WE ARE PROUD SPONSORS OF PLAYTERS WOOD.
Playters Wood is an ancient woodland located in Shadingfield.
It comprises of mainly hornbeam but also has oak, ash and maple trees. The ground flora is rich and includes common spotted orchid, wood bitter-cress and the rare thin-spiked wood sedge. Combine this with the woodlands age (over 400 years) and it makes it a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Ancient trees and woodlands are irreplaceable. Standing for hundreds of years through climate catastrophes and human interference, not only do they give us an insight into historic land use over generations, but they provide some of the most significant wildlife habitats in Europe. But these precious habitats are declining in size and health, with only 2.5% of England’s landmass remaining as ancient woodland.
The aim is to restore and rejuvenate native species of flora and fauna through coppicing and selective thinning. This allows more sunlight in and space for new growth, thus creating a more diverse, healthy and sustainable habitat for wildlife to thrive. In addition to this, working closely with Natural England, the hope is to revive a pond within the woodland that has become desperately over run by plants and debris. Ponds are great for biodiversity and provide a good source of invertebrate food and drinking water for wildlife.
If you would like to make a donation to Playters Wood, to help with the restoration then please contact us or pop in our shop.