also be made by email at [email protected] and in the case of a fly tipping or rubbish issue you can contact City Council directly via their website at: https://www.norwich.gov.uk/info/20010/environmentalissues
It would also be most helpful to report any incidents to Eric Wilson telephone 01603 455638 or email [email protected]
If you hear or see motorbike activity in the wood then do not get involved in confrontation. Make a note of the date and time and, if you can, also make a note of vehicle registration number(s) and description(s) of the rider(s). Please report the incident to the police using the non-urgent 101 number (calls cost 10p).
For this and other anti-social behaviour events, such as noise, vandalism and fly tipping, please contact the Neighbourhood Wardens on 03449803333 (option 2). Calls are charged as 01 or 02 numbers, depending on your phone package. This means you can use mobile or landline 'inclusive' minutes to call for free. Reports can also be made by email at [email protected] and in the case of a fly tipping or rubbish issue you can contact City Council directly via their website at: https://www.norwich.gov.uk/info/20010/environmentalissues
It would also be most helpful to report any incidents to Eric Wilson telephone 01603 455638 or email [email protected]
Kathleen Rowlands - ERRA Friends of Danby Wood co-ordinator