Down at Dodnor
Country life
Countryside news
By Tony Ridd
Woodland apprentices
Four new woodland apprentices have begun work restoring woodlands in the East Wight as part of a Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust scheme .
The new initiative is launched as part of the Down to the Coast project , bringing together local organisations to improve and celebrate the landscapes of the East Wight . This project is not just about celebrating wonderful woodlands , but also to ensure their future by training up the next generation of woodland workers . It is recruiting young people aged 18-24 and under the tutorship of our East Wight Woodlands assistant , Andy Toms and Sparsholt College , will lead to a Level 2 Diploma in work based Environmental Conservation . As part of the apprenticeship programme , they will be trained to use tools including chainsaws , brushcutters and tractors . The first four apprentices started in November and have so far been learning skills that include ; tree identification , coppicing , tree felling and fencing . Apprenticeships will continue over the course of the 4 year project , with the target to train at least 8 young people . The overall aim is to give them the experience , skills and training they need to embark on a future career in conservation . Jamie Marsh , Reserves Manager for HIWWT said : “ Looking after our woodlands is an increasingly rare skill – and one that ’ s never been needed more . Thanks to the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund , we ’ ve been able to offer vital training opportunities to young people interested in a career in conservation – while restoring some incredibly important wildlife-rich woodland in the East Wight .” For further information on the project contact - Jamie Marsh , Reserves Manager , Solent & IOW , jamie . marsh @ hiwwt . org . uk . Tel . 01983 760018 .
In 1840 Charles Francis of the White Cement Company , London , opened the Medina Cement Works around the old tide mill on the western bank of the River Medina . The majority of the structures on the site were demolished in the mid 2000 ’ s and the only surviving above ground structures are the most southerly of the Chamber kilns at Dodnor and the old mill pond to the south . These kilns are on the Gift to Nature managed site , but not accessible by the public . They have become overgrown and are barely
Down at Dodnor
visible . We would like to apply for a grant to clear the vegetation , record them and open up to view , from a safe distance . Are there any budding archaeologists who would like to be involved in this ? If so , please email carol . flux @ naturalenterprise . co . uk
Farming Memories – do you have a story to tell ?
As part of our project ‘ A Farming Landscape ’ we are working with Carisbrooke Castle Museum to capture people ’ s spoken reminiscences of working in the Island ’ s agricultural sector over the past 70 years . If you would like to be involved or know someone who might , please get in contact with us using the contact details below . 01983 823855 , info @ downtothecoast . co . uk
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