Neroche scheme
Neroche projects
Digital Interpretation
The Neroche Scheme has developed Digital Trail Guides, an exciting and innovative project to explore the project area using handheld computers and the latest global positioning (GPS) technology.
Satellite technology allows us to create 'hot spots' in the countryside enabling visitos to access information about specific sites they stumble upon during their rambles in the hills. Pre-programmed information automatically appears on the screen when a person enters a 'hot spot' and can be anything in a digital format including photographs, artwork, music, stories, games' animations...the posibilities are almost endless!
The GPS positioning also provides an accurate location and navigation tool so walkers can step off the beaten track and explore more areas without ever losing their bearings.
To see a video clip about the use of Digital Trail Guides along Staple Fitzpaine Herepath trail, follow this link to our YouTube site.
The Digital Trail Guides are available to hire for free. For further information please visit the Information on the Move webpage.
| Contact: | Neroche Office |
| Tel: | 01823 680846 |
| E-mail: | info@nerochescheme.org |
Neroche Forest Grazing Project
As part of the drive to provide more habitats for wildlife in the forest, and to enhance the landscape and access value of the forest estate, the Forestry Commission is working with local farmer Chris Salisbury to establish low-intensity grazing in parts of the Neroche forest. 
So far conifers have been harvested from Wych Lodge, Buckland Wood, Staple Common, Ruttersleigh, Staple Common and Culm Davy, and grazing has been introduced at Wych Lodge, Buckland Wood and Staple Common
A herd of 85 English Longhorn cattle have been acquired. This breed has been chosen because of its hardiness, its suitablility for woodland settings, and its docile nature, which means it is suitable for sites open to the public.
In due course cattle will be introduced to Wych Lodge, Staple Common, Ruttersleigh, Mount Fancy, Staple Hill, North Down, Buckland Wood and Culm Davy Plantation.
Follow the link to YouTube to find out more about our forest grazing project.
| Contact: | Gavin Saunders |
| Tel: | 01823 680846 |
| E-mail: | gavin.saunders@forestry.gsi.gov.uk |
Neroche Forest Schools
Forest School is the name given to a special approach to outdoor education, which uses the natural environment as a tool in developing children's skills and confidence.
Forest School nurtures children's ability to deal with the outdoors, and teaches practical skills such as shelter building, tool making and fire lighting. It counters the modern trend for children to have little contact with the natural world during their education, and it pays huge dividends in developing children's self-esteem and motor skills. The approach works especially well with children who do not respond well in a conventional classroom environment.
Originally developed in Scandanavia, Forest School was brought to the UK by pioneers including Gordon Woodall, who established a Forest School in the Blackdown Hills.
Neroche is now taking forward the work begun by Gordon and his colleagues, by offering local schools the opportunity to develop Forest School as a core part of their curriculum.
Through the Forest School Officer, Clare Neenan, Neroche is offering all local primary schools in and around the Neroche area the opportunity to experience Forest School through the provision of direct in-school sessions by trained practitioners. Following this introduction, schools are being invited to nominate one or more members of staff to undertake a training course and period of asessment to become qualified as a Forest School Practitioner.
Once schools have gained this qualification within their staff, the project will then work with them to develop the practical requirements to run Forest School sessions, either on their own school grounds, or by making use of local woodlands.
It is hoped that, as a result of the project, the Forest School ethos will become a mainstream element of teaching in schools on the Blackdown Hills.
Forest School Practitioners Level Three training will equip teachers and those who are experienced at working with children and young people with the skills, knowledge and experience to organise things for themselves. The Project is organising two Level Three training courses locally, which are very heavily subsidised.
Forest School Assistant Level Two training provides the grounding for other staff and assistants to support their trained Forest School Practitioner. The Project is organising a number of Level Two course locally, to take place after the first group have completed their level three training.
For more information about our Forest School programme, click HERE
Follow the link to YouTube to see a DVD of Forest School in action.
| Contact: | Clare Neenan |
| Tel: | 01823 680846 |
| E-mail: | clare.neenan@forestry.gsi.gov.uk |
Wychwood Lake
Wychwood Lake lies in the Wych Lodge forest area, north of Staple Fitzpaine. It was built originally as a decoy pond by the Portman family in the early twentieth century, but became a coarse fishing lake in latter years. The fishing rights are now leased by the Taunton Angling Association (TAA).
By 2006 the lake had become heavily silted, and the area of open water had declined. During 2007 and 2008 the Neroche Scheme financed a major restoration programme at the lake, organised by the Forestry Commission and Forest Civil Engineering on behalf of the TAA.
The restoration involved draining the lake, excavating part of the silted bed, strengthening the dam, installing a new spillway, and extending the lake margins. A series of new fishing platfoms were installed, including two specially designed disabled platforms.
This work has been designed to provide an enhanced fishing lake while retaining and safeguarding the special wildlife value of the lake, which is associated with the reedbed and wet woodland areas.
The restoration works and restocking of the lake were completed in early 2009, and the TAA formally reopened the lake in June.
During the restoration work: 
Repaired dam, spillway, paths and bridge:
The restored lake:
One of the new disabled fishing platforms:
| Contact: | Neroche Office |
| Tel: | 01823 680846 |
| E-mail: | gavin.saunders@forestry.gsi.gov.uk |
