The Friends of Pelaw Wood was formed in September 2003 to work voluntarily to maintain and develop this area as a resource for the people of Durham. The group’s achievements over the last ten years have been considerable including:
Working towards designation as a Local Nature Reserve by Durham County Council
The planting of a “new” woodland on the site of a former hockey pitch adjacent to Old Durham
The preparation of a detailed Management Plan up to 2021
Completing an ecological survey of the different parts of Pelaw Wood
Maintaining upgrading and reinforcing paths and steps in the Wood
Organising events such as evening bat walks, moth evenings, dawn chorus walks and heritage day tours through the Wood
Working with partners and funders to improve the paths through the wood and to increase ecological diversity
Constantly removing litter and waste
Putting up nest boxes
Harvesting and sowing seeds
Clearing invasive species such as Himalayan balsam
Erecting this map board, designed by pupils from Gilesgate Community and Sports College, in St Giles Close
A summary of our activities in 2016-17 may be found here.