Lady Reilly planted the Wood and then gave it to the Woodland Trust in 1982.

Early in 2007, a group of residents formed Little Garden Wood Limited, with the aim of restoring the Wood as an amenity which the Village can enjoy.

The Company has a 99-year lease from the Woodland Trust - on a rent-free basis - and also has charitable status.

A full programme of restoration, upkeep and improvement is now underway.

Regular working parties are organised throughout the year.  These have proved to be a rewarding and enjoyable way for volunteers to become connected with the Wood as the seasons change.

Little Garden Wood

The story so far .....

Friends of the wood have so far donated just over £3,000 (including reclaimed Gift Aid) which is being used to fund the restoration work.  

If you would like to make a donation or find out more about the project, please email littlegardenwood@ramsdenvillage.co.uk for more details - Thank you.

For more details, please email littlegardenwood@ramsdenvillage.co.uk

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Working Party

Saturday 8th November 2008

Task : Clear hedge parallel to Little Lane of brambles and dead wood & install bird boxes

More of the cherry & diseased chestnuts have been felled over the winter and replacement trees for the Avenue will be purchased.

Working Party

Saturday 19th December 2009

Task : Clear-up after felling, incorporate the useable branches into the dead hedge along Little Garden Lane, burn what cannot be used and generally tidy-up.

Dead-hedging October 2009

New gate being fitted March 2009

Bird nesting boxes

Wearing stout gloves and with a variety of secateurs, loppers and brush-cutting machinery, the 12 volunteer foresters successfully transformed an area of overgrown brambles into a little woodland glade.

Working Party

Saturday 8th March 2008

Task : Clear area of overgrown brambles

The clearing was maintained over the following months encouraging woodland flowers and wildlife to thrive in their new habitat.

Working Party : Saturday 6th February 2010

A working party of 16 doughty souls met on Saturday 6 February to plant new stock in the wood.  Nick Mottram of the Wychwood Project began proceedings with a short but thorough and practical talk on planting techniques which the team then put into practice and proved what able learners they were.  Some photos of their efforts appear below.

A total of 90 plants were installed and protected by deer proof shelters.  For those who might wish to know what is what, each stake bears a number according to the following code:  

1 English Oak (quercus robor)

2 Sweet Chestnut (castanea sativa)

3 Field Maple (acer campestre)

4 Hazel (corylus avellana)

5 Spindle (euonymus europaea)

6 Crab Apple (malus sylvestris)

7 Guelder Rose (viburnum opulus)

8 Wayfaring Tree (viburnum lantana)

We now await the spring with impatience to see the effect of our work.  

We wish to thank Murray Maclean of Frilford Farm, Tim Sweet of the Glympton Estate and Nick Mottram of the Wychwood Project or their help and encouragement.  We also acknowledge with gratitude the handsome contribution made by the Friends of Wychwood towards the cost of the work.