Stortford's Waitrose helps Little Hadham's Millennium Wood grow

Little Hadham's Millennium Wood has received a boost from Waitrose's Community Matters fund in Bishop's Stortford.

The Northgate End store has donated £263 to the cause through the scheme, run by community champion Tracy Whitfield, which sees shoppers use their tokens to allocate a share of £1,000 to three organisations each month.

The Independent’s wildlife columnist Jono Forgham, who is voluntary warden, collected the cheque on behalf of The Friends of Millennium Wood.

Jono said: “The money will go towards the cost of two mag posts. These are stout wooden posts that hold a strong magnifying glass at the top with a shelf underneath so that children visiting from the local school can look more closely at the bugs and beetles that they catch. I also run regular bug hunts for the local community and these posts will be used to further the children’s (and adults’) enthusiasm for the mini beasts that populate the wood.”

Other ongoing schemes within the three-and-half acre site include the installation of a small pond with liner and a round of wintering coppicing of the hazel and hornbeam.

Jono added: “This will help continue the improvement in the biodiversity of this special wood. So far we have recorded over 50 beetle species, many bugs, butterflies and dragonflies as well as in excess of 270 moth species. In that total have been a few that are rare for Hertfordshire, which displays what an important and healthy site it is.”

Further funding from Stansted Airport Community Fund is to be spent on a top of the range liner for the pond which has been dug by volunteers.

Regular winter work parties ensure that the habitat is kept in good condition and permits locals to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of a wood that is planted wholly with native trees.