A monthly round-up from the Friends of Thorne Community Wood:
“There were spooky goings on at Thorne Community Wood last month, with sightings of ghosts and reports of other unnatural activities! On Halloween, the Friends of Thorne Community Wood ran a ‘Funnybones’ themed family activity, with crafts, messy play, a mystery trail and an interactive story walk through the wood. After dark there was a ghost walk round the site for the older children. The Isle of Axholme and Hatfield Chase Landscape Partnership helped out with the walk, as well as providing bat detectors for some bat spotting after the ghost story. Unfortunately no bats were detected, but walks earlier in the year have show that they are active on the site. The day time activities were funded by the Operation Anticipate grant from DMBC, South Yorkshire Fire Service and other organisations, to whom the Friends are very grateful.
“The wood has not escaped the effects of the recent flooding. Overspill from several points on the canal onto ground that was already waterlogged resulted in the worst flooding ever seen on the site. Large sections were underwater, in many places several feet deep. The decision was made to close the site from public access. As well as being for safety reasons, this was also done to protect the wood and the wildlife in it.
“Unfortunately, one of the wooden gates leading into the wood from the car park was vandalised by quad bikers in order to gain access to the site. The temporary repairs later put in place were also destroyed. This second incident took place when the site was closed because of the flooding, and the vehicles have caused lots of damage to the wet ground. As is the case with all anti-social behaviour reported down the wood, this has been passed on to the police as well as the local authorities. Anyone with any further information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Friends.
“The Friends are always on the lookout for more volunteers. There are many ways to help out, such as helping to run events, undertaking practical conservation work, or assisting with admin or fundraising activities. For more information about the wood, or for details on how to get involved, you can contact the Friends by leaving a message on 07902 772695, email at info@thornecommunitywood.org or by getting in touch on their Facebook page.”
