A Warmer Welcome at Bacton Wood

The visitor facilities at Bacton Wood have been enhanced thanks to £8500 investment by local councils, the UK Government and the European Union.

The improvements at Bacton Wood, near North Walsham, include new picnic facilities, the introduction of disabled parking bays, the surfacing of 175m of paths near the car park (in a style sympathetic to a woodland setting), and the installation of a new information board. An information leaflet, showing the park's waymarked trails, has also been produced.

The work was funded by the European LEADER+ programme for rural communities, the Forestry Commission (the Government's forestry department, which owns and manages the wood), North Norfolk District Council (which provides a ranger service so the wood can be used as a recreational amenity), Witton Parish Council and the Rural Community Council.

An official opening of the wood's new facilities will take place at 10.30am on Wednesday, 26 September, 2007, involving a chance to inspect the improvements and take a one-and-a-half-hour guided nature walk around the site's 'easy access' route, with local bird and dragonfly expert Peter Walton.

The public are welcome to attend the opening and join the nature walk.

The media are also invited to attend next week's opening event. Please call Nick Manthorpe beforehand on 01263 516059, or email nicholas.manthorpe@north-norfolk.gov.uk if you hope to come.

The 280-acre (113 hectare) Bacton Wood is two-and-a-half miles northeast of North Walsham (Ordnance Survey grid ref. TG317313). It is a popular spot for walking, cycling, horse riding, and orienteering. The wood is also managed to produce a sustainable timber crop.

Parking at Bacton Wood is free.

ENDS