Ashmeadow Woodlands - The Barnes Trust

The Barnes Charitable Trust was set up in early 1991 to ensure that Ashmeadow House and woodlands were maintained for the benefit of residents of, and visitors to Arnside. In 2003 Ashmeadow House and the surrounding area of grounds were sold to the Abbeyfield (now Crossfield) Society to be renovated and developed into flats for the elderly. This left an area of about five acres (two hectares) of woodland to be maintained by the Barnes Charitable Trust.

The remit for the trustees is to ensure that the area of private woodland that is open to the general public is maintained to a level that is in keeping with a semi-natural woodland environment. Whilst the Trust provides the funding for all the maintenance, new seating, tables, etc. the majority of the actual work is carried out by volunteers from the Arnside/Silverdale AONB under the supervision of their Countryside Officer, Tony Riden. Various other local commercial trades people also contribute to the maintenance and up-keep of the woodland.

The Trust is committed to continuing with this maintenance and up-keep of the woodlands. The majority of the Trust’s funds are, and will continue to be used for this sole purpose.

Proposed Developments

Ponds

One of the two ponds has now been filled in. The remaining pond leaks, so it has been decided to turn this into a type of “bog garden” by adding plants into the pond that thrive in a very damp environment.

Walled Garden

This has been divided and part of it has been turned into allotments. The rest is currently a wild flower garden with mowed grass paths. There is a picnic table which visitors are encouraged to use.

Cottage

Planning permission has been granted to turn the cottage into a workshop type of building. Work has bheen done on the roof, windows and doorways to make the cottage secure and weatherproof; part of it is to be used by the allotment holders for storage.

Orchard

As with the walled garden the orchard needs mowing followed by periodic grazing to encourage the wild flowers and prevent brambles from taking over. Consideration is also being given to adding a small number of additional apple trees in the vacant space in the orchard. Preference will be given to traditional local varieties and the Trust is currently taking advice on this matter. Visitors to the woodlands are encouraged to pick the fruit in the orchard. The apples are usually ready to be harvested from mid to late September.

Trees

The Trust is advised on the condition and welfare of all the trees in the woodland by a professional woodland advisor and also by the countryside officer of the AONB. The trust will continue to act on their advice and guidance.

Wildlife

Again the trust accepts the advice and guidance of the Countryside Officer of the AONB to maintain the woodland is such a way as to attract as much diverse wildlife as possible.

Access

Although the woodland is privately owned by the Trust, the Trust actively encourages residents and visitors alike to use the woodland, and this will most certainly continue. Disabled access is and will continue to be difficult in some areas of the woodland. Because of the location of the woodland – on a slope down to the River Kent estuary – the woodland is nowhere near flat. Also because it is semi-natural woodland and the Trust is committed to maintaining that look and feel, the paths although mostly graveled, are not smooth or level. However there is disabled access to the woodland at two points, but it must be remembered that once in the woodland, wheelchair access is restricted to certain paths. The Trust is committed to maintaining the existing arrangements for disabled access.

Seating

There are a number of bench seats and picnic tables that have recently been installed. These will continue to be maintained to a safe and useable standard and replaced if and when necessary.

Signage

The Trust will maintain adequate signage at all entrances to the woodland to identify the access points and explain their suitability for disabled access. Maps of the woodland will be posted at strategic points and an interpretation panel will be erected near the orchard.

Maintenance

The Trust will continue to work with the AONB and other local organisations and trades people to maintain the woodland both for its appearance and safety. The Trust will continue to fund these activities at the existing level and will be expecting to increase this level of funding from 2009 onwards.

Fund Raising

The Trust has received grants from a number of organisations in recent years including:- Natural England for the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, Arnside/Silverdale AONB, Arnside/Silverdale AONB Sustainable Development Fund, Landscape Trust, The Crossfield Trust, Friends of Ashmeadow, Cumbria County Council Neighbourhood Forum, The Crossfield Trust, Friends of the Lake District, The Forestry Commission, The Frieda Scott Trust, Ministry of Agriculture Food & Fisheries, DEFRA, The Provincial Trust & South Lakeland District Council. There have also been a number of donations from individual members of the public.

There will be a considerable number of funding channels that the Trust has yet to explore. The trustees are committed to acquiring additional funds for the maintenance and improvement of the woodlands.

Educational Visits

Guided educational visits to Ashmeadow Woodlands can be arranged within the Countryside Stewardship Scheme for the site. Visits can focus on the local social history of the site and its place in Arnside, the woodland and wildlife interest, wildflower meadow and orchards. Enquiries and further details can initially be made with the Secretary for the trustees. There are presently no facilities, such as toilets or shelters, on site.