Hob Hey Wood provides a valuable amenity, offering open space, woodlands walks and access to wildlife. As an ancient woodland, it provides a diverse and increasingly rare environment for wildlife and plants; over 500 species have been recorded. Hob Hey Wood Friends Group is an active volunteer group, committing over 200 person hours in 2023 to date with a following of 1000+ individuals on Facebook. We now need your help to renovate the various pathways (10+ years old) which are a mix of boardwalk, gravel and bare earth and provide a guide for visitors to the wood. Upgrading these pathways will improve accessibility and safety so everybody can enjoy the positive benefits of having a thriving ancient woodland full of flora and fauna on their doorstep. Not only can we achieve an accessible, natural and tranquil setting for visitors and the local community to explore at their leisure, we can also engage the community through volunteering and provide a resource for educational activities.

What we'll deliver:

• Replacement of 72m existing aging raised timber boardwalk with sustainable, recycled composite materials
• Replacement of 3 x 4m existing aging timber bridges with sustainable, recycled composite materials, including hand rails
• Replacement of 50 aging timber risers for steps approaching and between bridges with composite board risers
• Upgrade of 100m existing unsurfaced path with boarded gravel surface
• Repair and improved drainage of 100m existing boarded gravel access pathway

Why it's a great idea:

Renovating Hob Hey Wood pathways will provide safer access for visitors to enjoy a place of natural beauty where they can get involved in activities to promote their own health and well-being and encourage wildlife and fauna. - Volunteers repairing / maintaining / revitalising parts of the wood benefit from social interaction and active exercise - Children and families enjoying leisure and play can feel refreshed, relaxed and more comfortable after periods in the wood - Individuals can enjoy the soothing sounds of nature and feeling of being at one with the wood having the effect of calming the mind and lowering anxieties - Communities benefit from physical, psychological and social aspects, whether through immersion in the wood or merely being near to it in the course of everyday activities - Woodland can help to purify our air and water and if well-managed will increase in biodiversity value - A connection with nature promotes interest in care and preservation for future generations

Steps to get it done:

• #1 - purchase materials to replace existing 59m raised timber boardwalk
• #1 - cordon off section of raised boardwalk and pathway from public use
• #1 - dismantle existing raised boardwalk
• #1 - construct new composite raised boardwalk
• #1 - open new composite raised boardwalk and pathway for public use
• #2 - purchase materials to replace existing 2 x 4m timber bridges
• #2 - purchase materials to replace 50 existing timber risers
• #2 - cordon off access to both bridges including steps and pathways from public use
• #2 - dismantle existing timber bridges
• #2 - dismantle existing timber risers
• #2 - reposition new composite bridges, including safety hand rails
• #2 - construct new composite risers for steps approaching and between bridges
• #2 - open new composite bridges, steps and pathways for public use
• #3 - purchase materials to lay 100m new boarded gravel pathway
• #3 - purchase materials to replace existing 3m timber bridge
• #3 - purchase materials to replace existing 13m raised timber boardwalk
• #3 - cordon off bridge and sections of raised boardwalk and pathway from public use
• #3 - dismantle existing timber bridge
• #3 - dismantle existing raised timber boardwalk
• #3 - reposition new composite bridge, including safety hand rails
• #3 - construct new composite raised boardwalk
• #3 - construct new boarded gravel pathway
• #3 - open new composite bridge, raised boardwalk and gravel pathway for public use
• #4 - purchase materials to repair and improve drainage of existing 15m boarded gravel access pathway
• #4 - cordon off access pathway from public use
• #4 - dismantle existing timber boards, gravel and membrane
• #4 - construct new drainage system to prevent flood damage
• #4 - construct new boarded gravel access pathway
• #4 - open new boarded gravel access pathway
• #5 - host open day for the community on completion of all works