Burridge Copse
—by the community, for the community
Photograph by Linda Dodge - view across to West Chinnock
Burridge Copse is the newest addition to parish land and was bequeathed to the village by Rosemary Burns in 2017. This is a small copse, situated on the south east of the village.
December 2023: Over the last few months a volunteer group, led by Graham Wheeler, has created a path to make Burridge Copse more accessible.
Their aim was to provide improved, safe, access to the woodland for a broad range of abilities and interests within the community. Additionally, the group endeavoured to keep negative environmental and wildlife impacts to a minimum—the current phase of work was finished by the end of the year to minimise disturbance to breeding animals and nesting birds.
They have worked especially hard with enthusiasm, tenacity and imagination, overcoming adversity with a smile. Without their commitment this path would not have been possible. It is a great achievement, creating a real asset for the community.
The new path is around 200 metres long and very gently sloping. It branches off the Bridleway that extends between Skillgate Lane and East Street. The start of the trail can be located using this What Three Words link.
CPC funded the purchase of two rustic benches from an auction at Dillington House and these are now located along the path. The second one, located at the view point above West Chinnock, gives superb southwest views.
On Sunday 17 December the path was opened by Roger Bulley, CPC Chairman, and the tape was cut by CPC Councillor Adrian Pipe. You can enjoy looking through the super photographs below.
A second phase of work will be undertaken later next year to create a continuation of the path to a higher view point.
The Burridge Copse volunteers welcome your enjoyment of the path and also your input:
It would be great to share seasonal observations, flora and fauna identifications, and photographs on this village website – please send these to Sara, the website’s editor.
Any suggestions or offers of help with ongoing development and management will be warmly welcomed by Graham.
And finally, if there is an individual or group within the community prepared keep a Burridge Diary over the next 12 months, reporting on a year in a semi ancient woodland and all its secrets, please contact Graham. Sounds like a fascinating and rewarding project!
Many thanks from us all to Graham and his team of volunteers for this superb work for our community.
To view any image more closely, simply click on it. Thanks to Martyn, Paul, Roger and Linda for the photographs.
