Volunteers win national award for their creative approach to nature

Plymouth volunteers who have helped turn a neglected urban woodland into a popular place to visit have been recognised nationally.

Friends of Ham Woods last night won the 'Innovation/Creativity' category Access to Nature Volunteer Awards prizes and were presented with the award by John Craven.

The thriving community group, which was set up by the Council's Stepping Stones to Nature team, has nurtured the woodland for the past three years and helped transform it from a fly-tipped 'no-go area' in a deprived neighbourhood, into a well-used, well-cared for and beautiful community woodland.

As well as physical improvements to the woods such as upgrading paths for better buggy and wheelchair access, new interpretation boards, signposts, circular routes created and repairs carried out, the friends took a more creative direction.

In the woods is a stunning seating sculpture by international artist, Peter Randall-Page, which has been visited by people from all over the city. The artist is due to hold an exhibition at Plymouth University next year and there are plans for a community arts programme as part of this.

Friends of Ham Woods are using the experience gained from working with the artist to run their own creative seating project. They are now employing a green woodworker to involve local people in the design and build, using a fallen oak – helping to foster community spirit and ownership of the woods as well as build skills in a neighbourhood where there is high unemployment

Take Apart and the Council's Stepping Stones to Nature project commissioned the work but the friends were heavily involved with the selection process and chose Peter Randall-Page as they felt he understood the woodland's uniqueness and would create a piece that enhanced its natural features. Mr Randall-Page's famous seed sculpture can be seen at the Eden Project.

The friends have also joined forces with students and academics at Plymouth University on a research project to look at the effect on wildlife of various management regimes in urban woodland.

Councillor Brian Vincent, Cabinet for the Environment said: "We are delighted to see their hard work and commitment recognised. Our Stepping Stones to Nature team set up the Friends Group and have seen them flourish and grow in confidence in everything they do. But we are thrilled that their creativity and willingness to try something different has been recognised. It is thanks to them that Ham Woods is alive again."

For more information visit www.hamwoods.org.uk