Working The Woods

An ancient oasis of wildlife in industrial Potters Bar is thriving thanks to traditional woodland management by man and animal power. Countryside Management Service projects officer Brian Gillam explains.

- Brian Gillam

IN an unlikely location between an industrial estate and a leisure centre in Potters Bar you will find Furzefield Wood and Halfpenny Bottom Local Nature Reserve. This small wildlife refuge contains Hertfordshire’s only surviving continuously coppiced hazel woodland. Owned by Hertsmere Borough Council the area is a designated Local Nature Reserve and is managed by the council and the Countryside Management Service for both wildlife and people.

Spring is the perfect time to visit Furzefield Wood to see the carpets of bluebells peppered with other wildflowers including the delicate white wood anemone, the yellows of lesser celedine and primroses. Also present are the interesting little flowers of moschatel or Town Hall Clock, named because of its symmetrical, almost cube like, flower head with four flowers facing outwards like the faces of a clock tower.