(Photo: Geograph) IT’S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK and the theme this year surrounds connecting with nature- and what better way to embrace this theme by embarking on a nature walk in Worcesteshire. There’s no doubt the pandemic has caused a great deal of suffering for a great many people. In November last year, Mind reported that more people have experienced a mental health crisis during the pandemic than ever previously recorded. Research by mentalhealth.org on the mental health impacts of the pandemic also found that heading outdoors for a walk was one of our top coping strategies; 45% of people reported being in green spaces had been vital for our mental health.
Woodland Trust campaigner Nicole Hillier objected to the proposals, said: “This is fantastic news for the ancient woods and trees of Hereford, not to mention the flora, fauna and fungi that relies on them for survival. “Ancient woodland is one of our rarest habitats and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. It accounts for just 2.4 per cent of land in the UK. Ancient woodlands are highly complex ecological communities that have developed over centuries. “The loss or damage of these centuries-old sites would have been catastrophic for the environment as they could never have been replaced, even with new planting. We are grateful to Herefordshire County Council for their decision and would like to thank all those in the local community who ccampaigned alongside us for their unwavering determination to save these woods.”