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ABOUT US
The ”Friends of Badock’s Wood“ (FOBW) came into being c1997 as a loose coalition of like-minded people at the instigation of BTCV (formally the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) with the objective of improving the Woods for the general benefit of the local community and wildlife. Unfortunately, over time, the site had become run-down and vandalised and had deteriorated badly from its former glory as a pleasant recreational Public Open Space in the care of Bristol City Council.
Since its inauguration, FOBW has been an enthusiastic and highly committed Community Group who have worked very hard at practical conservation tasks within the Woods.
Over the last ten years, the following activities have been carried out with the support of BTCV and Bristol City Council:
- Numerous Work-days for the clearance of rubbish from the woods and streams
- Removal of dead elms and coppicing
- Construction and erection of a new footbridge over the River Trym, adjacent to the boundary with Westbury Wildlife Park
- Installation of improved fencing, gates and seating
- Improvements to footpaths and steps
- Installation of Dog Bins for dog-walkers to deposit dog ”mess“
- Erection of a stainless steel sculpture at the foot of the tumulus - commissioned by the City Council, with the support of English Heritage
- Conducted Wildlife Walks, including ”Tree Gazing“ (led by Tony Titchen), a ”Fungal Foray“ (led by Justin Smith) and ”Birds“ (led by John Tully)
- Hedge and thicket planting
- Sowing 2 wild flower meadows, with the help of pupils from Badock’s Wood School
- Planting bulbs and wild flowers
- Installation of Owl, Bat and Bird Boxes
- Removal of self-sown ornamental cherry trees from the tumulus and re-planting Rowan trees (Mountain Ash) adjacent to the tumulus
Membership of the Friends of Badock’s Wood is free and anyone with an interest in the site is welcome to join.
FOBW hold regular meetings, at The Greenway Centre, which have included the attendance not only of the Members themselves but also representatives from Bristol City Council, Avon and Somerset Police, Avon Fire Brigade, BTCV, Lakewood Neighbourhood Watch and Ground4Change (formerly The Trymside Project).
Whilst the input of these parties is greatly acknowledged, one particular person must be credited with the inspiration to bring everyone together under the single auspices of a ‘Multi-Agency Group’. This person was Salim Allibhai, a local resident and ardent supporter of the area. It was Salim who first organized the Multi-Agency Group and set about encouraging as many people as possible to become involved. It was his enthusiasm that ensured numerous organizations and local people attended the regular Greenway Centre meetings. He spent a great deal of time identifying ways of securing funds and assistance, all of which are now benefiting the whole area.
Tragically, Salim died in June 2004 without seeing the culmination of this funding and the current Management Plan but he can rest in the knowledge that his early inspiration will lead to the continuous improvement of an area enjoyed by so many.
In 2005, a Five Year Management Plan was drawn up by FOBW, in conjunction with BTCV and the City Council. Subsequently, FOBW received lottery funding through a BTCV ”People’s Places Award“ in 2005/06. This was followed by further lottery funding from an ”Awards for All“ grant in 2007/08. FOBW is currently pursuing additional funding opportunities to enable its important conservation management work to be continued in the future.
Alan Aburrow
Chairman, Friends of Badock’s Wood
February 2008
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