In 2017 the Royal Borough purchased 86 acres, part of Thrift Wood Farm, for £725,000 as an extension to Ockwells Park and has designated it as public open space in the emerging Borough Local Plan. The land acquired was once part of Ockwells farm. More recently it was used to train greyhounds; vestiges of the dog track still exist. The green space includes a series of new walkways through parkland and woods offering routes taking from 30 minutes to an hour.
The visit will include a guided tour by Jason Mills, Countryside Ranger based at Braywick Nature Centre, who is on the steering group that plans to develop the new acquisition to improve the ecological value of the area by creating wetland. He will explain what is planned; currently they are putting in a bluebell walk. Following the tour we will have a light sandwich lunch in the café in Ockwells Park. The walk is over flat ground, but it would advisable to wear stout shoes, or even wellies, as the ground could be damp or muddy in places!
Please assemble at 10.45am at the car park in Ockwells Road, Cox Green for an 11.00am start to the tour, which will last 1 to 1.5 hours. There is no charge for the tour itself, but if you would like lunch, this can be pre-booked at a cost £6, or £7 for non-members. Please ring Mike Copeland on 01628 634181 to book a place, not later than Tuesday 10th April, and if you want lunch send a cheque payable to MAIDENHEAD CIVIC SOCIETY to Mike at 14, Laburnham Road, Maidenhead SL6 4DB.
Contact:
Please ring Mike Copeland on 01628 634181 to book a place, not later than Tuesday 10th April