Long’s Wood
Long’s Wood was the brainchild of Dennis Long of Fir Grove. He regarded it as a logical extension to set-aside farming schemes which had been introduced to the UK farming scene in the 1980s. The wood was conceived to help create a responsibly managed environment, benefitting wildlife whilst providing public access. It is exclusively planted with native British trees.
In the early 1990s, Dennis had been able to obtain grant funding from the Forestry Commission (now Forestry England) and Norfolk County Council.
Planted in three phases – in 1994, 1998 and 2000 – Long’s Wood encompasses 70 acres, previously farmland at Fir Grove.
The wood sits across an earlier field plan with its existing hedgerows and trees incorporated into the new scheme. Multiple footpaths crisscross the planted area.
The trees were planted as ‘whips’ and tree guards ensured they were not eaten by deer!
Oak, Ash and Field Maple were planted in all sectors of the wood with additional tree species mixed amongst them in accordance with the scheme shown here. The planting team, led by Mike Foster, had a big job on their hands.
Rosemary Tilbrook, resident of Ashwellthorpe, author and newspaper columnist on nature, was invited to plant a ceremonial tree and declare the first phase of Long’s Wood ‘open’!
Long’s Wood soon became popular with ramblers, dog walkers and those simply out for their regular exercise.
The children of Wreningham School made use of the wood through class visits and studies. Successions of children and their teachers witnessed its steady evolution.
Due to the distance between the school and the wood, Spratts Coaches (today, no longer in operation) had been delighted to provide the occasional transport.
In tune with the times, nature studies took an increasing role in school life.
An Art Installation: ‘There’s the Rub’
In 2005, a sculpture trail – comprising 20 post-mounted metal plaques – was added to the wood. Commissioned by Norfolk County Council, it was designed and executed by artists John Behm and Rachael Long.
The plaques comprise representations of various plants, animals, birds and water creatures, together with symbols of woodland myth and legend!
A listing of the post-mounted plaques and their (downloadable) map locations in the wood can be found here.
Wildlife and Biodiversity
As the wood grew and flourished, there was a progressive boost to the range and diversity of local wildlife. With more places for plants and creatures to hide and survive, a more complex food chain resulted. In turn, more plant and animal species became visible to those who went to look.
The following wildlife photographs are courtesy of Stuart Merchant:
After thirty years …
Awards
In 1998, at The Royal Show, Stoneleigh, Dennis Long was presented with the Royal Forestry Society’s award for the best farm woodland planting scheme in eastern England. At the time, Long’s Wood is understood to have been the largest new woodland in Norfolk.
Dennis Long later received a Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership award.
The Coronation Meadow
Initially conceived in 2010, to reintroduce Sulphur Clover to the farm, Fir Grove’s project became part of a national Coronations Meadow initiative founded by (the then) HRH Prince Charles.
The purpose of his project was to reverse the decline of traditional hay meadows as well as create new ones using traditional local seeds from the area.
In 2012, the Fir Grove meadow became an official Coronation Meadow for Norfolk. It covers an area of ground once used for holding cattle and is believed never to have been ploughed.
Considerable support has been provided for the meadow project by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) Norfolk.
1924 – 2011
1927 – 2024