The Friends of Foxley would like to thank all those who attended the Foxley Woodland Day on Sunday 3^rd May and helped to make the event such a success.

The day was blessed with good weather being warm and sunny and a constant stream of people visited the site throughout the day with the event taking on the feel of a village fete with people picnicking on the grass around the exhibits.

The star attractions were the making of charcoal from wood coppiced locally in Foxley Wood and displays by the Ardennes shire horses from The Working Horse Trust. In between displays, the horses also pulled pre-cut timber from the wood to five designated sites for later conversion into picnic tables and benches. The sight of the horses moving through the wood caused great interest and excitement particularly with the children. Sacks of firewood were also sold and we still have some for sale. Please contact Alison on  020 8668 8979 if you would like to buy some.                                                                                                               

Many people have commented that, although they had lived in the area for many years, they were unaware that the Nature Reserve existed on their doorstep until the event was publicised and several have asked whether FoF would be holding the event again next year. We feel that every two years may be more appropriate as we don’t want the event to lose its impact and it will also probably take two seasons’ coppicing to produce enough wood for charcoaling.