Ashplats Conservation Group

08/02/2026

Reducing Sycamore in Scoutland on a grey and damp winter's day.
Sycamore grows vigorously and left alone it would soon overshadow the coppiced hazel in this part of the woods.

31/01/2026

In case you missed us at the East Grinsted community fair on 31st January - this video shows what we get up to in Ashplats Wood https://youtu.be/en1EYg_RouE

If you like what you see and would like to join us, please
a) contact [email protected] and we'll add you to our mailing list (we'll then notify you of upcoming events)
or
b) just turn up on one of our task days as advertised on the notice boards around the East Court Estate

This video invites volunteers for Ashplats Conservation Group. It showcases the things the conservation team do and highlights the animals which live in Ashp...

14/12/2025

The last task of 2025 - More rhododendron pulling.

12/10/2025

Sadly there were not enough volunteers today to make pond clearance feasible. Instead we decided to perform a toadstool survey. Here are just a few of the specimens we found and some of the tools that were used to identify them.

14/09/2025

Lake Clearance Task - September 2025

13/04/2025

Thanks to all those who turned out on a beautiful spring day for this year's litter pick. Here's a photo from the end of the task as we celebrate a job well done with refreshments in hand.
Thanks also to those unsung heroes who regularly pick litter on their walks through Ashplats wood. You make our annual task easier every year.

02/03/2025

We have posted the AGM minutes on the web site at https://ashplats.org/ /AGM_Minutes_2024.pdf

Let us know if we have missed anything or you would like more information on anything.

Ashplats Wood is 28 ha and is part of the East Court Estate in East Grinstead, West Sussex, UK. The main part of the wood is designated as Ancient Woodland, and also a West Sussex Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI). It sits within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) ...

09/02/2025

Coppicing for torches again with East Grinstead Community Bonfire. Sections of hazel that are no good for torches are used as material for woodland management.

12/01/2025

Another round of coppicing for East Grinstead Bonfire Society. It's good to see the wood we create from the coppicing being re-purposed.

11/12/2024

Following on from the previous post, this map shows the extent of rhododendron and laurel in the north part of Ashplats Wood. Last weekend's task successfully cleared 55% of the invasive plants in this part of the wood.
It takes continual effort to drive these plants out. Like a game of whack-a-mole more are sure to pop up again while our backs are turned, but with a few volunteers and some co-ordination we are succeeding in stopping them from overwhelming the native ecosystem.
This is true meaning of conservation work; preserving the woods in good condition for both wildlife and people. It’s perhaps one of our most important tasks.

08/12/2024

Clearing rhododendron in the tail end of Storm Darragh.

12/05/2024

The last working party before the summer break. Logging wildlife data for the Ashplats Wood iNaturalist Project.