Witney News - Support for Wychwood Project

Support for Wychwood Project

£27,000 has been allocated by West Oxfordshire District Council to the Wychwood Project. This unique countryside project, which carries out important local conservation work, has received regular financial support from the District Council since its inception in 1997.

West Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council are the Wychwood Project's principal funders with increasing support from the voluntary fundraising activities of the 'Friends of the Wychwood'.

District Councillors recognise the effort and commitment made by the Friends of the Wychwood and Cabinet Member, Cllr Verena Hunt said, "This is a dedicated group of people who have already contributed a great deal towards the work of the Project. They give up their time voluntarily to help on a wide range of landscape and habitat management projects such as planting trees and restoring hedgerows. Their fundraising efforts are also vital to the future of the Project and I am delighted they are planning additional
activities."

One of the additional fundraising activities is a sponsored walk on Sunday 14th May starting in the grounds
of Blenheim Palace. Walkers can choose from a range of routes to suit all abilities, from a leisurely three mile stroll, suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, to a 37-mile hike covering the entire circular Wychwood Way. The sponsored walk is a joint venture with the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).

Cllr Verena Hunt, who will be taking part in the walk said, "It promises to be a great day out. All of the routes take in some of the grounds of Blenheim Palace. It is a great time of year to go out walking and enjoy the wonderful West Oxfordshire countryside."

Alan Spicer, Wychwood Project Chairman said, "Finding additional funding is challenging for us, but we are working on the task. Our first new major fundraising event is the sponsored walk in the Spring and I hope we will have a good turnout. We are, of course, grateful to the District Council for its past and continuing support. The Council's funding provides a solid foundation to promote the continued improvement of environmental quality in West Oxfordshire."

Anyone wishing to take part in the Sponsored Walk should contact BBOWT on 01865 775476 for a registration pack.

Background Information
The focus of the Wychwood Project is about restoring and conserving the landscape and habitats of a large part of West Oxfordshire, which once formed the ancient royal hunting Forest of Wychwood. The area stretches from Woodstock to Taynton and from near Chipping Norton to Northmoor, covering, 41 parishes. The Project also aims to raise awareness of the history and heritage of the area. On-going work includes carrying out local surveys, planting trees, restoring hedgerows, and a wide range of other landscape and habitat management programmes. A full time project worker is employed to coordinate activities.

The Wychwood Forest Fair is the Friend's major fundraising activity and it has become an important annual event in West Oxfordshire. It takes part in September each year.