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Heritage

South Yorkshire Forest

Greensites

Heritage Woodlands
Local project officer ContactCaron Smith

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Heritage Woodlands

Archaeological heritage »

Wickersley Gorse

• Wickersley Gorse is partly owned by Wickersley Parish Council.
• Access to the area is from Airmount Close off Bawtry Road, and down the side of an arable field. Footpaths have been constructed along the top of the wood and down the streamside.
• The stream flowing down Wickersley Gorse plus bluebells suggests that this area was once wooded.
• The area stretches right down to Shrogswood to the south. Good views from here over the Sitwell Golf Course and towards Sheffield.

The Gorse, a 'secret valley' within Wickersley, consists of a mosaic of habitats ranging from acidic and neutral grassland, with bracken and gorse, developing into a mixture of scrub communities to extensive areas of open canopy deciduous woodland. The Gorse is managed as part of a Countryside Stewardship Agreement with DEFRA

Wickersley Wood

• Wickersley Wood is also owned by Wickersley Parish Council.
• Records show that this area has been woodland since the 1600's when it was owned by the 7th Earl of Shrewsbury .
• The wood consists mainly of Oak and Birch, with planted Beech trees at it's northern end.
• Grey Squirrels can be found as well as the Brown Hare, Foxes and Pygmy Shrew.
• Birds include the Sparrowhawk, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Spotted Flycatcher.
• A network of footpaths exists throughout the site, including to the south, a public footpath which leads from the area around Pinch Mill Farm.

Wickersley Wood,managed by Wickersley Parish Council, the first parish council to gain Forestry Standards Council certification, which recognises that Wickersley Wood is managed according to an internationally agreed set of strict environmental, social and economic criteria. Wickersley Wood was Reserve Winner in the Yorkshire and Northumbria Woodlands Competition 2003.

PRESS RELEASE from FSC-UK 22 April 2003

First Parish Council to be FSC Certified

Wickersley Parish Council in South Yorkshire has now joined the growing number of local authorities with FSC-certified forest and woodland. Wickersley is also the first parish council to gain FSC certification, which recognises that its Wickersley Wood is managed according to an internationally agreed set of strict environmental, social and economic criteria. Their certification is part of the South Yorkshire group certification.

Wickersley Wood has a history dating back over 400 years. Its current mix of larch, sweet chestnut, beech and sycamore trees were planted in the eighteen hundreds to replace the locally native oak and elm. Over the years the five and a half hectare site has supplied timber to fuel the steel and leather industries and was clear felled to support the war effort during the 1940s.

Now surrounded by development and intensive agriculture the wood is a natural island, new generations of trees are developing and birds such as sparrowhawk, nuthatch, tree creeper, song thrush and jay are regular visitors. A diverse variety of butterflies live in the wood and fox and brown hare use it during the quiet times of the day.

In April 2000 the wood was awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, which has allowed the parish council to develop a long-term management plan, ensuring that the forest continues to survive and thrive and to be enjoyed by visitors for many years to come.

FSC UK Director Anna Jenkins said: “We are delighted that Wickersley Parish Council, is now FSC- certified. Their woodland now joins those of Croydon, Sheffield, Rotherham and Telford and Wrekin as part of a global network of responsibly managed forests currently covering over thirty seven million hectares, over one million of those in the UK.”

FSC-certified forests are looked after in a way that is environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable, they are good for wildlife, good for local people and good for the economy. Over ten thousand timber and timber products currently carry the FSC label, which identifies them as coming from FSC-certified forests.

Wickersley Doorstep Green

Read Masterplan PDF

A £54,000 Doorstep Green grant has given residents of Wickersley the chance to redesign and breath new life into their local park. Plans for the site include creating new pathways allowing access for all, trees and wildflower planting, installation of a basketball hoop, seats and an events area.

Voluntary Activities - Volunteers are needed at all sites for various activities. Please contact Caron Smith for further information or to be included on mailing list for future events.

Local project officer Contact:Caron Smith Phone: 01709 703270

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