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Army Foundation College bring extra manpower to Hookstone Wood and Pinewoods
8 October 2008 - YOUNG Army
recruits at Harrogate's Army Foundation College have had a taste of
'digging ditches' at Hookstone Wood and they enjoyed it so much
they are making a second visit.
In September, Harrogate Borough Council 'called up' 47 young
men from Penny Pot to help them carry out much needed work at this
popular small wood on the outskirts of the town.
As well as digging out ditches, they cleared culverts and
overhanging foliage, removed mud and barrowed and laid recycled
materials to improve the surface of the
footpaths. They are set to return this weekend
(Sunday 12 October) to carry out further improvements.
Councillor Don Mackenzie, Cabinet Member Planning and
Transport will be visiting the Wood on Sunday to see first hand how
much work is going on. He
said: "I am especially pleased to hear that the
improvement work to the woods' footpaths will make it easier for
visitors. We often say we have hidden gems in
our district and Hookstone Wood certainly comes into that
category. Our Parks and Highways Teams,
with the help of many hardworking volunteers in the past, have done
a sterling job here but the extra manpower provided by the Army
Foundation College has meant that more could be done in a short
space of time and that we could also focus on the paths.
"On behalf of the council, local residents and visitors, I
would like to express our thanks to the Army Foundation College for
all their support shown to the local community on this and many
other projects."
NOTE TO EDITORS : Hookstone
Wood is a local Nature Reserve nestled within the urban development
on the south side of Harrogate it is the gateway to Crimple and
Bathing Wells Woods and the beautiful Crimple Valley.
In July 1996, part of this woodland was threatened by an
infill application. The local community stood
together to protect this much-loved woodland.
Over 40 Army Cadets from the 17th (Salamanca) Peninsula
Company will also be out over this weekend helping in Harrogate's
Pinewoods. They will be helping to clear some
ditches and reinstate some internal footpaths in the woods by
helping to spread woodchip. The same company
undertook similar works last year as part of their Duke of
Edinburgh Award Scheme requirements.
MEDIA CONTACT: Lynne Mee, Communications and
Media Manager, 01423 556022.