|
Campton
Plantation
|
Where to find Campton Plantation
More wood sculptures added - November 2010
|
|
|
Waymarker
|
Sign at entrance of Plantation
|
End of owl bench
|
|
|
|
Monk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Toadstools
|
|
Dragonfly table and benches
|
|
|
|
Badgers, fox, butterly and
oak leaf bench
|
Rear of 'Badgers' bench
|
End of 'Badgers' bench
|
|
|
|
Deer
|
|
|
|
|
|
Campton and Chicksands totem
pole
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shefford Totem pole
|
|
|
photographs by
The Williams'.
Our first chain saw sculptures April - July 2010
|
|
|
Campton and Chicksands totem
pole - work in
progress
|
Face in the wood
|
Wishing fish seat
|
|
|
|
Owl Bench - Back
|
Owl Bench - Front
|
Acorns & Squirrel Bench
|
photographs
by Malcolm Willis.
Campton Plantation Wood is 15.4 hectares
in size and has some magnificent trees; it also has varied flora and fauna
of interest, it is situated along the A507 between Chicksands roundabout
and the roundabout at the top of Ampthill Road, Shefford.. The woodland
provides a varied habitat for wildlife as well as giving local residents
a place to walk and relax. There is always something interesting to see
if you know where to look.
Recently there has been some sad news regarding a number of
the large oak trees that are looking very sick. A black staining / weeping
on the main trunk of the tree is the first sign and some of the trees
have already died. This is caused by a disease called “Sudden Oak Death”
which has become a nationwide concern and a variety of official bodies
are busy looking for a possible cure. Let‟s hope it does not turn into
another catastrophe like “Dutch Elm” disease.
The oak trees that are completely dead will be reduced because
of health and safety reasons. This means that all the upper branches
will be removed but the main trunks will be left standing. While the
contractors are there, there will also be some reduction work undertaken
on several of the beech trees. All the trees that are identified for
work have been checked out for any wildlife inhabitants during the survey
work, and will also be checked during the tree surgery.
The plan is to turn the reduced oaks and cut timber into wood
sculpture, and the standing oak trucks will become themed totem poles.
There will also be a circular walk sculpture trail, which I expect to
be of particular interest to local schools and families with children.
I hope that when the wood sculpture artists are at work the wood will still
be open for demonstrations for anybody that would like to come and watch.
Other improvements to the woodland will include the installation
of resting benches along the trail, a small picnic area, improvements
to the entrances to facilitate access, the installation of extra dog
bins and new interpretation signage. The addition of natural play facilities
will make the area know as the Dell, situated at the Chicksands end of
the wood even more appealing to the teenagers who already use it.
The improvements to the area should not adversely affect the
tranquillity of the site. There will still be plenty of quiet areas
in the woodland and the lower area near the river will not be touched
because of the fantastic in show of snow drops in the Spring. We are
not currently planning any changes to the paths; retaining these will
enable us to keep the feel of the natural woodland.
All of the improvements have been devised to enhance the enjoyment
of the woodland for all local residents within Campton, Chicksands
and Shefford and we hope there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
We are currently bidding for external funding to undertake
some of these improvements to the wood. Once we have been awarded a
grant, we would plan to complete all the works within a two year period.
Formal consultation will be undertaken as part of this process
and we will be looking to engage local schools and start a "friends‟
group for the wood. In the meantime I plan to conduct a couple of walks
in the wood over the winter to show people how the wood will change and
this would be a ideal time to get some ideas from you. Look out for the
posters in the wood and in the Parish / Town magazines. Please come along
and join in.
Trevor Smith. Countryside Sites Officer for Central Bedfordshire
Council,(who has been involved in the management of Campton Plantation
Wood for over 30 years).
Trevor.Smith@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
information
from Parish Newsletter edited by Malcolm Willis
|
Groundwork Luton & South Bedfordshire - environmental
regeneration charity (a partner in this project).
|
Have
your say. Complete the downloadable questionaire
|
On Sunday 14th February 2010 local residents from Campton,
Chicksands and Shefford accepted Trevor Smith‟s open invitation to
tour Campton Plantation and hear about future plans,.Trevor is the Countryside
Sites Officer for Central Bedfordshire Council.
Three large trunks have been left and these will be carved into
themed „totem poles‟. One will depict the kinds of birds and animals
you can expect to see in the wood. The other two will be carved using
suggestions from local people. One will be for Shefford and the other
for Campton and Chicksands.
The larger parts of trees that have been cut down will be made
into benches and seats for people visiting the wood and there will
also be a picnic table carved in the shape of a dragonfly.
Trevor is still seeking ideas as to what should be carved to
represent Campton and Chicksands. The wood sculptures have been commissioned
and Trevor is looking for a start date of the 22nd March.
photograph by M. Willis.
If you have any ideas
you can email Trevor.Smith@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
A 'Meet the Chainsaw Artists' day was held on Saturday 6th March
when people were invited to go along anytime between 10am and 4pm to meet
the artists who will be doing the carving. It was an opportunity
for people to bring along their ideas for other sculptures and the
totem poles.
More details
of the chain-saw artists 'Spirits of Wood'
This design was submitted by Bekki May as a suggestion for the 'Campton'
totem pole. It represents 'Percy' the
village peacock (now sadly demised), All Saints' Church,
The Mill and the 'White Hart' public house. It has been
suggested that perhaps carvings of nuns and monks could be added
around the bottom to depict Chicksands. These
could be infilled with oak leaves, in memory of the oak trees that
had to be cut down.
SURE HIDDEN IN CAMPTON PLANTATION
|
|
|
|
