Events

Saturday 28th October 2023: A Fungus Foray in Toll Wood. Led by Martin Newcombe, who has also led successful and fascinating fungus forays in a nearby traditional orchard. Lynsted with Kingsdown Society kindly agreed to host and promote this event. Free to all Members, Families, and Friends. It rained but there were many fungi spotted and identified. Martin introduced elements of entertaining folklore and discovery too.

2025

11th January 2025: Boundary restoration. Thanks to The Conservation Volunteers "I Dig Trees" Initiative, the Trust received 500 whips to plant along public boundaries of Toll Wood. Nine of us broke the back planting on Saturday 11th January. Thankfully, the soil was so rich and deep, the ground was soft enough for planting. Our intention is to provide hedgerow regeneration and biodiversity planting for the wood and our Parish environment. If the whips thrive, we shall repair decades of neglect and degradation of the Toll Wood boundary and understorey. The whips will give visual interest alongside Toll Lane and Granny Stiles' path on the northern boundary (that leads into Lynsted village). The plants bring pollinators, berries, nuts and munchable leaves.

14th January 2025: Boundary planting restoration - Final Push. 400 metres completed on Saturday, 120 metres to complete Granny Stiles Path edge of wood.

In summary, over 520 metres of whips planted. Some planting sites have been 'doubled-up' to provide variety in cover density for food and refuge/nesting. Hawthorn (60%), Blackthorn/Sloe (10%), Hazel (10%), Dogwood (5%), Elderberry (5%), Dog Rose (5%), Silver Birch (5%). Images from the project.

26th April 2025: Kent Field Club visit. 120 species identified and recorded - species list. Of particular importance are:

  • White-letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album) - endangered. A Species of Principal Importance under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act.
  • Big-headed Mining Bee (Andrena bucephala) - nationally rare
  • White-bellied Mining Bee (Andrena gravida) - previously considered very rare. More widespread but localised to South-east.
  • Stock Dove (Columba oenas) - Amber on list of Birds of Conservation Concern.
  • Starling (Strunus vulgaris) - Red on list of Birds of Conservation Concern
  • Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) - Red on the list of Birds of Conservation Concern.

2026

26th to 29th May 2026: Lane-side Fence Renewal. The Trust removed and replaced old and damaged fencing alongside Toll Lane. The purpose was to improve the security and protection of this ancient woodland site. Also to discourage (as much as anyone can) fly-tipping. The edge of the wood has been redrawn to reflect the encroachment of rainwashed dirt over decades of neglect. You're welcome!

9th September2026: 8pm: Presentation to the Lynsted with Kingsdown Society by Nigel Heriz-Smith. Explaining why this ancient woodland is worth protecting into the future, how the Charitable Trust came to be established, and what the future looks like. Venue: Lynsted Church.

Annual Dates and Periods for our woodland diary

1st March - Raising trees and shrubs from seed - Around 1st March is the time for planting seed collected in the previous year. Each seed species have particular needs.

First Sunday of May: International Dawn Chorus Day. Events can happen from late April to May.

Autumn Equinox each year: 22nd September to 22nd October: Seed collection window of opportunity.
We thoroughly recommend the following Guides:

November 27th to December 5th - National Tree Week (2025). We hope to take part in this campaign to focus on the winter tree planting season. We have declared our interest in receiving more whips to replace plants that were defeated by the prolonged summer drought. will inspect the planted boundary to see how the planted whips are doing (January 2026).