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CHRISTMAS TREE SALES START ON TUESDAY 1ST DECEMBER

Chopwell Wood is classified as PAWS - Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site

Please be aware of felling work on the east side of the Wood throughout 2009. Conifers are being removed as part of the ongoing programme to return to native trees under the PAWS designation.  Stay out of the taped off areas for your own safety.

The woodland section south and east of the main car park is closed to the public until about mid November for felling work.  The access point at Victoria Garesfield is also closed during this time.  The Red Kite Trail, the River (red) and Boundary (green) Walks all have diversions in place, please follow the temporary signage.

Online education package - click on trail link below, 
also see LHI Project page

Chopwell Wood is a mixed conifer and broadleaf woodland, of almost 1000 acres, covering an area on the northern slopes of the Derwent Valley. It is situated about 10 miles south-west of Gateshead, in the north-east of England. The Wood is bordered to the north by Garesfield Golf Course, to the east by the villages of High Spen and Rowlands Gill, to the south by the River Derwent, and to the west by the villages of Chopwell and Blackhall Mill.

Why does the Wood need Friends ?

To help ensure it remains a Wood for all to enjoy - especially the Wildlife !

The Friends voluntary community group was first formed in November 1991, when there was much concern about small woodland areas being sold off. Some were privatised or clear-felled for the land to be used for other purposes. The Friends supported a plan for "Woodland Park" status to give greater protection for the long-term continuation of Chopwell Wood. This status was achieved towards the end of l993, and the official opening ceremony of Chopwell Woodland Park took place in July 1994.  Members of the group carry out our work on a voluntary basis - we have no paid employees.

The Wood has been managed by the Forestry Commission for over 80 years. The Friends aim to help develop the educational and recreational uses of the Wood, whilst still conserving the wildlife and their habitats.

Join the Friends and you can put forward your ideas on the future development of the Wood. You can get involved and with practical help to make these things happen.

With your support we can continue to : -

• keep the Wood free from litter – especially with our annual Spring Clean Event.

• discourage vandalism and abuse of the Woodland

• encourage sensitive recreational use and consideration for other users of the Wood

• raise funds for improvements, conservation and restoration projects

• organise and carry out Conservation Tasks

• organise recreational and educational events

• develop educational resources – Forest Classroom, Nature Trail, Meadow and Pond

• contribute to the future development of the Wood through the Forest Design Plan

Items funded by FoCW over the years - Conservation Work; Footpaths Repairs and Improvements to Drainage; Trail for Less-Able; Picnic Tables; Seating Benches/Logs; Sculptures;  Barriers; Litter Clearance and Clean up of Stream Valley areas;  Forest Festivals and other events; Forest Classroom and surrounding area (Meadow, Pond & Nature Trail); Skills Training; Car Park Extension; Railway Trucks & Tubs; Bat Boxes; Red Squirrel Feed; Trapping of Grey Squirrels (done whilst there was still a viable Red Squirrel population); Information Board & Leaflets.

Specific Grant Funding has been used for some art work, a Meadow Project, plus History & Heritage work.

Membership subscription details are given on a separate page - see the link below.
Membership/Goods Order Form here - please print and post to us.
Friends of Chopwell Wood, 2 Albert Street, Rowlands Gill, Tyne & Wear, NE39 2JA
Telephone - 01207 542495

Friends members receive three newsletters a year, to keep them informed about what is happening within the Woodland Park.  Information is also displayed on the notice board in the Main Car Park in the Wood.

© Copyright 2009  -   Friends of Chopwell Wood