SITUATED in Bishop’s Hull, just off Silk Mills, Netherclay Community Woodland is a beautiful, designated Local Nature Reserve, with the River Tone running along one edge. It borders a Somerset Wildlife Trust reserve, creating an important area for conservation. There are more than 15,000 trees.

The woodland is popular with walkers and people who seek calm and respite from the demands of modern life. Green spaces are good for you!

The woodland and river are home to many species (kingfisher, trout, salmon, otter, mouse, woodpecker & dipper for example) and NCW is a major site in the South-West for the Brown Hairstreak butterfly.

The Friends of NCW work closely with SWTrust in the management of the two areas. The aim is to create an environment with a focus on community use close to Netherclay Road, which gradually becomes “wilder” as you move further into the reserve.

Then the emphasis becomes more targeted at supporting wildlife. Balancing these two competing needs can be tricky.

Just over a year ago a committee of local volunteers was set up to maintain and improve the woodland site for the community and for wildlife. We meet once a week to carry out projects on site.

The committee meets once a month in the village pub to plan ahead. You are welcome to attend!

We have organised events such as a Dawn Chorus Walk, tree identification days and took part in “Plant a Tree Day” (Taunton Green Parents and Bishops Hull School both involved).

We continue to develop and improve the site. In the future, we would like to set up a Forest School for local children.

If you haven’t yet visited – please do. Take care, as some paths are uneven.

We are always looking for more volunteers for the committee and for the working party (usually 10am -noon on Wednesdays).

If you think you could help, please contact me on 1mikeamos@gmail.com.

Enjoy!

MIKE AMOS
Netherclay Nature Reserve