Corby Woodland Project
Corby Woodland Project,
North Northants Council
Partners in "Building the Links for Rockingham Forest"
Corby Woodland Project cares for the fragments of Rockingham Forest and green spaces that remain in and around the town of Corby. These include Hazel and Thoroughsale Woods, King's Wood Nature Reserve, Weldon Woodland Park and East Carlton Countryside Park, where a not-for-profit shop sells sustainable and locally sourced firewood and hazel products made by volunteers in the woodland workshop next door.
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We run regular family fun days through the school holidays such as bug hunts, guided walks and forest school taster sessions.
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There are six Friends groups for the woodland areas who are committed to ensuring the woodlands are safe, welcoming and attractive sites.
Key achievements of the project have been:
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fantastic engagement with local volunteers
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securing the nationally recognised Green Flag and Green Apple awards
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recognition from the Royal Forestry Society in their Excellence in Forestry Awards for Community Forestry
Thoroughsale Wood in the centre of Corby
As part of the Building the Links project, NNC Woodland Project will be:
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Running a series of guided walks in the woodlands for families, special groups and the wider public
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Running 10 training courses, each for 20 volunteers, on topics such as tree planting, community tree nurseries, orchards, setting up new Friends groups and wildlife identification
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Running accredited courses such as First Aid, managing volunteers, leading guided walks and LANTRA Tree Survey and Inspection.
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Training eight teaching assistants as Forest Schools leaders, to engage children in Corby’s woodlands.
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Employing a RHS ‘Forestry Roots’ trainee for 1 year with the Woodland Ranger Team. The role will be aimed at a college/university leaver with limited experience, to help them make their first steps into a career in conservation.
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Providing and supporting two Kickstart placements
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Supporting the establishment of a Tree Warden scheme (details here) and helping with Parish nature Recovery and Neighbourhood Plans
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Engaging with the Queen's platinum jubilee scheme with 70 tree plantings and mapping 70 veteran trees within Corby
A Friends group at work in the woodland
In 2022, Hazel and Thoroughsale Woods was chosen as one of 70 Ancient Woodlands dedicated to Her Majesty as part of the
Queens Green Canopy
In 2023, NNC received funding to help up to 30 local groups to create community orchards.
Contact details
Rebecca Jenkins, Woodlands manager, Assets and Environment
North Northamptonshire Council
Deene House, New Post Office Square, Corby, Northants NN17 1GD
T: 01536 464019 M: 07967 308287
Rebecca.Jenkins@northnorthants.gov.uk
To discuss volunteering opportunities, please send an email to cultureleisure@northnorthants.gov.uk.