• Midsummer Wood consists of magnificent maturing Scots and Corsican pine which cover the eastern side of the wood, whilst in contrast, on the western side are younger ash and silver birch. Along the southern boundary is a particularly fine beech tree. This well drained wood is part of a larger woodland know as Rake Firs, close to the Sussex/Hampshire border, and located near to Chapel Common greensand Site of Special Scientific Interest, which quite recently has had the rather rare "field cricket" introduced there by London Zoo.

• Seasons have come and gone and we now have a better understanding of what we have bought!

• We hope that over the years to come we will be able to able play a vital part in the conservation of biodiversity of this ancient woodland by allowing the native woodland plants and animals to survive and thrive. The woodland is abundant with wildlife, including fallow deer, pheasants, birds, woodpeckers and badgers.

• We purchased our woodland not only to preserve it as part of the countryside but also to enjoy the natural beauty of it and to learn new woodland skills.

• We have sought advice from the local Forestry Commission on the best way to care for our wood.

• We have been encouraging the birds and have spotted many species over the past months, robins watch us at work and blackbirds have taken up residence in the piles of brash being cleared.

• We have been opening up the rides, thinning areas of regeneration ready for re-planting with native trees and learning more about coppicing the areas of sweet chestnut hoping to restore traditional management practices.

• Last year 2008 we started by clear felling a small area of Sweet Chestnut which is now growing well. The work is planned to continue this autumn after the birds have stopped nesting.

• Work on coppicing is now progressing well. During 2009 a further acre has been clear felled by a local contractor who is keen to promote the use of locally grown timber for his business. The wood will be used for fencing, shingles and rural woodworking crafts.

• Remaining timber will be used by ourselves for posts, fencing, rural crafts, charcoal and logs, nothing will go to waste.

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