Birtchnells Copse 2007

 

This winter, some of our Clearance Day activities have been centred on Birtchnells Copse which is an integral part of our allotment site. This was originally allotment land of about forty plots on the boundary of an old bungalow in Ivy House Lane. It fell into disuse and it naturally developed into a nature reserve which is now managed by the Town Council and named after Percy Birtchnell who was a well known local historian.

 

The first warden was a resident of Ivy House Lane; the second was Ken Harbord who looked after it for several years, as well as Long Green woodland in the other side of the valley. Since Ken’s death, Patrick Stileman, a member of our committee has been appointed warden.