Milo

Back in August 2010 (see post 14.8.2010 'Still Working on the Ride) a friend's son,  Milo, 15 years old, came to help us in the wood. He was doing his Duke of Edinburgh's Award at the time and was interested in nature and the environment. He had tried scrub bashing on the Downs as a volunteer but that really wasn't his thing. He enjoyed working at Old Copse, and we were very impressed by his energy and enthusiasm. He went on to do his GCSE's and A Levels and could have gone on to university, but instead he enrolled on a course at Plumpton College for a Diploma in Forestry and Aboriculture, Next year he qualifies . It's nice to think that his experience of working at Old Copse had a role in helping him choose that path.

Yesterday, now aged 19,  he made short work of felling a section of ride-side birch, creating a large scallop to let in light and air. While he cut and stacked the timber neatly , we disposed of the treetops, off  the ride. Another job well done.