In 2018, my wife and I were preparing for early retirement. Wanting to do some volunteering, we spotted a sign in our local woodland in Frodsham asking, “Could you be a friend of Hob Hey Wood.” Hob Hey Wood Friends Group was born, and so began a five-year, ongoing journey of discovery involving ancient trees, secretive birds, fabulous fungi, rare butterflies, and gorgeous wildflowers.
We’ve gazed in wonder at thousands of bluebells, their cerulean blooms waving in the breeze. We’ve watched sparrowhawks rear their young, seen badgers cavorting through the wood, and enjoyed the songs of warblers as they sing hidden from view among the leaves. Being a member of Hob Hey Wood Friends Group has given us so many experiences over the years. We’ve learned how to maintain and improve this lovely place, learning not only woodland management techniques, but also just how precious this environment is, and how incredibly biodiverse.