A struggling woodland near Chew Valley Lake is being brought back to life with some help from schoolchildren from Chew Stoke Church School. Children helped plant the forest with 300 bluebell and snowdrop bulbs, bringing a little magic back to the tired forest.
Woodlands are special places, often full of memories and thoughts inspired by nature. They also need careful tending. The woods next to Woodford Lodge at Chew Valley Lake had been struggling for some time, with overcrowded trees, ash dieback, and even squirrel damage taking a toll.
Thanks to careful thinning and management from Life for a Life Memorial Forests, the woodland is finally getting a fresh start. New trees will be planted and eventually the site will become a memorial woodland, with trees planted in memory of loved ones.
Bluebells and snowdrops to bring the forest floor back to life
Before the new trees go in, Life for a Life wanted to plant native flowers to brighten the woodland each spring and support local wildlife. This was a wonderful opportunity to offer to young conservationists from the nearby Chew Stoke Church School.
The schoolchildren helped plant 300 bulbs. The young people were so enthusiastic about planting the bulbs, digging in the soil with little hands and patting the earth down over the bulbs. There were giggles every time a worm made an appearance. Their energy, joy and curiosity were infectious.
The children showed such care and respect for nature in their actions. It was a beautiful reminder of how naturally compassionate children are when they’re given a chance to connect with the world around them. One child said: “I can’t wait to bring my family to see the bulbs I planted!”
A place to remember
Hopefully, the experience of planting bulbs will be something these children remember for years to come. Learning about nature and how things grow can spark appreciation that lasts a lifetime. Some of the children will come back to visit the flowers, knowing they played a part in something meaningful.
The flowers that grow year after year will also help people who come to the woods to remember people they’ve lost, in a peaceful place where life and remembrance come together.
What does this mean for Bristol Water?
This whole effort is part of our ongoing partnership with Life for a Life to manage the woodland sustainably, balancing conservation with community engagement. This project is a great example of how we support biodiversity as well as connecting with communities.
If you’d like to learn more about Life for a Life or how you can get involved, Check out www.lifeforalife.org.uk. And if you’re ever near Woodford Lodge, take a wander into the woodland, you might just spot the first few snowdrops pushing up through the earth.
