Page 28 - link magazine

28 PEATMOOR COPSE

Woodland in need of care and attention as Out & About
housing surrounds it
An area of woodland near Shaw Explorations
which is over 10,000 years old is
looking for friends. A public with Bob
gathering is to be held on 14th Common A new footbridge at Sparcells
July to find people who will Platt has opened up vast new areas
protect and care for the area as for people who want to get out
new house building surrounds Roughmoor and about on foot. Situated
it. behind the Wilcon site office, it
Peatmoor Copse is located to means that people can cross
the north of Shaw village at the from Sparcells, under the Swin-
western end of the new 20 acre don to Gloucester railway line
flood water storage lagoon. The to the great open spaces along
five acre wood is thought to be Wash poo the banks of the River Ray and
remains of Bradon Forest, a lots more.
Royal hunting forest which cov- To help West Swindon
ered hundreds of acres around Hilimeud people discover new walks,
Purton. A large part of it has N Employment Freshbrook councillor Bob
Area
never been touched by humans Pixton is organising a 'summer
and therefore has evolved as a Lower Shaw Farm wander' on Friday 6th July at
unique environment. T 6.30p.m. The meeting point is
The copse is now the responsi- 1" 'nc\ the Wilcon site office at Spar-
.
bility of the Arts and Recreation (A.7
cells. For more information,
Group of Thamesdown Borough ring Bob on 695317.
Council which is keen to involve
local people in its management. , Old Show Farm Walk
Urban Fringe Officer (UFO) A farm open day with a little bit
Richard Keating believes that "There are a range of practical can be formed and the range of of mystery is being organised
local people have an important tasks that can be carried out. We activities that it might start. by Thamesdown Council's Arts
role in protecting the copse from would like to re-start coppicing Bring boots and wet weather and Recreation Department for
the inevitable pressures that as this helps different kinds of clothing for the walk; buggies Sunday 17th July.
natural habitats come under flora and fauna to exist. There is and wheelchairs can reach the The farm is being kept a secret
once they become urbanised. also hedge laying and ditch dig- edge of the copse safely. Refresh- so that people leave their cars
"Peatmoor Copse is the only ging to be done and possibly a ments will be available. Children behind. Leaving every half an
example in Thamesdowri of a pond to be made. and teenagers are welcome. hour from 10a.m. to 3p.m.
wet woodland habitat," said "In the un-touched areas, we groups will leave Lydiard Park
Richard. "Thousands of years need to make paths, build by horse and cart. After a short
ago it was a pond which gradu- bridges and generally create Peace ride they will continue on foot.
ally filled up with vegetation ways that people can have con- Fair At interesting points along the
from which trees grew. Because trolled access to the wood with- route experts will be on hand to
of the wetness, the copse has out upsetting the delicate bal- The third Swindon Peace Fair talk about farming methods,
never had any agricultural value ance of nature. It can remain a will take place on Saturday Au- pond and stream ecology and
though the trees in parts of it source of study and enjoyment gust 6th from 10a.m.- 4p.m. in woodland wildlife. At the farm
have been coppiced (where trees for people of all ages in the years Faringdon Road Park. Now es- there will be a chance to see
have been cut and encouraged to ahead." tablished as an annual event, the animals and machinery and to
grow again). We have fenced The gathering on 14th July will Fair provides an opportunity for talk to the farmers about their
and ditched the copse to stop take place at 7p.m. at Lower local groups concerned with work.
people from disturbing the un- Shaw Farm which is located in peace, the environment and
Overall the round trip is ex-
usual range of plant, animal and Old Shaw Lane. After a brief human and animal rights to raise pected to take up to two and half
insect life to be found in it, but we introduction, Richard Keating money and put across their mes- hours.
want to encourage sensitive will conduct a guided walk to sage.
use." and around Peatmoor Copse, Although August 6th is the Walk for the World
Richard is hoping to find local about half a mile away. On re- anniversary of the bombing of
people who can help with the turning a discussion will take Hiroshima, the Fair itself is a cele- Wildlife Fund
management of the copse. place on how a 'friends' group bration of hope for the building A group of wildlife supporters
of a peaceful and just world. are holding a sponsored walk
Become A Friend of Peatmoor Copse - With a variety of stalls, in- around Lydiard Park in October
help local wildlife flatables and entertainments, it's and they want West Swindon
a good day out for the entire people to join in.
family. New attractions this year The Swindon Area Support-
include a symbolic linking of ers Group of the World Wildlife
hands by everybody present and Fund for Nature will be putting
the release of Peace Balloons en the money from the walk to-
$l
4 A44 4 masse over Swindon. wards a project to protect
Voluntary organisations may Britain's vanishing wildlife.
A44 book space (f2 per 10 foot front- The walk is due to take place
<11 age). Commercial concerns are on Sunday 9th October and for
also welcome (5 per 10 foot). the first time ever a company,
Please bring your own tables. All Heinz, is boosting the fund rais-
cheques should be made payable ing effort by sponsoring the
to 'Swindon Peace Fair'. walk.
Further details from the organ- For more information on how
An Introductory walk and talk. LowerShaw Farm, Old
iser, Derek Williams, 10 Redcliffe to join in, contact Judy Turner
ShawLane. Thursday 14th July, 7p.m. All Welcome. St. Swindon. Telephone: 618687. on 783483.