Beginnings [Projects 1 & 2]
Caring for an ancient woodland is not only about the plants, fungi and wildlife.
To begin with, we have to protect the future health and biodiversity of this precious gem.
Decades of neglect of Toll Wood means its boundaries need attention. This will include hedgerow development of food plants.
Martin and Gill Swainson set the ball rolling by creating a Charitable Trust. To secure the long-term future of Toll Wood for future generations.
The Forestry Commission approved our ten-year Woodland Management Plan on 29th May 2024. A five-year review will happen in 2029.
Objective 1: Site security and protection. Renewal of the entire woodland edge to protect against future fly-tipping; promote biodiversity and boost environmental health for wildlife; prevent damage to rare and ancient woodland plants from uncontrolled human access and (e.g.) domestic animals. [Note: there is no public right of way within the woodland but see Objective 2 concerning controlled access and ambitions for public engagement]. Our decision to prioritise planting of the woodland edge was made to improve habitat variety and food-sources. Hedges and shrubs allow free movement of wild creatures and nesting opportunities(fn1).
Update: Thanks go to the The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) who gave us 500 whips for planting in early January 2025. This couldn't have been achieved without the help of local residents over two days of very cold weather. We were able to bring this important 'woodland edge' to the public boundaries of Toll Wood. The woodland edge planting will build biodiversity for many animals, birds and insects in the surrounding countryside as well as inside the wood. Notes and Images.
UK Power Networks (UKPN) 'ride'. On 19th March 2024, the full length of the western woodland edge was cleared to protect overhead power lines that supply Lynsted Village. In effect, UKPN have achieved one of our Objectives in the Woodland Management Plan - to bring light into the mature woodland and the ground flora along the ground below the chalk scarp. Importantly, this change has provided a new (scrubby) habitat zone. Tick that box!
Total Woodland Perimeter: 1,075m.
Objective 2: Establish a Toll Wood Charitable Trust. A Trust will outlast any of us and involve all of us. A Trust will provide a focus for:-
(a) Research: Supporting a programme of research and exploration of woodland features, setting, flora, fauna, and the secret world of fungi in the woodland and meadow.
(b) Education: To explain and inform future community involvement, understanding and controlled access as an important feature in our countryside;
(c) Biodiversity: To promote biodiversity, which is central to the identity of this ancient woodland and meadow.
(d) Public Engagement: To work with organisations including the Forestry Commission, Forestry Research, Kent Downs, Woodland Trust, Kent Wildlife, Kent Men of the Trees (KMOTT), Tree Council, Lynsted with Kingsdown Society, Norton and Lynsted Primary School, and Lynsted traditional cherry orchard group (e.g., bats and fungi surveys). Securing specialist expertise as the need and opportunity arises and resources permit.Update: The Charities Commission approved the Toll Wood Charitable Trust on 13 September 2024.
Footnotes
1. Benefits of woodland edge - the Forestry Commission Guidance, points to these benefits:-
Well designed and detailed edge contributes to UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) compliance. It reinforces spirit of place, creates unity, diversity and provides a resilient woodland, as well as many functional benefits, such as:
1) Biodiversity: good edge is essential for woodland wildlife, with many specialised species adapted to its transitional, dense and varied habitat.
2) Resilience: the structural and ecological diversity of edge supports the natural functioning of woodland.
3) People and access: well-designed edges create attractive fringes to high canopy woodland. This includes much seasonal interest at eye level, bird song richness, diverse insect populations and flowering plants, especially when facing south in full sun.
4) Operational: edge is important for managing deer populations, protecting against wind-throw, buffering wildfires and creating sheltered microclimates over the lifetime of the wood.
5) Landscape integration: edges are fundamental to good integration of woodland into the surrounding landscape. This applies in both enclosed and open landscapes creating unity and reflecting local distinctiveness.