Prudhoe Community Partnership

Hyons Wood - a description

Pete Barrett

download the Management Plan (2MB) (April 2005)

1: Introduction

Hyons Wood near Prudhoe 1.1: What is Hyons Wood?
Hyons Wood is a 200 acre (80 ha) semi-natural ancient broadleaf woodland about 2km south of the Northumbrian town of Prudhoe. Its history as a woodland dates from the 16th century. Since then, natural regeneration has replaced trees felled for timber. The area was mined for coal until around 1960 and there appears to have been no attempt to manage the woodland since the pits were abandoned. The woodland is listed in the Ancient Woodland Inventory and is a Site of Nature Conservancy Interest (SNCI). Prudhoe Community Partnership (PCP) have recently identified this woodland as being an area of interest to the local community and significant for its biodiversity value. PCP believe that, with sensitive management, the area could provide a sustainable balance between improving the natural habitat and providing a more suitable local amenity for walking, etc.
Map courtesy of Ordnance Survey get-a-map service

1.2: LHI grant of £12,000
PCP were awarded a Local Heritage Initiative grant of £12,000 to prepare a community management plan for Hyons Wood. The first stage of the project was to appoint consultants to prepare surveys on the current state of the woodland. These findings were then used to develop local interest for the consultation process and opportunities for local education.

1.3: Appointment of ecological consultants
In November 2003, the PCP appointed E3 Partnership, headed by Dr Tony Martin of Acomb, to be the ecological consultants for the project. E3 Partnership were responsible for carrying out surveys of the woodland, preparing reports and assisting the Hyons Wood steering group with the public consultation process. Survey work commenced in Spring 2004.

1.4: Public Consultation stage
During June and July of 2004, public consultation events were held in Prudhoe at which people were able to record their views about the future management of Hyons Wood. These events were advertised in the local press and radio and were well attended.

1.5: Management Plan (April 2005)
E3 Partnership have now prepared their Management Plan, and this was submitted to the PCP Executive for approval at a public meeting on 19 April 2005. You can download the complete report and maps (2MB zip file) by clicking here.

2: History of Hyons Wood

2.1: the 16th Century
'Hyance Wood' was one of the Earl of Northumberland's woods within the Barony of Prudhoe. Stockdale's survey of 1586 puts a price on the oak trees: 'in the Hyance Wood 1600 ocke tymber trees valued at £415'. To the east of the woodland is the site of the medieval settlement of Dukers Hagg.
2.2: the 18th Century
Armstrong's map 1769 In his map of 1769 (pictured right), Armstrong clearly writes the name as 'Jon's Wood', but he probably pronounced it as 'Yons' rather than 'Johns'. Armstrong also shows the Stanley Burn crossed by an ancient road which is now a public bridleway known as "Lumley's Lane" to the north of the wood.
2.3: the 19th Century
Fryer's Map of 1820 shows 'Hian's Wood'. Fryer also shows the Stanley Burn originating about 1km NNW of Hedley, that's about 1km to the west of its present source. The wood is also represented on Greenwood's map of 1828 but is not named.
2.3: the 20th Century
Coal mining of the area on an industrial scale took place in the first half of the 20th century, when the infrastructure included brick buildings, a tramway and wagonways. The ruins of these are still visible in the woodland. The derelict pit buildings were demolished about 10 years ago. A proposal to use the woodland area as a landfill site was successfully defeated due to widespread public opposition, not least from Hedley Parish Council. In 1982, the woodland was listed in the Ancient Woodland Inventory by the Nature Conservancy Council (Now English Nature). The area has been used recently for both organised and casual motor sport events without the landowner's consent. (see 'Motor Sport' below)

3: Owners

3.1: Landowner
Hyons Wood is now owned by UK Coal. They have indicated that they are willing to enter into discussions with PCP over the future of Hyons Wood.
3.2: Tenant
UK Coal presently lease the woodland and adjacent pasture to a local farmer. Various options for maintaining or securing the tenancy are under consideration, but the rights and options of the existing tenant are respected by PCP.
3.3: Site boundaries
topology of Hyons Wood Hyons Wood is loosely defined as being a 200 acre (80 ha) site centred on grid ref NZ092605. However, the ecological boundary of the woodland may not coincide with the legal boundaries for title and tenancy. Current OS maps show a woodland continuum which includes "Hyons West Wood" HW, "Hyons East Wood" HE, and "Riding Low Wood" RL. Areas in the south and south west SW (mapped as 'scrub' by OS and shown orange on our map) now appear to be regenerating as woodland. We are now consulting with the landowner to define the woodland boundary with greater precision. See big map.
3.4: Hedley Parish
Although the Hyons Wood project is being steered by PCP, the majority of the woodland lies in the neighbouring village parish of Hedley on the Hill. Hedley Parish Council are working closely with PCP on the consultation process.

4: Access to Hyons Wood

4.1: Public Bridleway
public bridleway through Hyons Wood There are restrictions on access to the woodland by motor vehicles. The principal method of access for our inspections is to walk SSE down the public bridleway from the covered service reservoir (NZ 083 611) east of High Mickley village. See big map. Upon reaching the "pit bottoms" (NZ 085 603), the bridleway bisects the woodland as it continues ENE along the line of the dismantled tramway. The old tramway corridor provides a convenient reference from which to obtain survey measurements. The neglected "scrub" to the SW of the "pit bottoms" contains open pits and its status is subject to determination. Access from Prudhoe Moor Road at the east of the wood is subject to a proposed Traffic Regulation Order. Picture: Bridleway along the old tramway route

5: Topography

5.1: Elevation
contours and watercourse Hyons Wood is a lowland area, lying between the 115m and 190m contours on the southern "bank" of the Stanley Burn valley. See big map. It is bounded to the east and west by pasture/grassland around Hedley Fell. The boundary of the SW 'peninsula' is indeterminate, being a graduation from scrub to regenerated woodland. The area has several abrupt changes in elevation due to past mining operations and care should be exercised when exploring areas covered by ferns/bracken.
5.2: Watercourse - Stanley Burn
Stanley Burn flows in a north-easterly direction close to the northern boundary of the woodland. We are aware of the need to protect known watercourses during any work in the area, particularly in view of the risk of pollution by disturbing old mineworkings. Manganese and ferric compounds are known to be problematic in some Northumbrian watercourses near old coal workings. The presence of heavy metal contaminants is also possible but unlikely. It has been suggested that water samples are taken from the Stanley Burn before, during and after any future work. An analysis of the biotic index (using indicator species as a guide to water quality) may also be useful. The flow in Stanley Burn is seasonal and it appears to originate in a small ravine near the west end of the dismantled tramway. This was once connected by an old culvert or drift (now collapsed) to the upper western section of the Stanley Burn (north of the SW scrub). A small pond on higher ground (250m to the north of the ravine) drains into the burn in winter and spring.

6: Ecology

6.1: Flora
Over the past 11 years, botanists working in Hyons Wood have identified no fewer than 130 plant species. These comprise at least 17 types of trees and shrubs, at least 109 plant species in the ground layer and 4 species of lichen. See catalogue of plant species. Several species of fungus have been observed but these have not been professionally confirmed.
6.2: Fauna
There have been many sightings of interesting birds, mammals and insects in Hyons Wood. Birds: woodcock, little owl, blackcap, great tit, blue tit, magpie, song thrush, wren, wood pigeon, blackbird, chaffinch. Mammals: badger, fox, stoat, rabbit, hare, roe deer. Insects: dark-green fritillary, dingy skipper, small yellow wave (all endangered species)
6.3: Previous Surveys
Ecological surveys of Hyons Wood were carried out in 1991 and 1997. The earlier survey was carried out by Dr Veronica Howard of Northumberland Ecological Services. The later survey by Nick Brodin of English Nature contains quantitative data (DAFOR and DOMIN values). Nick Brodin later compiled the Biodiversity Audit of the North East.
6.4: Proposed Surveys
New surveys should add value to earlier reports by providing: We are seeking advice from English Nature on how best to specify contracts for the ecological surveys. The Environment Agency may be able to assist with advice on pollution risks.

7: Education

7.1: Adult Education
Prudhoe Open Door Prudhoe Open Door (picture: adult learning centre in Front Street) have agreed in principle to offer courses on local ecology and nature topics as part of an integrated scheme to raise public awareness. Courses could include one-day events (Saturday workshops), short taster courses (to determine levels of interest), and longer courses perhaps leading to recognised qualifications. The programme would depend on levels of interest and the selection of suitable tutors.
7.2: Schools pyramid
The educational opportunities from any proposed community stewardship of Hyons Wood must complement the requirements of the National Curriculum. Much work has already been done nationally by agencies and individuals to extend the classroom into the local environment. We are now seeking examples of best practice to see how these may be applied to provide educational benefits for local schools. Teachers must be convinced that any local scheme will enhance their teaching methods rather than detract from them.
7.3: A-levels and beyond
Professional surveys of Hyons Wood could provide an opportunity for A-level or undergraduate students to gain practical expertise in life sciences by assisting with field work and analysis. Contracts for surveys may well include an option for tutoring and mentoring of students.

8: Motor sport

8.1: Typical events
Hyons Wood has been an unofficial venue for motor sports events for about 20 years. These events have included: 8.2: Offences
4WD damage The landowner has made it clear to local authorities that such events take place without consent. Motor vehicle access to Hyons Wood by Public Bridleways is a matter of concern to Prudhoe Pathforce (local PROW group) and proposals to obtain photographic evidence are now being considered. Northumbria Police failed to send a representative to the first PCP meeting on Hyon's Wood, so we were denied the opportunity to seek advice on enforcement. Prudhoe Pathforce have no objection in principle to motor sports. However it is illegal to drive or ride a motor vehicle on a public footpath or bridleway. Illegal use is damaging the surface of the recently repaired bridleway and poses risk and nuisance to legitimate users. Picture: Damage to Hyons Wood by motor vehicles.
8.3: Alternative venues
Prudhoe Pathforce have supported the proposals by farmer Tom Atkinson to construct a purpose built bike-sport park at Leadgate Farm about 1.5km east of Hyons Wood. It is thought that an alternative local venue for motor sports would reduce the pressure on Hyons Wood and avoid the criminalisation of those wishing to participate in this activity.

9: Consultation

The public consultation exercise is expected to commence in May 2004. However, PCP have already discussed the project with several national and local bodies, including:

10: Example of Good Practice

English Nature have identified Cramlington Organisation for Nature and Environment (CONE) as being a national example of best practice in setting up and running a community environment scheme. Representatives from Prudhoe have visited the CONE team and have been inspired by what they found in Cramlington.

11: Contact Us

Please feel free to contact us if you have any comments, observations or corrections.