ABC Wednesday - Forests

Today I am celebrating forests for two reasons. One, obviously, because it is ABC Wednesday but the other is that the government have done a U turn and backed off from selling off the  forests in public ownership.  The 'consultation' of selling the forest was announced quietly but a growing vocal opposition to the plan, pointed out the financial figures did not add up and the government would probably end up making nothing.  Forestry consultants also thought it was a woolly plan and were suspicious of the motives. Prices of timber are at a high, perhaps the government had interested parties who thought they could make a killing.  With the present economic cuts yet to bite and also cross party opposition Prime Minister Cameron must have decided this may be one future fight too many and announced the scrapping of the idea.

But of course opposition to the plan was not really about money, it was about access.  The area I live is full of woods and if it had not been grey and raining for a week I would have gone out and taken some photographs, but as I am a wimp I'm using photos from my archive, so the seasons following will change in a random manner

A field of sheep munching contently by the small hamlet surrounded by a mixed wood forest. Some well worn paths take routes through the forest, others in the growing season may

not be as easy to find. The map person is not too keen on forests when paths disappear in undergrowth and all direction is lost.  The ones in the background are not heavily used but other areas such as

around Yew Tree Tarn are one of the areas favoured by walkers being in the Lake District proper. In places like Grizedale Forest it has wonderful paths for mountain bikers and is famous for its pieces of art scattered around the forest which one can come on unexpectedly

Photo courtesy of Anne Bowker

This would have been one of the forests under threat as it is owned by the Forestry Commission. The main Cumbrian "Save Our Forests" demonstration was held here.  I would guess it is the most used forest in the county, while still also  a working forest.  I am not uncritical of the Forestry Commission for in the past they have tended to plant nothing but rows of firs

but in recent more enlightened times there are a mix of firs and deciduous trees.  Which are better for the forest plants and birds

It would be wrong to condemn all privately owned forests, some are well managed but perfectly accessible

 

to walkers and cyclists like the ones owned by the Holker estate.  At bluebell time this metalled track leads to a gate into the wood where it will be a perfumed blue heaven.  But when a piece of forest was sold recently

on the east side of Coniston Water the new owner installed a gate, lock and chain.  The stile access is still available into the mixed forest of sessile oaks, beech and birch but you have to get to the stile first. This side of the lake is used by people just wanting to sit by the side of the lake, mess about in boat, or walk and cycle in the forest.  The east side of the lake has a narrow road

mostly one car width, (stop tuck in and pass), so limited parking on the road (no public transport).  There a small rough car parks of various sizes every couple of miles, the one that has been closed off is one of the larger ones holding about 18 cars (with or without boats).  Hopefully the public mood will mean that no further pieces of forest will be sold off (in this case for what seemed a rather low price) and they will be managed for future generations to enjoy.

Follow the link to ABC Wednesday where there will be more words starting with F