Community Forests and the New National Forest
The Woodland Trust’s tree planting experience placed it in a good position when the Countryside Commission was looking for organisations to implement their plans for large scale planting around towns and cities. The plan for Community Forests and a New National Forest announced in 1989 was a significant initiative from the Countryside Commission, in partnership with the Forestry Commission. The Commission started cautiously announcing three “lead” locations. In addition to increased grants for land purchase the Commission funded the appointment of project officers who would work alongside each of the Forests’ own staff. In 1990 the Trust purchased land at Hedley Hall in Tyne and Wear and established the first new wood in any Community Forest area.
The New National Forest was an equally ambitious plan covering over 200 square miles. The Commission established its own charitable trust to manage and fundraise for the project but we were keen to remain involved. In November 1990 Michael Heseltine returned to the role of Secretary of State for the Environment and as a well-known tree lover was the perfect choice to plant the first tree in the New National Forest at Willesley Wood, the Trust’s site near Leicester. Over the next few years, the Trust was able to acquire and plant land in the National Forest and in all 12 Community Forests.
Our involvement as a key player in the creation of Community Forests marked the high point of what was then approaching a 20 year association with the Countryside Commission. Established in 1968 the Commission was to become a crucial factor in the early success of the Woodland Trust. The Countryside Act 1968 had reorganised the National Parks Authority and gave the new Countryside Commission additional powers enabling it to grant aid county councils and organisations like the Trust. Under the Chairmanship of Sir John Cripps and the leadership of Reg Hookway as Director, the Commission was a forward looking agency from the start.