BACKGROUND
Unigate Wood is one of only three woodlands in the London borough of Lambeth and is located in a dense, urban area of Streatham, south London. It is on the site of an old dairy that operated with its own herd of cows as well as its own source of mineral water from 1878 – 1946 and then until 2012 as a milk distribution point. The site is now surrounded by residential housing. For many years the two acre site was left neglected and tons of dumped rubbish accumulated. Local resident, Stephen Lacey discovered the forgotten woodland nine years ago and decided to make a difference. The consequent formation of the Friends of Unigate Wood (FUW) brought the site to public attention. Since then, the local community has come together to recover the Wood to a healthy state. The woodland has now been restored and the local residents treat the woodland as a precious asset, with people now able to enjoy the diverse trees, plants and wildlife.
FUNDING Throughout this process, the Friends of Unigate Wood have worked in collaboration with the Parks Department of Lambeth Council. It has been a constructive partnership. Furthermore, specific grants have been obtained by FUW in order to lay on particular events such as Summer Fetes/Fairs. VOLUNTEERING Local residents as well as a diverse range of groups such as Community Payback, American college students, Streatham Youth and Community Trust and Mother’s Against Drug Addiction have all been involved with doing physical tasks at the woodland. The Friends of Unigate Woodland meet about three times a year to pick up litter, cut back and widen footpaths and to do some vegetation management. Stephen Lacey, Chair of the Friends of Unigate Wood says ‘many more people visit now that the footpaths have been cut back’.
ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY Local residents are actively encouraged to get involved in the woodland and to realise how important this natural environment is. Three popular fetes have taken place over the summer, as well as separate bird and tree walks and talks, the several bat species living in the woods have also generated very popular walks. Stephen says ‘local people have seen the value of the wood and have come to treat it with great respect, it needs as much love and attention as we can give it’. CHALLENGES It has to be recognised that without a degree of vigilance, it would be all too easy for the site to slip back into dereliction. The Friends of Unigate Wood also need to re-engage with their close neighbour, Sunnyhill Primary School, who after many years of not doing so, now take their school children into the Wood.
www.groundwork.org.uk/london
ACTIVE WOODLAND MANAGEMENT Lambeth Council have developed a woodland management plan for the site and the group are keen to develop their own Community Action Plan to better manage the site and encourage more community engagement. The group will continue to meet several times a year to cut back non-native, invasive species such as laurel, ivy and bamboo and brambles, to clear the ground around saplings and to keep the pathways clear. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE The Friends of Unigate Wood hope to implement a Community Action Plan and develop a more regular programme of volunteering and activities.