A mixed group, aged between 7 and 70, joined Dave Mee for a walk into the woods on sunday January 11, 2009.

Dave stopped occasionally along the lane, pointing out the different trees and entertaining us with folklore connections.

Once in the wood Dave not only talked about the trees but also about woodland management and the planned improvements to be made.

Many of the conifers, planted last century for industrial use, will be felled and replaced with native braodleaf trees. Friends are collecting nuts and seeds for the Tree Nursery.

At 5-Ways members of the group 'armed' themselves with rubbish bags and litter-picking sticks, then set off to scour the woods for litter.

Everyone helped, taking turns to hold the sack or grab the junk. Several from the group were lucky enough to catch sight of roe deer.

Although (fortunately) not much rubbish was found in the wood itself, several large bags were filled with odds and ends dumped in the lane. Everyone felt it was time well spent.