Arsonists hit Acomb Wood

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.

Supporting local volunteers

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.

A productive Acomb Wood litter pick!
Graffiti was removed from a number of locations, including here on Wharfe Drive

Then on Sunday, Paula and Stephen helped the Chapmans Pond volunteer team with some tree-planting.

Dringhouses Scouts clean up Acomb Wood!

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

Volunteer boost for Acomb Wood

A team of volunteers from the Food Standards Agency have joined forces with the Friends of Acomb Wood to improve the local environment.

On 18th October a team of volunteers (pictured below) planted over 550 bulbs and built a dead hedge.

Acomb Wood FSA volunteers

And one volunteer spent a few hours with a graffiti removal kit returning the Ashbourne Way noticeboard (pictured below) to a much improved state.

Acomb Wood noticeboard

 

We’d like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to all involved.