Jubilee wood planted at Northwich park (From Northwich Guardian)

Jubilee wood planted at Carey Park, in Northwich

8:30am Friday 10th February 2012 in News By Gina Bebbington

WOODLAND visitors for years to come will be able to enjoy the fruits of a jubilee wood newly created at a Northwich park.

A total of 420 saplings have been planted at Carey Park as a lasting legacy to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

As well as a commemorative royal oak, grown and nurtured on the royal estate, the wood is made up of trees from the Woodland Trust that will provide nuts and berries for thrifty foragers to make a whole host of preserves.

The initiative has been led by the Rotary Club of Northwich, with the help of countryside rangers and Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM).

Phil Wild, president of the Rotary Club of Northwich, said: “This is a great opportunity for Rotary to work with other groups to do something for the good of the town.

“Hopefully it will interest more people to come to the park – I don’t think people realise it’s here, how extensive it is or how pleasant.

“You wouldn’t think we were in the middle of a town.”

Carey Park, with its main gateway off Leicester Street, was created on a former landfill site and is named after Honorary Alderman Ron Carey.

Ranger Dave James said the jubilee woodland tapped into an old way of life that was making a comeback.

“People are taking more of an interest in jams, jellies, chutneys and foraging,” he said.

“It was part of our culture when we were growing up but there are a few generations that missed out.

“Now, with programmes on TV like Ray Mears, there’s a bit of a resurgence.”

Alan Redley, chairman of FoAM, said: “We were pleased to be asked by Rotary to help plant these trees.

“The opportunity in the future for people to collect berries will make it a real opportunity for people to engage with Carey Park.”

A WOODLAND allotment scheme is also being piloted at Carey Park.

The project, being carried out in conjunction with the Mersey Forest, gives people chance to harvest trees for wood.

It is open to FoAM members who pay £10, have a training course on how to fell trees safely and then have rows of trees allocated for them to use.

Ranger Dave James said: “It’s a good way of getting the community involved in the woodland, people develop a sense of ownership and it puts the woodland into economic use.

“It’s a pilot scheme at the moment but it seems to be working really well.”

Members of the scheme are permitted to fell their alloted trees through the winter months.

Bob Hudson, who joined the project in November, said: “I spent quite a lot on wood last year to keep the open fire going.

“Next winter I reckon I can save a lot of money and get a lot of exercise out of it.”

Dave said the project could also appeal to people interested in green wood crafts as well as those wanting wood for fuel.

The main project will start in September and for more information ring Dave on 01606 77741.