Birmingham Open Spaces Forum

Friends of Pitts Wood

Pitts Wood

Open Day event at pitts wood Pitts Wood is a small (0.7 hectare) Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland in Quinton, Birmingham. The woodland is owned by Woodhouse Primary School but had become derelict for over ten years as the school had no resources to manage the wood. In 2004 the Head Teacher asked the Education Authority to take back responsibility for the wood after criminal activity in the wood culminated in a police raid.

A local resident whose own children had attended the school and had regular lessons in the wood, agreed to chair a voluntary group to take over responsibility and bring the wood back into use. The Friends of Pitts Wood formed, and with help from a number of agencies and the City Council, the wood has been dramatically transformed and opened up to the community.

Our initial aims were:

to secure the boundaries of the site
to create a public entrance
to make the wood safe
to raise awareness of the value of the wood to the community and local schools

In July 2006, having completed the new entrance and gate, we held a community event to celebrate. On a warm, sunny day, the wood was filled with families coming to inspect our work and take part in woodland craft and Forest School activities. The wood is booked for Forest School and education use during the week and open one weekend a month for volunteer workdays and visits supervised by the Quinton Outreach Ranger. We are also organise 2-3 events each year. The group continues to meet regularly to support fund raising to continue our work and plan future activities.

Awards For All Grant Final Report
Pitts Wood Management Plan

Contact Information
Phone: 0121 421 7575
Postal Address: Quinton Outreach Ranger, Woodgate Valley Country Park, Clapgate Lane, Bartley Green B32
E-mail: chris.wishart@birmingham.gov.uk
Website: www.wt-community. org.uk/pittswood