The Vale of White Horse District Council has announced as part of cuts to the 2010 budget, they will no longer pay for staff time, or contract with Oxfordshire Woodland Project, to carry out management activity at Besselsleigh Wood. Mary Lambe, Head of Parks and Open spaces, told us at a liaison meeting on March 22^nd, between VOWH and local interest groups, that she has been made redundant and that the twice yearly liaison meetings would cease forthwith. The Bluebell walk, led by David Rees of Oxfordshire Woodland Project for the last 10 years is also cancelled. Only Health and Safety work will be carried out by the council.

Besselsleigh Wood Group would like to offer their condolences to Mary and to thank both her and David Rees for their kindness and support to our group, encouraging us to form and to become actively engaged in woodland management and planning for the future. As a group we hope that we will be able to continue to work for the woodland, and that it remains in public ownership as budget cuts continue.