A Chase through the Wood

Thanks to a tip of from Mr Bech, my wife and I took a lovely, if somewhat muddy, stroll in Chase Woods.
We were taken to explore to the wood because it came to my attention that TWBC were looking to possibly sell it, but after an initial fright I was quite apeased with a chat with Nigel at TWBC who assured me that they are looking to sell the land to a charity, possibly even the RSPB. So lets hope its future is assured.
Situated just outside town on the road towards Frant, we parked down tiny Tangier Lane, changed into our stout walking boots and joined the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk which cuts through the wood.
Chase, visible from high points of the Tunbridge Wells town centre, is a planted ancient woodland and thanks somewhat to the efforts of the very enthusiastic woodsmen we met on our walk, it still is. They told us that there has been a significant planting programme over the past three years with oak, pine, ash and cherry, and that the wood is a thriving habitat for many bird species, they even had a wren join them on their tea break.
Although devastated by the great storm of '87, some of the original sweet chestnut coppice woodland can still be walked through, which on a refreshingly chilly day is a great way to get some fresh air and perhaps work off that Christmas lunch. For those of you who would like to visit the woodland, be careful when crossing the stream over the small wooden bridge as some rather helpful people have laid slats across to either stop wildlife escaping or for walkers to trip over, we couldn't assertain which.
Any other places you think make for a lovely winters afternoon stroll?

Comments

[Anke]

I quote Nigel Bolton from TWBC:
"Chase Wood is part of the water catchment area for Tunbridge Wells and was therefore in our ownership before Water Authorities were set up. In a similar way the Local Authority supplied electricity or gas. The local water company still has pumping equipment on the land but it does not have to be in their or our ownership in order for them to access it. The land is not in our Borough and in fact is in East Sussex so it is not a priority for us to retain ownership. If possible we would want the new owner to have the same aspirations as us to protect the flora and fauna and continue to provide public access hence we are in discussion with a charitable body"

There is also a report on the wood here:
http://212.24.85.91/committee/delegated%20decisions/06-07/01sept06/025.pdf

[Disgusted]

Why are they selling it? I can guess - leasing it would be much better. This is getting stupid they keep selling off our green bits. Selling it to the RSPB - who I do have respect for - alas does not protect it for the people in generations to come.....

Is it not land owned by the parish or is it a bit not covered by a parish - so TWBC needs to get rid of it incase someone asks for one :-)

Soon no land will be owned by the people of Tunbridge Wells - it will all be private - even some of our councillors think we own the common....

[Daniel Bech]

. . . Hush, hush . . . Chase Wood is where the best mushrooms of TW are to be found!

Sorry after the late ground frost, you have to wait for another year!