SEED- We were lucky enough to receive funding from SEED for a 2 year project which ended in November 2004. This funding enabled the Group to get training on things like bat surveys, water voles, dormice, hedgehogs and how to build hibernatories, tree identification etc.

It also funded necessary training such as First Aid at Work, Health and Safety and Risk Assessments, without which we would not have been able to do any work in the wood without being with either Groundwork or the Wildlife Officer, including litter picking, cleaning out the burn or planting trees. Some of the funding went to buy necessary books for the identification of trees, fungi etc and to buy equipment.

We were lucky to have been able to get all of this training and we hope other Environmental / Woods Groups in the area who wish help in identifying what wildlife and flora is in their area will contact us so that we can also help them. Some of the funding also part funded 2 'Woodland Wonders Days, which informed the local residents and hopefully encouraged them to join in some of our working parties.

SHELL- Shell Better Britain Campaign together with funding from the New Opportunities Lottery Fund and County Durham Local Agenda 21 enabled us to buy gates, fencing, shrubs, step overs and chicanes to put in some of the entrances to the wood to cut down the used of motor cycles in the wood, cars being driven into the wood and burnt out (which were causing quite a lot of damage to trees), trees and the and fly tipping.

The installation of the gates and fences etc. have certainly stopped the burnt out cars, cut down the numbers of motor cycles and the amount of large fly tipping (fridges, washing machines etc.)

The Great North Forest has attended some of our meetings, given us support and advice

AWARDS 4 all - Awards for All funded the Woods Group to organise two of our 'Woodland Wonders Days'. These days are quite successful, as they are well attended even when the weather is not so good. The events are free and we try to use them to inform the local people about the Woods Group, what we do and what we have achieved.

We also have artists and people who give demonstrations on a variety of woodcrafts, such as besom broom making, hurdle making, wood carving pole lathing etc. and encourage people to try their hand at these crafts. On these days we also have guided woodland walks and litter picks, as well as things for the younger children such as treasure hunts.