Between the two posts to the left of the shore path is the way in to a little wood....
It was planted by children from the (long gone) village school.
You step inside out of the hot sunshine and the cool and shade envelop you, you walk more slowly, breathe more deeply and begin to look around....wild cherry, oak, whitebeam, holly and ivy
Nature has created a sculpture for you to admire and a myriad of creatures to inhabit.
Stellaria and pignut sparkle in the dappled sunlight
Delicate aspen were planted in 1977 for the Silver Jubilee - soft grass and bluebells have carpeted the floor - nature has made it her own
With pink campion in patches here and there the atmosphere is peaceful and almost magical
What better time than this, the Diamond Jubilee, for the Hall Association to put into action a long thought of plan to add to the diversity of the wood with some new trees, clear up some winter damage and restore the little path which used to run throught the wood - just the kind of low key, naturalistic, minimum intervention kind of community project I love to be involved with..
This is one of the crab apples planted all those years ago by a child who will now be about 65 years old.
A plan is being prepared - the aim to maintain the magic and keep it healthy and thriving for future generations to enjoy, and for insects, birds and small mammals to inhabit.