A nature reserve about 20 minutes' drive from Swindon has been chosen to join The Queen’s Green Canopy network.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's Ravensroost Wood Nature reserve, which lies north-west of Royal Wootton Bassett, joins a network of 70 ancient woodlands across the UK marking Her Majesty's 70-year-reign.
Each chosen woodland location reflects a range of themes including royal connections, history, children, education, literature/creative arts, science, conservation, communities, health and wellbeing.
The Prince of Wales launched the QGC at the weekend and highlighted the importance of the nation's ancient woodlands.
He said: “These working woodlands and magnificent trees span our nation’s amazing landscape and exist for everyone to enjoy. At the same time, they support biodiversity, and help to provide us with the most versatile and beautiful of materials for our craftsmen and women.”
Ravensroost Wood is a 44-hectare (about 108-acre) Site of Special Scientific Interest. The northern section of the reserve has been continuously wooded since the 1600s and once formed part of a medieval Royal Hunting Forest. It is an ancient woodland with oak, wych elm and wild service trees. The wild service tree is also known as the Chequers Tree and its fruits were once regularly used to make alcohol.
Mrs Sarah Troughton, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, said “Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has been given a richly deserved compliment and I am absolutely delighted that Ravensroost Woods, an Ancient Woodland indeed, is to be dedicated to Her Majesty The Queen on her Platinum Jubilee”.
Dr Gary Mantle, CEO of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: "All at the trust are delighted that Ravensroost Wood is part of The Queen’s Green Canopy network of 70 ancient woodlands.
"We wholeheartedly share the aims of the network in raising awareness of our treasured, local habitats and the importance of conserving them for future generations.”
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