Millennium Wood opens up to all after improvement work

Dr Jane Wilcock and the Friends of Harwood and Longsight Park have been working on improving Millennium Wood.

The small wood sits between Longsight Park and Harwood Vale

Work carried out has included resurfacing the old footpath, fixing a fence, and thinning down trees as well as taking care of wildlife with bats and bird boxes.

Native wildflower planting will take place next, and signage about the ancient hedge bank is due to be installed.

Dr Wilcock said: "Friends of Harwood and Longsight Park work to improve accessibility for all to walk or use disability aids on our local footpaths and park.

“It finished two days ago so we now have a dry path and people can enjoy it.

"In the last 12 months we have also recreated  the path at Bolton Arboretum, so we have done quite a lot of path repair while United Utilities are doing sewage work."

United Utilities are undertaking all sewage work in the woodland to repair drains.

Friends of Harwood & Longsight Park have received funding from the Harwood Methodist Church, the Lottery Community Fund and from the councillors' fund for the repair work, as well as raising money through the Rotary Duck Race.

The Millenium Wood was planted in 2000 by school children but the way into and out had become too unkempt for some people  and now the footpath has been resurfaced.

Dr Wilcock said: "It is looking much better now and it is nice and tidy, so people can walk here again."

New research by conservation charity the Woodland Trust reveals 96 per cent of 255 GPs surveyed want the government to take action to combat health threats from climate change and extreme weather.

The survey reveals 77 percent of GPs believe more trees could help reduce the financial burden on the NHS and 94 percent are calling for more trees around urban schools to combat lung diseases like asthma.

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Dr Wilcock said: “Illness, effects of isolation and rising mental health issues like depression are helped by exercise for some.

"People see gains in balance, bone and muscle strength by walking, especially for seniors, which is proven as well as improving heart and lung health too.

“People need even dry paths and green space to socialise and enjoy."

The Woodland Trust has urged people to join doctors in backing its climate campaign to get more trees in the ground to fight the twin threats of climate change and biodiversity loss.