THE FIRST POST

Today (20th August 2011) I have decided to commence a blog of the development of Puzzle Wood. Its a little late considering the restoration started 2 years ago! For starters I have just placed just a few photographs selected from the last 2 years. As time goes on I will update this site in chronological order as the wood progresses and include any interesting stories that crop up.

The project has been made possible by the support of the Singleton Dumbreck Trust, Singleton Parish Council and the hard work of various volunteers who will be identified at various stages of the project!

Over the months to come I will provide the history of 'Puzzle Gardens' and the future plans for the wood. Any suggestions would be welcome. So far the work carried out includes:

• Installation of several bird boxes
• Planting of new hedging
• Clearance of rubbish
• Several hundred samplings removed
• Snowberry removed
• New gates installed
• Phase 1 of new woodland paths commenced
• Replanting of several native trees
• Construction of brash stacks and log piles

Prior to the work on the wood commencing I consulted with the 'Tree Man', Tim Scarles, from Fylde Borough Council who has advised on replanting and removal of already established trees (essential due to Singleton being situated in a conservation area!)  and Steve Edwards, Countryside Officer, also from Fylde Borough Council who advised on all other aspects of woodland management. 

So this is how it all started...................................

The grand entrance 2009!

This was how the gate looked in 2009. New gates have now been installed and photographs of these will be posted shortly and its an amazing transformation!

On the left of the photograph are some of the bare rooted hedging that was purchased from monies kindly donated by Singleton Parish Council. This was planted by several volunteers over a day! Following the planting of the hedge 2 tonnes of quality horse muck was used to top dress the roots!

A skip in the wood!

This 8 tonne skip was delivered during 2009 to enable the removal of all the rubbish that has been dumped into the wood over the years. This job took several volunteers a whole day and by the end of it the skip was overflowing!

The 1st tree planted as part of the redevelopment!

(Rowen donated by Maxine Chew, 2010)

This particular tree has taken to its surroundings very well and in the next few days I will include a photograph of what the rowen looks like now!

 A view into the wood on a summers evening

From the clearing made by the removal of several diseased trees in 2010.

Three young helpers clearing 5 tonnes of hardcore!!!

The hardcore was used to provide a base for the 1st phase of woodland paths in 2010. The 5 ton load of road planings were delivered by a 10 ton wagon that blocked Church Road for nearly 10 minutes (headline news at the time!). 

The photograph shows the remnants of the delivery after these 3 well known local youngsters had been working for more than 4 hours, on a purely voluntary basis of course!

The evening I burnt all the hairs off my arms!

Following the removal of all the dreaded snowberry (which took several people a full day), and after letting it die off for a few months I decided to burn it on one fine evening! What a great idea that was (not!!). The Great Fire of London came to mind at the time! 

This non native and aggressive shrub had taken over a large area of the wood and spreads very quickly. We decided to dig all the snowberry up instead of using a 'chemical' alternative to eradicate this species!