A COMMUNITY woodland in Keynsham has been given a new lease of life thanks to the combined efforts of volunteers and a council tree team.
Abbotts Wood was planted as part of the Forest of Avon and Forestry Commission grant scheme in the early 1990s.
It has had a chequered history with changes of ownership and concerns for its welfare, as three housing developments were built around it and drainage was driven through it.
It survived until the onset of ash dieback that emerged nationally in 2012 reached Abbotts Wood in the 2020s.
Bath & North East Somerset Council identified the infected trees and felled them in 2024 to protect the public.
Local district councillor Alan Hale, who has been involved in the woods’ welfare for many years, said: “The wood was a community initiative which saw a lovely area developed for walkers, dog walkers and children right on their doorstep.
“The new estates were built, and with them came a new community and a new group of people willing to care for the woods.”
An action day on March 10 saw the council’s arboricultural manager, Denise Hart, and her team turn up supported by some 20 volunteers, which resulted in 500 saplings being planted.
The planting revived memories for volunteer Kate Hollister, who came along with her children Ellie and Oscar.
Kate was wearing a badge awarded to her as a child when she planted a tree in the then newly expanding wood.
Cllr Hale said: “It was lovely to see real community volunteering in action. One of the volunteers had even arranged a volunteer day off work to come along and get muddy, and there were smiles all round.”
Sue Treasure, community representative on the Friends of Abbotts Wood group, said: “As someone who is a neighbour to the woods, it was very sad shortly after we moved in to see the felling taking place, and a once well-stocked wood became very threadbare.
“The action day has resolved that situation, and it will be lovely to watch the saplings grow from the fun and enjoyment that the volunteers had.”
Lots of preparation work was needed to ensure the action day’s success. Sarah Wilcox, one of the main volunteer leaders, organised a litter pick the week before to clear the area of rubbish and abandoned items, such as ladders and decorating equipment.
Sarah said: “When we do a litter pick, it never surprises me the odd things we find.”
During the afternoon, Sarah talked to the council team about further improvements to the woodland, including potential forest school sessions during the summer holiday, bulb-planting next spring, extra waste facilities, benches, and bat and bird boxes.
Cllr Hale said: “Without industrious volunteers such as Sarah and others involved, community events such as the action day would never happen or certainly not be so successful.”
Pictured above, volunteers Don and Pat Weston with Cllr Alan Hale at Abbotts Wood
Below, Kate Hollister, wearing the badge she received as a child for planting trees in the wood, with her children Ellie and Oscar
