An idiot alone

[the village idiot]

Wildlife..I'm going to visit in the Spring so maybe if you want to go in a convoy it could become a weekend Adventure for a Foxy Wildlife idiot:)

 

I feel a bbq coming on:thumbup:

[silky fox]

I feel a road trip coming on:thumbup:

[@Wildlife_Mgr]

Wildlife..I'm going to visit in the Spring so maybe if you want to go in a convoy it could become a weekend Adventure for a Foxy Wildlife idiot:)

 

Now that sounds like a plan!

[the village idiot]

As promised, here is some info on the structure of Raydon Great Wood. Below is a Google Maps photograph of the wood. Judging by the tree cover I reckon this must have been taken about 10 years ago.

 

 

Please ignore the yellow circle. This just indicates where the treasure is buried.

 

I trust you have all done your homework and re-read the post about the woodland history? I not you may find this next section confusing.

 

The darker green areas (Toms Wood, Broadoak Wood and areas in the East and South of the main wood) show where Hammond Innes had the conifers put in, and the keen eyed among you might be able to make out the network of concrete tracks in the Southern section.

Under, and to the right of the 'wood' of Raydon Great Wood are the first two sections to have been de-coniferised (about 12 years ago). These are now dense pole stage regen thickets with Birch, Hazel, Ash, Oak and Willow, and are a favourite hiding place for the deer!

The rest of the conifers have now also been removed in phases, resulting in several blocks all at different stages of regeneration. There are also large blocks in the South of the wood that were less densely coniferised or had none put in at all, resulting in many acres of 'high forest' and even a stand of impressive Beech trees that must have been planted by someone in the distant past as we are outside of its natural range here.

 

You will notice in the image a green line running from the NW to the SE cutting the main wood in two. This is the old Hadleigh Branch Line which carried passengers and freight up until the 50's or 60's after which it was Beeching-ed. There is a steep cutting, an the two halves of the main wood are linked by a small bridge.

 

What is most exciting for me about this old railway line is that it stopped both the US air force and Hammond Innes from being able to 'develop' the area at the North of the main Wood. The consequence of this is 60 acres of lovely neglected coppice; my favourite part of the wood and a good subject for the next installment of "The Idiot Chronicles"

 

All the best, TVI

[njmusk]

TVI

 

Yep can remember trains running coal to hadleigh coal yard, once the railway had gone it was used as a footpath. we were always playing on there as kids, used to sit on the embankment and shoot street lights with air rifles at hadleigh end. The small footbridge was known as hunters bridge. We used to walk as far as that, playing in the various old workmens sheds along the line. And when i was in the TA used to regularly run as far as the level crossing and back.

 

Memories eh!!

[timbernut]

Hi VI, just read your history of Raydon wood, I own 40 acres of coniferised ancient woodland in south norfolk (part of about 170acres) which was also USAF base during WW2 and used to have a network of concrete tracks running throughout, but most have been removed leaving rides lower than surrounding woodland floor which unfortunately means they're under water a good part of the year although we do have a good show of common spotted and the odd twayblade orchid if conditions are right. I even considered scraping the rides lower so they're permanently flooded for floating timber out!

Still would like to come n see puffin billy at work sometime,

John

[Stubby]

:lol:

 

When I first saw him ( avatar ) I accused him of being a second row ....he did not deny it !

[Bren.]

Damn you Graham, I thought you said you'd got them all!

[Hardyspicer]

its it anywhere near raydon pit where they have the motorbike trials

[Andyd1606]

As promised, here is some info on the structure of Raydon Great Wood. Below is a Google Maps photograph of the wood. Judging by the tree cover I reckon this must have been taken about 10 years ago.

 

 

 

[ATTACH]172819[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

Please ignore the yellow circle. This just indicates where the treasure is buried.

 

 

 

I trust you have all done your homework and re-read the post about the woodland history? I not you may find this next section confusing.

 

 

 

The darker green areas (Toms Wood, Broadoak Wood and areas in the East and South of the main wood) show where Hammond Innes had the conifers put in, and the keen eyed among you might be able to make out the network of concrete tracks in the Southern section.

 

Under, and to the right of the 'wood' of Raydon Great Wood are the first two sections to have been de-coniferised (about 12 years ago). These are now dense pole stage regen thickets with Birch, Hazel, Ash, Oak and Willow, and are a favourite hiding place for the deer!

 

The rest of the conifers have now also been removed in phases, resulting in several blocks all at different stages of regeneration. There are also large blocks in the South of the wood that were less densely coniferised or had none put in at all, resulting in many acres of 'high forest' and even a stand of impressive Beech trees that must have been planted by someone in the distant past as we are outside of its natural range here.

 

 

 

You will notice in the image a green line running from the NW to the SE cutting the main wood in two. This is the old Hadleigh Branch Line which carried passengers and freight up until the 50's or 60's after which it was Beeching-ed. There is a steep cutting, an the two halves of the main wood are linked by a small bridge.

 

 

 

What is most exciting for me about this old railway line is that it stopped both the US air force and Hammond Innes from being able to 'develop' the area at the North of the main Wood. The consequence of this is 60 acres of lovely neglected coppice; my favourite part of the wood and a good subject for the next installment of "The Idiot Chronicles"

 

 

 

All the best, TVI

 

 

The history geek in me is coming out! I love this stuff it's great finding out my local history. I was talking to my elderly neighbours who remember the airbase being in the woods I guess needs must during the war and thoughts on ancient woodland were completely different to how they are nowadays