On a number of occasions, the Society has been able to assist with enhancing the amenities at the Wood by obtaining grant-funding for initiatives that could not have been financed wholly from Council expenditure. These have included the original Easy Access Trail, additional equipment for the dipping pond at the Information Centre, the cycle racks, hand lenses for use on guided walks, a Jubilee seat, re-excavation of an overgrown pond and improved picnic tables. The Society has also itself funded the printing of a leaflet explaining the management regime, particularly coppicing, to the public and regularly pays the cost of the “heavy horse” demonstrations on Open Day. In more recent years, with the Council’s staff-resources ever more thinly stretched, Committee members have given extra assistance to the Ranger by taking on the management of a number of small projects.

The Society and its members have always been major supporters of the annual Open Day at the Wood and we have recently been trying to increase the profile of the Society and the Wood by mounting displays at outside events such as the annual “Summerfest” held at Sun Corner each July.

Attendances at our public meetings have inevitably fluctuated over the years but figures around 50 are still not unusual and we find this pleasing in an age when home-based entertainment is the preference for many.

Communication with members through production of a regular Newsletter has always been a high priority for the Society and quarterly publication has been the norm throughout our 40-year life. A Roneo’d and stapled format was used for many years but a major step forward was made in 2008 with the introduction of colour and a magazine style was adopted three years later. Our newsletter is now also available via email and published on the Society Page of our website. We are also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.