Conservation Group

The Thwaite Brow Woods Conservation Group, a team of volunteers from Bolton-le-Sands, meets monthly to care for the community woodland. New volunteers are always welcome—join us!

Thwaite Brow Woods

10-Year Management Plan

Bolton-le-Sands Parish Council has agreed on a 10-year (2017 – 2027) Management Plan for the woodland in partnership with the Forestry Commission and Natural England. The plan is managed by the Thwaite Brow Woods Conservation Project.

Operations Map

Oak Bench Installation

September 2023

In September 2023, the group installed a rustic oak bench in memory of Robert Swain. Crafted by Brian Crawley from the branches of an oak felled earlier in the year, the bench serves as a tribute to Robert’s skill in ‘barking’—stripping oak bark for use in England’s last remaining tannery. It was especially touching to see Robert’s dog, Star, brought along by his new owner, Sarah. RIP Robert, you will be missed.

Robert Swain Memorial Bench

Robert Swain’s Bench and dog ‘Star’

Bat Boxes & Viewing Platform

March 2022

Bat Boxes

Two new bat boxes have been installed on trees along the canal path, with plans for four more boxes, both by the canal and on the woodland boundary.

Viewing Platform

Recent work saw the removal of trees on the steep bank near the canal bridge, creating a new viewpoint at the top of the steps. A safety fence has been added, and final touches will soon complete the project.

Ongoing Management Work

December 2021

Key focus areas for the management plan include:

• Maintaining access paths and regular litter picking
• Thinning dense tree areas to encourage new growth
• Providing space for veteran and notable trees
• Maintaining and enhancing viewpoints
• Removing non-native and invasive plants
• Coppicing small areas to rejuvenate dormant plant life
• Planting new trees and shrubs in open spaces
• Installing and maintaining 26 new wildlife boxes
• Monitoring the woodland’s wildlife

Limited activity occurred during the pandemic, aside from essential maintenance like footpath care, fence repairs, and birdbox upkeep. Earlier in 2021, a large leaning oak was felled for safety reasons.

Tree Recycling

Summer 2021

After the oak tree was felled, its long, straight trunk was sent to Charlie Whinney’s workshop in Grange-over-Sands, where it was steam-bent and used for a project at the Chelsea Flower Show. The wood was later relocated to a specialist mental health unit in Dartford. Before removal, the bark was stripped from the trunk and branches, with the smaller branch wood used to create a ‘dead hedge’ around the stump to prevent deer from browsing new growth.

An earlier project involved cutting an unwanted oak branch growing into a neighboring field. The bark was peeled, and the branch wood was transformed into a rustic bench, donated to Abbeyfield nursing home in Bolton-le-Sands.

Remarkably, every part of the felled oak tree was used, ensuring nothing went to waste.