It has been an extraordinary 18 months but, despite the challenges faced, work has continued at the Heart of England Forest (HoEF), and they wanted to update the village about the plans for the land near to our community. Bearley Parish Council will work with Heart of England Forest to set up a village information day at Bearley Village Hall, in the Autumn, to update residents on further news. For now, here are some key updates including the event on Tuesday 7 September 2021.
Tree planting
HoEF are delighted to confirm that they will be tree planting on the 75 hectares at Bearley and Pathlow this winter season, which runs from November to March. 50,000 trees will be planted in total, including 11,000 in a community woodland (see below), in addition to leaving areas of open space to create other habitats, including grassland for skylarks and ground nesting birds.
Green Recovery Challenge Fund Grant
HoEF ended 2020 with the amazing news that they had secured a £1.7m Green Recovery Challenge Fund (GRCF) grant. The fund, being delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency, has been allocated to projects that benefit nature, climate, and society. This grant has funded the fencing work that is now complete on their land at Bearley and Pathlow. You can read more about the GRCF project in this article – Charity receives game-changing fund from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund | Heart of England Forest
Help to design your community woodland
The community woodland is also part of the GRCF project and local Bearley residents will have the opportunity to help design, plant and look after this special woodland. 11,000 native broadleaf trees will be planted on the 16 hectares, with 30% – 40% being oak to complement the surrounding woods. HoEF would like you to invite Bearley residents to join Stephen, Head Forester, and Toby, Community Engagement Manager, on Tuesday 7th September to help finalise the design. We hope you can join us. Click here to book your place (spaces are limited) Help to design your community woodland Tickets, Tue 7 Sep 2021 at 14:00 | Eventbrite
An aerial view
Finally, in February HoEF commissioned a videographer to capture drone footage of the land at Bearley and Pathlow, and they wanted you to be the first to see it – Growing the Forest at Bearley and Pathlow – YouTube
