How you can help the future of Treswell Wood

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust are seeking funding to buy land adjacent to Treswell Wood which once formed part of the woodland, pictured are Bassetlaw Council Chairman Coun Ian Campbell, centre, with reserves officer Rob Atkinson and head of estate management for Notts Wildlife Trust Charles Langtree (w130305-1)

His visit came as the trust seeks to raise £15,000 to unlock £65,000 in grants and other funding to help buy land adjacent to ancient woodland - the first reserve ever purchasedby the Trust back in the 1970s.

Coun Campbell said he was proud to support the cause: “As Vice-president of the Notts Wildlife Trust and chairman of the district, I think its great to have a part of Bassetlaw so rich in history and wildlife.”

“Treswell Wood is one of the finest woodlands in the region and an important asset to our community.”

The charity is now keen to encourage more people from across the district to get involved in fundraising activities and help the appeal.

Wildlife Trust communications manager Erin McDaid said this was an exciting time to get involved in the project and boost Treswell Wood’s future.

“Treswell Wood is a very special place and we are excited about the possibility of extending the wood, bringing it back to the same size as it would have been prior to the time of the Domesday Book,” he said.

“Its rich heritage of woodland crafts and its wonderful wildlife make it a wonderful place to visit and we hope that local people will back our fundraising efforts.”

Later this week, local Wildlife Trust volunteer and professional musician Ernie Geddes, will host an evening of blues, jazz, soul and folk music in the hope of raising £1,000 towards the appeal.

Back in November, members of the Wildlife Trust’s Retford Local Group raised over £70 through the sale of coffee, cakes and plants.

As the Wildlife Trust is hoping to use locally raised cash to help drawn down major grant funding, every £1 really does count, so the charity is urging local people to come up with new ideas to help it reach it’s £15,000 total.

Added Mr McDaid: “Over the past couple of weeks we’ve also received a number of donations from our members, demonstrating that people really do care about this wonderful woodland.”

As well as seeking cash donations, the Wildlife Trust has also created a special scheme where people can ‘adopt’ a small piece of the woodland, with funds going towards the appeal target.

In return, those adopting a section of the wood receive a special gift box containing an Adoption Certificate, a Lost Woodland Map, an individually handcrafted wooden gift - carved from authentic Treswell timber and an information sheet all about Treswell Wood.