The Great Wood in Grittenham, near Lyneham is ready for winter and its upcoming restoration project, thanks to 26 volunteers from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and its delivery partner OCU Group.
Armed with gloves and secateurs, the green-fingered colleagues dedicated their day at the site - which is run by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust - to removing invasive species, primarily Rhododendrons, and carrying out coppicing activities to pave the way for new drainage systems as part of a wider project to restore the ancient woodland’s biodiversity.
Covering 71 hectares, The Great Wood is one of the 20 largest ancient woodlands in Wiltshire and is undergoing significant restoration efforts to revive its ecological health. This ancient woodland, home to some of the oldest oak trees and the largest collection of wild service trees in the country, has been commercially managed for decades. The restoration project aims to create more space for rare species, such as the wild service tree, and improve the habitat for a variety of birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
Dave Jones, Principal Ecologist for SSEN said:
“Our team is thrilled to contribute to the restoration of The Great Wood alongside our OCU colleagues. By removing invasive species and coppicing, we are creating a healthier and more diverse woodland that will help wildlife thrive.
“The project aims to restore the woodland to a fully-functioning ancient ecosystem and provides a fantastic opportunity for our colleagues to engage in meaningful volunteer work, giving back to an area where we have many Large Capital Projects underway. We are grateful to the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust for letting us take part and support in this important endeavour.”
Alina Mone, Environmental Advisor at OCU added:
“It has been great to partner with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust by volunteering at The Great Wood. It was an incredibly rewarding experience and a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and give back to the community where we are delivering works for SSEN.
“The team thoroughly enjoyed contributing to the restoration works which will hopefully encourage fresh growth and diverse understorey of plants. We look forward to continuing our support to the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and their vital conservation efforts through future volunteering activities.”
The improved habitat will attract a variety of bird and butterfly species, including the nightingale, willow warbler, purple emperor, and pearl-bordered fritillary. Additionally, the project aims to reintroduce the wood white butterfly, which has been absent from Wiltshire for many years. The long-term project will gradually replace large swathes of conifers with native broadleaf trees, enhancing the woodland’s biodiversity.
Zoe Steadman-Milne, from the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust said:
“By participating in Wild Work Days, companies can make a tangible difference in their local community. These days provide valuable team-building experiences while directly supporting vital conservation work across Wiltshire.
“We are hugely grateful for the effort the OCU and SSEN team put in at Great Wood. They have helped us achieve so much in just one day.”
This activity is part of the SSEN volunteering programme, Be the Difference, which empowers colleagues to give back to the communities we serve. By participating in projects like the restoration of The Great Wood, SSEN employees are making a tangible difference in restoring and enhancing the natural environment.