William Fowler Memorial Wood

In 1892 a 23.5 acre (9.5 hectare) field called the Picked Close or Long Ground was given to the town of Chipping Norton by former resident Mr William Fowler, then living in South Australia. The field was to be let as working men’s allotments of ¼ acre each. A century on, the allotment land, which adjoins Glyme Lane close to Chipping Norton School, was underused. Then, in the winter of 2001-2, to mark the start of a new millennium, seven acres (3 ha) of it were planted up with trees, mostly native broadleaf species, to create “a community wood for the townspeople to walk in and enjoy.”

Not all the tree species chosen have thrived; the soil is rather poor and the site lacks shelter. However, in the sunny open spaces have appeared wildflowers suited to the conditions, which certainly enhance visitors’ experience as they include a variety of orchids. A floral sample is featured at the top of this page; from left to right, mayflower on a sprig of hawthorn, a bee orchid, apple blossom, a pyramidal orchid and cowslips.  

Since the onset of ash dieback, diseased trees have had to be felled and we have planted other species to replace some of them. Another ongoing task is the cutting back of invasive blackthorn, particularly along the edges of the Wood.

Hazel does grow well and we have coppiced this for use in laying hedges and as stakes and pea sticks, free for everyone to collect.

Coppicing at the Wood – a job to be done when trees are dormant

We have organised courses at the Wood to learn hedgelaying and also hurdle making and have  used William Fowler Wood hazel to make hurdles and for hedgelaying both there and elsewhere, such as at the Community Orchard.

Learning how to make hurdles at William Fowler Wood

The twenty-year-old Wood is increasingly fulfilling its purpose as a place which is a pleasure to visit, and is especially popular with dogwalkers. In June 2023 Green Gym provided and installed a picnic bench there.

Now who was supposed to have brought the picnic?

“A community wood for the townspeople to walk in and enjoy.”

 

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