STANDFIRST

Just a mile up the road from Grassington is Grass Wood, an 88-hectare wildlife reserve, which not only supports a huge diversity of plant, insect and bird life, but also has a site of archaeological interest dating back to 70 AD. Victoria Benn investigates.

BODY

For the next few weeks Grass Wood is showcasing something very special. Enter the wood at one of the several gated entry points on Wood Lane, and you will encounter the wood’s springtime show of bluebells. As the sun dapples through the high canopy of beech trees on this southern sweep of the wood, you will discover a resplendent and seemingly endless carpet of these beautiful and vivid flowers.

If you miss the bluebells, don’t worry, as summer and indeed autumn will also bring their own show of colour and delight. Designated an SSSI, or Site of Special Scientific Interest, Grass Wood Nature Reserve always has a spectacular array of wild flowers waiting to be discovered, such as the yellow pimpernel, lily of the valley, hellebore and even the rare early purple orchid, which I was lucky enough to see on my own visit to the wood.

The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust took over Grass Wood in 1983, with the aim of restoring the wood to its original natural state as a primarily Ash woodland with a dominant hazel understory – these being the trees which grew up naturally on the carboniferous alkaline soil found there. The wood had unfortunately suffered from an overplanting of conifers in the mid twentieth century, which had virtually eradicated most of the native trees.

“Grass Wood is definitely a success story for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT),” explains the trust's living landscape officer, James Ferguson, “The YWT is a charity with very limited funding, but over the last 20 years we have worked with a dedicated group of local volunteer conservationists, and local contractors, to remove pretty much all the pine spruce - and have in fact successfully encouraged back the ash, as well as many other native flora and fauna.”

“To be honest, it is the volunteers who have transformed Grass Wood into the wonderful wood that it is today. There are over 50 local people who all donate their time to help with the physical hands-on work, wildlife surveying, and even turning out at weekends to take the role of wardens. People don’t appreciate how much damage can be done to fledgling plants, animal and insect habitats, and to nesting ground birds, by wandering off the paths or indeed by letting their dogs stray off the paths - so we need the wardens to politely remind people about such things.”

In its current glorious state, Grass Wood is a quiet haven of discovery, and perfect for a spot of bird or nature watching, or simply as an enjoyable place for a walk or ramble. With around 20 miles of pathways, there is a walk suitable for most ages and abilities. The wood grows up and around a series of limestone terraces, which are home to some magnificent limestone pavements, as well as providing small open areas. The limestone terraces also break up the ascent for those aiming for the summit, and Fort Gregory.

There are innumerable birds, plants and animals you can look and listen out for as you ramble around the wood. Highlights include the green woodpecker, recognised by its distinctive ‘yaffle’ and bright plumage. Others resident birds include the tawny owl and the familiar chaffinch. Returning migratory birds such as the redstart, pied and spotted flycatcher, and willow and wood warblers are also worth keeping your binoculars handy for.

‘Coppiced hazels’ feature abundantly within the wood too - these are essentially fledgling hazel trees protected by handmade latticed ‘wigwam’ coppices. The coppices protect the young plants from the roe deer who live in the wood, and which like to scratch and rut their antlers on the young plants.

The practice of hazel coppicing has been carried out for centuries and has in fact played an important part in the history of Grass Wood. “The wood has a rich cultural history – for as long as there’s been humans in the area, the wood has been a resource, and in ancient times it was more than that; it was a place of safety,” explains James.

“The ruins of Fort Gregory can be found at the highest part of Grass Wood which proffers spectacular views up and down the Wharfe valley. Fort Gregory was a Brigantian fort built to defend against the Roman Invasion nearly 2,000 years ago. In the east part of the wood there are also the remains of an Iron Age settlement too.”

“In more recent history, the wood was used as a fuel resource for the burgeoning local lead mining industry. Hazel wood would have been an ideal fuel for this as it is relatively quick growing. The hazel trees would have be coppiced to protect their growth, and then harvested on a rotational basis. They would have been dried to produce a charcoal type product in the large ‘elling hearths’ as they were known, and then transported to the smelting mills. A few of these distinctive elling hearths can still be found around the wood even now.”

The wood is without doubt an invigorating and interesting place to visit. A true voyage of discovery too, as there are hardly any patronising way-markers to direct you. You can amble as you please, and due of course to the wood being predominantly on a hillside, it is still always possible to use the spectacular views as a means of determining your general whereabouts.

“The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust owns some stunning reserves. However, the efforts of our volunteers have transformed Grass Wood into what I consider to be the jewel in our crown.” confides James with a smile.

It’s an assertion not many would argue with. Yet to maintain the wood in the wonderful state it’s now in, with the millions of trees and plants that propagate it, constantly growing and regenerating - the vital volunteer work, like the story of the wood itself, needs to be ongoing and without end.

For information on joining or getting involved with the YWT, please phone 01904 659570, or see: www.ywt.org.uk