On 5th October there was a very interesting site visit for local people from Timberscombe and Wootton Courtenay given by John Ebsary, Forestry England forester for Exmoor and Quantocks, and his team.
We were given a good understanding of the Forest Plan and its objectives: Conservation, Environment, Recreation and Timber income. We were told that all current harvesting work on Wootton Ridge will be completed by this Christmas, barring extreme weather events and market conditions.
The forest will be monitored for the next five years and any unforeseen work due to windblown trees or disease will be carried out in that time.
After five years, in 2028/9 further felling work may be done in accordance with the Forest Plan. Forestry England are not expecting to have to do work on the scale they have done this year as they have caught up after the long period of 20 years when no harvesting works had been carried out in the forest.
Any questions, please contact me on 07980 731896.
Katy Attwater
Timberscombe PC Chair
Wootton Courtenay 