WHAT MAKES SELSDON WOOD SO SPECIAL? The full history of the wood is on https\\www.friendsofselsdonwood.co.uk.

Briefly, the area was part of the hunting grounds of the Archbishops of Canterbury when staying at Addington Palace from the late 10th Century. There was a farm in the area in 1584. It became part of the country estate neighbouring the Selsdon Park Hotel in the early 20th century. That hotel became The de Vere Selsdon Estate and latterly Birch but is now closed. The wood was used in the past by charcoal burners and remnants of old hazel coppice attributed to them remain and are maintained by FSW and professional woodsmen. When Selsdon started to be developed as suburbia spread out from central Croydon, concerned local dignitaries and other benefactors decided it was essential that this green area should not be part of this encroachment. It was purchased through public subscription in the 1920s and 30s and donated to the National Trust. The RSPB also had an interest in it as a Bird Sanctuary. It is still known locally as this. It has remained as a buffer zone between town and country ever since and is treasured by local residents as a place of escape, exercise and reflection - especially in the recent pandemic lockdowns.

THE AIMS AND WORK OF THE FRIENDS OF SELSDON WOOD (FSW) - We regularly work in Selsdon Wood clearing litter and intrusive vegetation. We clear fallen trees and branches (that are of a size we can safely deal with) to keep paths passable for the walkers now that the council cannot afford to do this. We also try to repair the seats and benches and manage the installation of new ones when these are donated by well-wishers and permitted by the Council. We arrange regular guided walks, usually related to seasonal topics e.g. bluebells and other wild flowers, birds, fungi etc. We have an annual mini beast hunt (planned for children). We set up a QR guided walking trail and we produce a map and information leaflet to assist visitors.

We tried to repair the leaking Linden Pool to encourage the biodiversity of the wood and further educational opportunities but were unsuccessful.

We were able to have the pool relined in 2023 so hope it will again become a focal point for walkers, an educational asset and a haven for wildlife. The new perimeter fence around the site seems to be protecting it from dogs and human intrusion as we hoped and the pool has already attracted a variety of wildlife including frogs, bats, deer and birds.

The renovation work has continued in 2024 as we try to make it an attractive woodland glade again and watch how suitable new plants settle in and previous dormant ones regenerate. FSW hope to continue to receive donations from our generous members and usual supporters to support our work although the planting was more or less completed for this Summer in mid- May. We need just the few pounds to meet our target of £2000 to support the whole project which has also been partly funded by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

We have also had a Woodland Carvings Project running recently whilst we also continued in April with trying to spread ballast in the worst of the muddy patches on some paths. We hope to be able to afford some more ballast and to restart this project in the Autumn. Hopefully, the Spring and Summer sunshine should help to dry out the remaining mud in the meantime.

Please consider supporting any or all of these projects now either directly by donating through the FSW website https://www.friendsofselsdonwood.co.uk or through our Just Giving campaign pages for the Woodland Carvings, Linden Glade and the Bird feeding Station (DMMBFS) or the 'Stones not Mud' project which has replaced the previous Muddy Paths one. As always, giving to us is fast, simple and completely secure. Your details are safe, both with FSW if you give generally through our bank account or via JustGiving to these specific campaigns: neither will sell them on or send you unwanted emails.

You can opt to allow your Just Giving or FSW direct donations to be Gift Aided thus increasing the amount we receive at no extra cost to you.

Please don't hesitate to send an email to selsdonwood@gmail.com if you want any more information.

We thank you for your donations whether for a specific campaign or just to help us work for the benefit of the wood. We ask you to please share these campaigns with your family, friends and neighbours and see FSW news on Facebook, and its website for more information.