BURNT ROW WOODLAND PROJECT

AUGUST 2004

An Introduction and Overview to the Brinsbury Document

Foreword

This document is the first in a series of control and management reports and plans that will be produced as the project proceeds*. The work in this initial stage is, in the main, academic and sets out the background to the project and addresses the early stage physical work to be carried out between September 2004 and December 2004. As this phase progresses it is envisaged that further detailed reports and documents will be produced that will address individual tasks such as the possible restoration of the well or archaeological remains or more detailed woodland tasks.

Whilst this report has been compiled by the students of Brinsbury it must be borne in mind that much of the physical work is to be carried out by students of the Weald School under the supervision of the senior tutors of Brinsbury. The Weald students are studying for a national GNVQ award in Estate Management.

The report has been produced by the Brinsbury Students as part of their work toward a national award in Countryside Management. It is presented in its original style without alteration and therefore contains remarks and corrections by senior tutors. There are two management plans. The emerging working tasks will draw on these plans in a logical sequence since they all address the prime objective of the management of “Burnt Row Wood” and its adjacent land.

*Note: The Brinsbury content to this document forms part of a more detailed set that includes maps and sources of suppliers as well as photographs and sketches. This more detailed report is filed in the “Burnt Wood Project” files in the Community Office.

The Overall Project

The project divides into a number of identifiable tasks that are set out in the Award Document from the Countryside Agency and which are subject to the overall funding of £24723. For completeness sake these tasks and the budgeted costs are appended to this document.

In overall terms the project envisages the restoration and conservation of an ancient woodland and associated hedgerows as well as the associated history and archaeology of the area. The area is located to the West of the Billingshurst Bypass at Ordinance Survey grid reference 08006 / 26139.

The community of Billingshurst acquired some 34 Hectares of land via the 106 process. The Village Appraisal carried out in 2000 and the ongoing Healthcheck and resulting Action Plan identified the wish of the Community to have an area set aside for Sports and Recreation. Work has commenced with the laying down of an area for formal sports. This part of the project now turns to the more general use of this land for recreation such as walking and other countryside pursuits. The area in question comprises an ancient wood, hedgerows and wildlife habitats. The project will help to retain these areas as a sustainable resource for future generations whilst using the existing infrastructure as an opportunity for training into various countryside pursuits such as hedge laying and the re-establishment of wild-life areas for the observation of our natural heritage.

This project therefore addresses at least two, if not three, of the Action Plan projects - those of Sports and Leisure, Walking and Tourism. As well as an opportunity to offer training and development for our young people it will address the desire of the community for a place of interest where one can go to relax and enjoy our local heritage.

Working in conjunction with the Chichester College (Brinsbury) and the Weald School as well as the wider community the intended work will clear the overgrown woodland area so as to open an existing footpath through the wood and place along the path a picnic area; carry out an ecological survey of the area and put in place a land management plan; replant where necessary and/or clear away the undergrowth and plant out areas of flowering wild plants that are natural to the area as well as traditional to the countryside (such as a bed of bluebells).

There is a well within the wood and this will be researched as to its origin and use, and the well sealed and the area fenced off, or restored if it proves to be of historical interest. Either way some form of information plaque regarding its history is to be provided.

The Well Head

The project will also provide training and to carry out research into the archaeology of the area (preliminary study shows a habitation of farm cottages or such like in or about the early 1800s). These disappear around the late 1800s and the area is then marked on the maps of the time as “Burnt Row”. AS level students from the Weald School (History Group and Archaeology Students), along with the local History group and other interested people (parents for example), will research the area, determine what dwellings were there in the 1800s and conduct a test dig. The area will be mapped by digital means using ground resistive measurement and aerial photography. Its history will be recorded and archived. If the preliminary findings envisaged at this stage prove to be interesting then a more detailed dig will be carried out (Victorian artifacts have already been recovered from the site).

It is also proposed to research the ancient usage of the wider recreation area of land, to clear out ditches, and draw up longer term management plans for the area and record the wild life of the area in general. The area is rich in natural plants and animals such as Deer, Rabbits and many Birds and Insects. This naturally occurring wild-life can be used as an educational opportunity for our children. It is envisaged that there will be two or more “information boards” around the area, but in particular at the woodland site, giving details of the natural habitat, the history, the wild-life, the possible type of buildings and their use and so on. Also to put in place some picnic benches for ramblers or people to sit and enjoy the area. (One part of the domain gives excellent views over the South Downs and it may be that an information board as to the distant areas of interest and buildings could be incorporated into the scheme.)

In conjunction with such provision, of map boards and points of interest, the intent is to take note of the needs of the less ambulant and provide for an observation point that is more easily accessible.

The whole area has some established footpaths. These paths will be marked with direction signs giving information on the destination, time and distance, for example the link to the Wey and Arun canal and the part this plays in the “long distance path” across West Sussex.

Adjacent to the area, but not in the parish, is a canal (The Wey and Arun Canal) this can be incorporated in to the footpath directions and information on the canal incorporated into the general descriptive matter envisaged.

To that end (descriptive material) a “Trail Map” of the area will be drawn up for use by our walking groups or as a general tourist information guide. This guide would also contain descriptive matter of the history and ancient wooded area and so on.

All of the work to be carried out will be recorded, photographed and a video made. The general photography thus produced along with descriptive material and drawings will be coordinated to be used as an exhibition of the work and opportunities that the area offers. The Students will also use this material, video and so on, to show various disadvantaged groups, including the local retirement and old peoples homes, what the project was all about and to share with them its history and current use.

Any work carried out will take cognizance of the long term sustainability of the area as well as the need for conservation.

All of our local groups such as Walkers, History and Nature societies, as well as local Artists, will be encouraged to assist and join with us in the work envisaged.

The Proposed “First Phase” work plan Burnt Row Wood

Objectives

The objective of the first phase work plan is to commence to create an environment within the small wood that will greatly improve the existing woodland structure. The improvements, over a course of time, will benefit the leisure activities of the community (walkers and picnicking or just somewhere to go for a little solitude) and the wildlife that inhabits and uses the wood. The area will also be used as an educational resource both in the creation and maintenance of the site. Extended Five-year and Fifteen Year plans are envisaged to be designed with provision for inclusion of a wide range of participants. However progress will be reviewed on a regular basis.

Site Work to be carried out in the Autumn of 2004

Comment: Lack of management has led to the deterioration of this site that has great potential to become a valuable asset to the local community. The aim is to improve the area and make it a welcoming, spiritual and educational resource to benefit all.

• Dead wood all trees that overhang existing pathways or may present a risk to the public
  
• Drain site that will include maintenance of ditches.
  
• Cap, restore or fence well depending on its historical significance.
  
• Clear woodland of ivy and thin out around archaeological area ready for survey. Students from the Weald school can complete this task.
  
• Complete archaeological survey
  
• Continue to clear woodland of ivy and open up site to sunlight. This will encourage the rejuvenation of the ground flora. Burn on site if possible.
  
• Using spoil create neatly stacked habitat piles. Spoil can also be used for log edging of the footpath. This makes an extremely appealing invitation into the wood.
  

Note: These some of these tasks will require professional contractors to assess and advise as to the proper procedures to be undertaken. The funding for this is included in the Heritage Grant.

Second and Third Phase work

Note: The time scales are not fixed but it is envisaged that most of these tasks will be completed by end 2005 or spring 2006, however the Heritage Grant envisages a completion date of June 2007 and this will give ample time to rework or reconsider any implications that have not been foreseen in this initial planning stage.

• Review the situation regarding the Archaeological part of the project and plan the detail of work required at the site
  
• Produce the detailed History and Archaeological survey and report
  
• Action the historical and archaeological recommendations
  
• Remove all fencing and barbed wire after consultation with other landowners.
  
• Prepare potential picnic site again using chippings.
  
• Make safe with fencing small pond in northern corner. This will need reassessing for potential hazards if drainage does not work.
  
• Makes signs to educate and inform.
  
• Look at establishing a community volunteer scheme (Friends of Burnt Row Wood)
  
• Lay hedge along NE boundary and replant if necessary.
  
• Create and position permanent interpretation boards.
  
• Create and position bat and bird boxes and other small animal homes.
  
• Position picnic tables with litter bins. This can only be done once the area is considered safe.
  
  (All of the above can be completed with the help of students and volunteers. Costs are included in the Heritage Grant)

The Management Plan

This document has two principal management plans that each address similar issues and set out the procedures to be followed to achieve the overall objective of restoration and sustainable woodland. Each one has merit in its recommendations but none is subordinate to another. The resulting tasks will therefore follow the general trend of the two plans rather than any one of them.

The time scales as recorded are to be taken as an academic exercise and not to be read as a factual approach to the work plan. The tasks as set down in each report will be addressed but in a shorter time frame.

The Site Plan

The site plan produced by Jackie North is to be recognised as the definitive plan of the site.

Wildlife “Flora and Fauna”

The detailed listing of the flora and fauna of the site produced by Dawn Lovell is the definitive survey at this time. Whilst time constraints did not allow for a more comprehensive listing nevertheless the record made is a substantial basis for any consideration to be made as work in and around the area proceeds.

As the woodland is re-established the “Anticipated” list, contained in Dawn Lovell’s report, will no doubt emerge as the area becomes more accessible to both animals and plants.