Happy New Year to all Friends of Woodlands and Coachwood Green and partners. The group is looking forward to sharing 2026 with everyone. The community art project creating the new sculpture for the Woodlands Summit is taking shape. Local schoolchildren have made clay features that will form part of the sculpture’s detail, creating everything from bike tracks to foxes when asked what the Woodlands mean to them. Two community engagement sessions have also taken place: one at the Shireoaks Christmas Market, where visitors created a word cloud, and another creative session for adults at the Ticking Clock Brewery. Potential designs will be on display at Shireoaks Village Hall, where visitors will be welcome to view them. Updates on the project, including ways to get involved, can be found on Facebook at @friendsofwoodlandsandcoachwoodgreen.
Volunteers are preparing for spring, the busiest time of the year as the site comes to life. The Wildlife Discovery Area is open for visits, offering the chance to see how the Woodlands awakens in spring. Schools or community groups wishing to use the bird hide are invited to get in touch to arrange a visit. Plans are underway for this year’s activities, including participation in the Great British Spring Clean, a Family Nature Day with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and the grand unveiling of the community sculpture. Suggestions for additional activities, such as walks and talks, are very welcome.
There are volunteering opportunities ranging from fundraising, treasurer duties and event organising, to helping on task days. Anyone who enjoys gardening, DIY, nature or simply being outdoors may find the task days especially enjoyable. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and learn new skills. More information is available at www.woodlandsandcoachwoodgreen.co.uk/news/volunteer-with-us. To keep up to date with news and activities, follow the group on Facebook at @friendsofwoodlandsandcoachwoodgreen or visit http://www.woodlandsandcoachwoodgreen.co.uk, where you can sign up for the newsletter. Enquiries may also be emailed to infowoodlandsandcoachwoodgreen@gmail.com.