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Horish Wood

HORISH WOOD

Horish Wood was successfully acquired by the Parish Council in April 2006. It is approximately 15 acres (7 hectares) in size and located immediately south-east of the CTRL line between Hockers Lane and the A249. It is a complex of woodland, mostly traditional coppice, with adjoining grass and scrub land. It is separated from other parts of Horish Wood by the M20 and CTRL corridors.

The wood is designated as a Local Wildlife Site, formally called a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. It is also designated ancient woodland, one of a sequence of important wet woodlands situated on the Gault Clay that outcrops along the M20 corridor. The name Horish (formerly Hurwash) comes from the old English meaning “filth” and “ground washed over with water”.

Horish Wood is important to Detling parish and the wider community for several reasons:

  • its beauty and bio-diversity
  • its socio-economic history
  • its potential for recreation and leisure
  • its potential for education
  • its potential harvest of woodland products.

A management plan will develop a plan which endeavours to satisfy and balance each of these criteria.

This year saw the continued development of the wood and open grassland. John Monk continued with his work with some tree clearance to make some glades and open areas within the wood. He has taken up more of the old mesh fencing and added it along the Motorway fence to help prevent dogs getting out onto the M20.

A similar fence is planned along the A249 and this route is currently being cleared in preparation, once more a grant of £8,765 for this work obtained from ‘Awards for All’ and we hope this work is completed for the summer.

 

Planting of 25 English Oak trees on the 5th December 2009

On December 5th 2009 we took the opportunity to take part in the BBC’s Breathing Spaces World Record attempt at planting the most trees in an hour. The record wasn’t broken but over 230,000 trees were planted in that one hour, leaving a significant legacy for future generations.

We were given 25 English Oak trees, free of charge by the KCC Free Tree Scheme and though the generosity of our new parish Tree Wardens Nigel & Peta McCulloch who provided the stakes and tree guards and Jean Roberts in bringing along quantities of manure we managed to plant them on the open area along the access road between Hockers Land entrance and the CTRL balancing pond next to the woodland.

We are aware of more “free” trees and will be looking to take up this option in the future. If anyone wants to donate a tree, perhaps to a loved one then please let us know.