There is an area of woodland adjoining High Street in Sandbach just beyond the Old Hall Hotel. Its boundaries are High Street, the Old Mill Road and Brook Court (off Brookhouse Lane). The woodland between the stream and the Old Hall Hotel is owned by Congleton Borough Council, that between the stream and Old Mill Road by (we understand) Cheshire County Council. A small group from the Clean Team looked into the conservation and maintenance plans for this site and made some progress.

A meeting was held on 15th December for those people and organisations interested in the preservation of this unique woodland and a report was made on the progress made to date. At the close of the meeting it had been decided to set up an extended group to look at the way forward to develop a management plan for the land. Sam Corcoran agreed to lead the project, six others agreed to join this group (including three members of the Sandbach Clean Team).

Anyone interested in the work of this group (and possibly joining it) should contact Sam Corcoran on 01270-753038

PRESS RELEASE

Jacki Hulse and Rob the Reserves Officer from Cheshire Wildlife Trust visited St Mary's Wood off High Street in Sandbach last week for a site visit. Using their knowledge of trees and ground flora they realised that StMary's Wood is part of an ancient woodland. Although the woodland only covers a small area it is an important part of the wildlife corridor enabling animals to travel alongside the River Arclid. The combination of young and mature trees together with ground cover and dead wood provide a perfect wildlife refuge which is remarkable in a site so close to Sandbach town centre. Sam Corcoran from 'Friends of Sandbach Woodland' said, "We are very grateful to Cheshire Wildlife Trust for their advice on how best to preserve this ancient woodland. Our recently formed group will be meeting again soon to discuss the recommendations. We have already identified a small patch of Japanese Knotweed on the other side of the River Arclid and we will be working with Cheshire County Council to ensure that this is controlled before it spreads into the woodland area.' Anyone wishing to help with the work should contact Sam Corcoran on 01270 753038 or email fosw@ncla.org.uk