Tree sales are reportedly booming, thanks to landowners taking advantage of the Forestry Commission's Woodland Creation Grants. There are three levels of grant, the highest being £4,800 per hectare, plus £300 per year per hectare for 15 years.
This is for broadleaved woodland that meets the criteria of delivering biodiversity, productivity and recreation and reducing flood risk and soil erosion. The grants end on December 31 of this year, although Defra is negotiating another round of payments for 2014. To apply, visit www.forestry.gov.uk or telephone 0117-906 6000.
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The Woodland Trust has received backing from the Heritage Lottery Fund for its appeal to restore 52,000 hectares (about 128,500 acres) of ancient woodlands. The charity plans to work with 1,000 landowners in preventing woods from being replanted with conifers and needs to raise £530,000 (www.woodlandtrust.org.uk).
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* Woodland picture from www.somerset.gov.uk
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Brockfield Hall, the great Yorkshire house that's gone from Regency mansion to modern family homeBrockfield Hall in North Yorkshire is the family home of Charlie Wood and Hatta Byng, editor of House & Garden, who have transformed it since they came here in 2020, winning multiple awards in the process. John Martin Robinson reports on the restoration project that revived this compact Regency house as a modern family home. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
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Barbour’s heritage jackets get a floral makeover courtesy of ErdemUtilitarian outwear has taken the fashion world by storm and now Britain's world-famous wax jackets are getting in on the act, inspired by some of our greatest countryside icons.
