For the past two years, Norfolk Wildlife Trust has been working on a project to improve the Living Landscape in the
Gaywood Valley, and reconnect communities with their natural environment. The Wildlife Trusts have a vision known as
A Living Landscape, to bring nature back to the wider countryside by restoring, reconnecting and recreating habitats to benefit both people and wildlife. Norfolk Wildlife Trust is being supported in its aims by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, John Jarrold Trust and Dow King’s Lynn.
The work has included working with the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk and the community on projects at Kettlewell Lane and River Lane; The Reffley Association planting trees and plants and improving the Spring Wood for the use of the community and wildlife; Norfolk Archaeological Trust and the Woodland Trust as well as Roydon community woodland. In summer, guided walks and plant and animal surveys have been carried out for the Norfolk plant archive.
The work has enlisted the help of around 25 volunteers from the local area. As the end to the project funding approached the volunteers unanimously agreed that they would like to continue helping to improve the environment for both wildlife and the community. Norfolk Wildlife Trust has guided the volunteers to form a group, in order to continue the valuable work. They have provided training, guidance and expertise for them to work in the Gaywood Valley. They will continue to be available to provide support as necessary.
The group has now been constituted as Gaywood Valley Conservation Group (GVCG). The handover took place on Monday 28 September at 1pm at the South Wooton Parish Room following a fungi identification walk in Reffley Woods.
From 5 October 2015 the GVCG will meet each Monday at 9.30am at River Lane car park off Beulah Street and proceed to their task, finishing at 1pm. All new volunteers will be welcome.