Shropshire Wildlife Trust - Quarry Wood

Most of us in the village appreciate this small oasis especially in the spring and early summer with the abundance of rhododendron and other wild flowers.  In summer we have a green and sheltered woodland to wander in and enjoy, until we find extreme littering due to unlawful partying and camping!

The Reserve is a conservation area to protect wildlife, especially birds.  Access for pedestrians is only 'permissible' and no-one has any 'right' to be in there except officers of the Trust and their organised voluntary workers.  The Bye-laws (Rules) are quite simple - No shooting; No hunting; No trapping; No disturbance of wildlife; No fires; No littering or dumping of waste; No fouling of paths by dogs; No cutting of plants or taking of flowers, fruit (berries) or wood; No cycling; No camping.  There are obviously many others but these are the most relevant for now.

My son, Liam, and I spent half of one of our Sunday afternoons clearing up after a messy camping session (some local youth), plus all the other empty bottles, cans, crisp and sweet wrappings dropped by people visiting the woods.  Why, oh why, can't you use the waste bin on the corner of The Chestnuts?  Parents, it's your fault for not educating your children (whatever age) and probably some of you are culprits as well!  The Wildlife Trust have issued this warning before - 'Abuse it and you will lose it' so please, please, please respect our local sanctuary as none of us caring villagers wish to see Quarry Wood closed.

I apologise if this sounds harsh but littering and misuse of facilities has increased over recent years.

This is because people moving in from towns are used to having someone to clear up after them ?

This does not happen in the country - we have to look after our environment ourselves!

John McGuinness - Hon Warden