On Sunday 5th November teams of young people from Dringhouses Scouts (and parents!) did a clean-up in Acomb Wood. As well as removing lots of litter, the paths through the wood were swept.
Many thanks to all who helped out!
The Friends of Acomb Wood will hold their AGM on Wednesday 5th October at 7.30pm at Foxwood Community Centre.
Anyone interested in joining the Friends and helping to maintain and improve Acomb Wood is welcome to attend.
Just a day after local volunteers had spent time and effort cleaning up Acomb Wood, a group of arsonists decided to start a fire in a ‘den’ that had been constructed in the wood. Luckily, a resident living nearby saw what was happening and called the emergency services, who attended.
From the charred remains, it appears that the arsonists were putting canisters on the fire which then exploded.
It is desperately disappointing that some people have such little care or regard for the local environment. In order to reduce the risk of a repeat performance, this den – and any dens subsequently built in the wood – will have to be dismantled.
Councillors Stephen Fenton and Paula Widdowson were out and about over the weekend supporting the hard work of local volunteers.
On Saturday Stephen joined the Friends of Acomb Wood for a litter pick, which was part of Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean activities, and then did a spot of graffiti removal.
Then on Sunday, Paula and Stephen helped the Chapmans Pond volunteer team with some tree-planting.
The efforts of a local volunteer, Michael, are helping to keep drainage ditches in Acomb Wood clear of vegetation.
After periods of heavy rain the ditches through Acomb Wood between Girvan Close and Alness Drive often fill up, and so keeping them clear boosts their capacity and reduces the flood risk to nearby properties.
As well as clearing the ditches of vegetation and leaves, Michael also maintains and improves the area alongside the path through the wood that links Acomb Wood Drive with Alness Drive.
Cllr Stephen Fenton said “For many years Michael has spent a huge amount of his own time maintaining and improving this area for residents to enjoy, His ditch clearing work is particularly important in reducing the risk of surface water flooding.
“Many hands make light work, so it would be great if other local residents could volunteer as much or as little time as they have to help keep our green open spaces in good condition. If anyone can help, please get in touch with me on 787988.”
The community noticeboard on Girvan Close has had an unexpected makeover.
The perspex cover was smashed a few weeks ago, but a mix-up has led to a new cover being installed that bears the lettering ‘Acomb ward’ rather than ‘Dringhouses & Woodthorpe ward.’
We understand that repairs were being made to one of the noticeboards in Acomb ward at the same time and the two covers were inadvertently mixed up. They should be swapped over sometime soon.
Heavy rain and strong winds made an impact on Sunday 7th February, with ditches waterlogged and at least one tree down. Thankfully there have been no reports of damage to property.
Local residents are invited to join in with some outdoor volunteering activities on Wednesday 16 October in woodland off Acomb Wood Drive.
There are sessions starting at 9.30am and 1pm.
On Sunday 20th January a team of over 40 young people (and parents) from Dringhouses Scouts led a big clean-up in Acomb Wood.
The hard paths have been thoroughly swept, litter has been picked from the Wood and Meadow, and vegetation cut back from around the entrance into the wood from Bellwood Drive.
Cllr Stephen Fenton awaiting the Scouts’ arrival
Paths transformed!
Lots of litter collected
A new path leading from Ashbourne Way to the entrance to Acomb Wood is taking shape, thanks to the efforts of a team from The Conservation Volunteers.
Work on the path, which has been funded from the Dringhouses & Woodthorpe ward budget, started on Thursday 23 March and should be completed on the 24th.