Tree fellers with a difference

Date:  18 July 2012

'Tree Pirates' will be working in Oxhey Woods Local Nature Reserve next week.

The 'Tree Pirates', a roving band of chainsaw sculptors, will be working in taped off areas of the woodland from Tuesday 24 July - Wednesday 25 July. Visitors are invited to come down and watch them at work as they create sculptures for the new one kilometre wheelchair and pushchair-friendly trail.

In addition to the Tree Pirate creations, a number of other artists have also been appointed to create a whole variety of sculptures, including a magnificent entrance arch, which will be installed along the trail over the coming weeks.  

The 'Tree Pirates' will be working with dangerous machinery and children should be supervised by a responsible adult at all times and dogs kept under close control.

Art competition

Local children can get involved in the design process by submitting drawings of nature and wildlife commonly found in the woods that will be carved into the wooden arch that will mark the start of the trail.  

Melanie Boda, Arts Officer Three Rivers District Council says “The various pieces selected will, in most cases, reflect the wildlife and history of the woods and hopefully one or two will raise a smile!  All pieces will be produced in natural materials and many with wood and materials found in the Local Nature Reserve”.

Children’s drawings should be submitted on A4 paper and include the child’s name, age and address and send to: Melanie Boda, Community Arts Development Officer, Three Rivers District Council, Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth, WD3 1RL. Drawings can be created in black and white or colour and must be received by Friday 27 August to be included in the project.

You can follow progress at the Sculpture Trail's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/oxheywoodssculpturetrail


Countryside Management Service

The Countryside Management Service (CMS) in partnership with Three Rivers District Council are currently working on a £200,000 project to reinvigorate Oxhey Woods Local Nature Reserve in South Oxhey.

Countryside Management Service secured a ‘Your Heritage’ grant for £46,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a further £60,000 through the Forestry Commission’s Woodland Improvement Grant. The remaining project fund has been allocated by Three Rivers District Council.

Oxhey Woods Local Nature Reserve

Oxhey Woods Local Nature Reserve is 97.7 hectares of principally ancient semi-natural woodland in South Oxhey several areas of which date back towards the last ice age some 10,000 years ago.

To make the wood more user-friendly new and improved signs and welcome boards have been put up as well as a one kilometre wheelchair and pushchair-friendly trail.