Swan Wood, Stock

As you probably know, Swan Wood is owned by The Woodland Trust, the national charity specialising in the preservation and extension of woodland for enjoyment by the public. Only three hundred yards from the centre of Stock, down Swan Lane. it makes an interesting alternative to visiting Norsev Wood. It is smaller (and not so easy to get lost in!) - 52 acres, comprising 32 acres of ancient woodland and a further 20 acres of farmland purchased last year, partly funded by the Millennium Commission and Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts, supplemented by a local appeal.

There are many differences between the two woods, and also much in common. Swan Wood has only a small coppiced area and lacks the large areas of Sweet Chestnut found at Norsev. In Spring, however, the Bluebells can be spectacular. There is a stream running through Swan Wood, with tall willow and oak trees in the valley. Plantings of Azaleas and Bamboo survive from the days of private ownership, when the wood was part of the Greenwoods estate. Swan Wood is not listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which allows greater flexibility of management. Local volunteers have mapped the footpaths and carried out a preliminary survey of the flora. So far we have found only one plant species that is not on the Norsey Wood list.

The newly purchased area is split between three fields. The first one you come to is on the right in Swan Lane on leaving Stock, known locally as Roly Poly Meadow. It has been used for grazing, and the intention is to allow the woodland to regenerate naturally. Further on, past the entrance to the wood, is another field where the last crop grown was Broad Beans. It has been named Cygnet Wood, and over 100 Woodland Trust members and local people turned up on 3 December 2000 for a tree-planting day. We managed to plant the entire 1400 young trees of native species provided by the Trust.

From the lane it looks like a forest of stakes and protective tubes! Closer inspection discloses an unusually high survival rate, and a Certificate of Merit has been awarded by Essex Environmental Trust in recognition of the exceptional quality of the new planting. A broad ride has been left unplanted to preserve the view over the valley of the River Wid, with a bench installed at the viewpoint. There is an overgrown pond at the bottom of the field, which it is planned to clear and enlarge, to encourage wetland plants and wildlife.

The remaining new area, also an old bean field, is at the far end of the wood and adjoins the golf course. The St Peter's Way long-distance footpath runs past it. This is also being allowed to regenerate naturally.

A working party of Woodland Trust supporters has been formed to supplement the work carried out by contractors and to provide a local presence, as the Trust has no local staff, its first two jobs have been to clear undergrowth threatening to overwhelm a pond inside the wood and to make a path from there to Cygnet Wood.

Together, Norsey Wood and Swan Wood considerably enhance the environment of our area and make an important contribution to the conservation of wildlife.