Friends of Hopwas Wood

As there is very little to report it has been decided that the next newsletter will be sent out in the new year.

Fallow Deer: One of the County Ranger and deer wardens for Staffordshire has notified us that on Friday 16^th June at 9pm the Rangers were alerted by Staffordshire police of a vehicle collision involving a fallow deer doe, which was hit and killed on the A51 at Hopwas Woods. This is the first time that they have recorded Fallow deer in this part of Staffordshire. They know that Hopwas is home to Muntjac and the occasional passing Red deer, but never have they recorded Fallow.

1 NEWSLETTER April 2017pdf

The owner of the old quarry situated off School Lane, and adjacent to the Social Club, has kindly informed us that he will be carrying out improvement works on the site over the next week or so, which will involve heavy machinery having to be brought in to deal with large lumps of concrete. The owner continues to manage the site in such a way that it is preserved as a natural area and there will be no adverse effect on its overall appearance. Our thanks to the owner for keeping us informed. If you should have any queries please contact Ray Vanstone.

NEWSLETTER September 2016

From Major Jim Salisbury:

WHITTINGTON RANGES AND HOPWAS WOOD UPDATE

 The area of the ranges has had to be closed off again due to continuing works to ensure the ranges and woods are safe for all to use.

Matters have taken some time due to some unforeseen issues which are being resolved and once complete will enable us to fully open the ranges for Military use.

As and when we know of the dates for shooting to be carried out we will keep you informed via these firing notices and local media.

The small 25mtr no danger area ranges will continue to be in use.

The area of Hopwas Wood will also be used for Military training so please pay heed to any signage giving warnings or advice from Military personnel.

The bridleway from the White House is open for Public Access.

The next Newsletter is due to be sent out in October. As in the past there is the request for the payment of subscriptions and it is important to note that if the subscriptions are not paid by 31 December membership is cancelled in accordance with our Constitution. If any member does not receive a Newsletter by the end of October please contact Ray Vanstone by e-mail.

The following notification has been received from Major Salisbury at the MoD:

“The works that were planned to be undertaken within Hopwas wood have in the main been completed. 

Some minor works are still in progress but these will be able to be completed without any impact upon Public access.  

This is good news as it means I am able now to open the area of Hopwas Wood to full Public access. Any future closure will be when the ranges will be in use and will be notified by firing times and local media outlets.

 That was the good news, unfortunately our review of the main ranges has shown we still have some corrective works to complete. This will ensure we are able to carry out Military firing safely with no risk to the Public or ourselves.

 The area of the main ranges will continue to remain closed until we are able to complete the corrective works and has been closed via the County Council until the 1^st October 2016.  This will include the Bridleway that crosses the ranges meaning there will be no access what so ever via the ranges to where the bridleway enters Hopwas Hay Lane track into the Hopwas Woods area.

 Areas within the range complex continue to be worked upon and are marked out of bounds as we continue to carry out the necessary works.  Be aware please of the notices in place and adhere to the information given to ensure we keep everybody safe. 

The bridleway from the White house will remain open for Public access at all times.

 I will continue to keep you fully up to speed on any developments as they arise. “

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation have informed us that the Woods are now open to the public. Any future closure will be when the ranges will be in use and will be notified by firing times and local media outlets.

The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 20th. April 2016 at the Coton and Hopwas Social Club, School Lane, Hopwas commencing at 7.30 p.m. The meeting will commence with a talk by a representative of the Ministry of Defence and the business part of the meeting will follow. Further details are in the April Newsletter which will distributed by the end of March.