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Coppicing

An activity with Action for Croydon's Environment

Activity date: Thursday 23rd October 2025

Start time: 10:00
Finish time: 16:00

Activity description

Coppicing hazel in Happy Valley's Devilsden Wood

Meeting place

Meeting point will be confirmed by email.

Activity location

Happy Valley, Ditches Lane Coulsdon CR5 1DA, CR5 1DA

Site description

Happy Valley consists of just over 250 acres of downland grass and wooded slopes, dominated by a steep-sided dry valley at the centre. The majority of the site lies within the Farthing Downs and Happy Valley Site for Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature (SMNI). br>The chalk slopes support many notable plants, including greater yellow rattle, round-headed rampion and eight species of wild orchid and over 25 species of butterfly have been recorded in Happy Valley. br>Parts of the chalk grassland are summer grazed by cattle, sheep and goats, which provides more effective scrub control and gives more wildlife diversity than cutting the fields by tractor. Much of the woodland is coppiced on a 15 year rotation and this again provides a greater variety of habitat for plants and animals.

Pick Up Point

Contact

Jane Hymas

Telephone: 07740 899 660
Email: volunteer-croydon@tcv.org.uk
Website: https://www.tcv.org.uk/croydon

Please bring

  • packed lunch
  • suitable outdoor clothes
  • suitable outdoor footwear

Further info

If you are not a TCV registered volunteer and wish to join us on this task, or any future tasks, please email me at volunteer-croydon@tcv.org.uk for a registration form.

Site Facilities

  • Parking
  • Picnic Area
  • Toilets
  • Nearest Toilets - Car Park on Ditches Lane

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