It is an environmental project which volunteers are unlikely see grow to maturity but people in Yaxham are determined to create a new woodland for future generations to enjoy.

The idea of planting a new wood close to Yaxham is the dream of a group of villagers who have come together to form an action group to ensure the seeds of their plan take root in the community.

And on Saturday 29th November 2008 the Yaxham Woodlands Group set up camp at Pinns Corner on the outskirts of the village to share their plans and hopes with locals and whip up enthusiasm for the ambitious scheme.

Helped by environment and education charity Green Light Trust, the group aims to be able to create and manage its own woodland for the benefit of both wildlife and the local community.

Pupils from Yaxham Primary School are already involved and this autumn they planted acorns in pots in the hope that in two or three year's time the saplings that grow will become some of the first trees to be heeled into the new plantation, wherever it may be.

But before any planting can take place there is still a long way to go.

George Crummett, chairman of the group, said that land still needed to be found on which to plant the wood.

He said: “There is very little woodland round here as it has been largely lost to agriculture.

“This is about creating green corridors and linking up with other green and woodland space to support wildlife and for everyone to enjoy.

“The group has already done some work clearing pathways and doing other things in the area but the wood is the big project.”

Mr Crummett hopes that an area can be found which will link in with an area of proposed new woodland behind Breckland Council's offices in Dereham.

Sarah Moore from Green Light Trust said: “From a wildlife point of view if you can have areas of woodland and green space liked by green space it is of considerable benefit because the wildlife can move around and have a much larger habitat.”

To mark the start of the project a spindle tree was planted at Pinns Corner but all the volunteers hope that hundreds more oak, ash and birch will soon follow to create the new wood.

For more information on how to get involved with the Yaxham Woodlands Group contact Sue Martin on 01362 696805 or email yaxhamwoodlands@gmail.com
(Article from Dereham & Fakenham Times)
(N.B. as part of the launch a litter pick was conducted and 4 bags were collected and 2 areas of fly - tipping were removed)