Planting of a Lime Tree donated by our club

President Linda Locke is seen here at the Woodshaw Nature Reserve, helping Secretary Nick Parker and member John Loran to plant a Lime Tree donated by the club. This young Tilia Euchlora (also known as a Caucasian or Crimean Lime) will grow into a majestic large tree with deep green, heart-shaped leaves in the summer, which turn yellow in the autumn before being shed for the winter.

The Rotary Club have been strong advocates of the Nature Reserve. In 2019 three members formed the Nature Reserve Trust, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, with a development plan to take the two acre site over from the Town Council, changing it from an area choked by brambles, to a mixed habitat Nature Reserve. Starting with a £1500 donation from Rotary, the necessary equipment was purchased and a plan was developed in collaboration with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. Over the past three years several grants have been received, including two from Wiltshire Council and recently a further £1500 from Rotary. At the top end of the site a heritage orchard has been planted and a small pond established. Elsewhere, native hedging has been planted to help screen local housing and the main road. Large swathes of brambles have been taken out and many native trees have been planted, included the lime donated by our club and mentioned above.

The Nature Reserve is well worth a visit and is easily accessed either from Lindisfarne or from Woolford Grange in Royal Wootton Bassett.