A WOODLAND project in Dymock, to mark the centenary anniversary of the end of the First World War, will attract more visitors to the site which has been called "the best wild daffodil hot spot in Britain".

It will also help with sustainable forest management.

The Centenary Glade Project is a collaboration between the Forestry Commission of England and a group of community organisations under the umbrella of Dymock Forest Rural Action (DyFRA).

A spokesman said: "The aim is to show how ancient woodland can be managed for the benefit of both local people and nature, within a sustainable forestry enterprise.

"Through ongoing joint work between forestry specialists and local volunteers, part of Queen’s Wood near Kempley will be transformed. Where there used to be stripes of dense conifer plantation of limited interest or plant life, the woodland will be replanted to provide a spectrum of habitats from deciduous woodland through to a wide glade area."

The spokesman added: "A more open and varied forest canopy will let in light and allow different plant species to flourish, including the wild daffodil which is famously profuse in the area. Rare and endangered wildlife such as the dormouse, woodcock and goshawk are already present in the 1200 acre Dymock Forest. By increasing the diversity of ground flora in this open glade area we will create a valuable monitoring site for best renovation practice. At the same time the wood will continue as a working landscape in which coppicing and mature timber extraction will take place, showing how these activities and wildlife can co-exist.

"There will be better family access to this part of the woods via a buggy-friendly path from Queen’s Wood car park to The Centenary Glade itself. This will offer a new focus for visitors close to the celebrated 10 mile Daffodil Way, dubbed the best wild daffodil hot spot in Britain. Seasonal work will be delivered by project supporters who are certificated local contractors, together with providers of training in conservation landscape management, all giving a boost to the rural economy. Logs extracted from the area will provide the project income as a sustainable fuel for locals to use in their woodburners."

The timing of the project also ties in with the centenary of anniversary of the

the division of the Beauchamp Madresfield estate when much local land and property came into the tenant farmers’ and villagers’ hands; and the Dymock Forest into public ownership.

A tree planting ceremony is being planned for this autumn, with a guided tour for the press and locals of the project propositions.

The spokesman added: "It will be a chance also to promote the DyFRA logs operation which sells cordwood seasoned, blocked, and delivered within the local area."