As reported previously, PV’s insurance policy will replace the infrastructure burnt at the walk in January 2006, but not the table stolen in 2008.
We have had various discussions as to what to do with the walk now it is so changed and with sections completely overgrown. It does not receive a large number of visitors, and most of our original interpretive signwork won’t be relevant for many years to come.
It was decided to keep open only a portion of the original walk, a shortish loop, with a straight section leading to the (now burnt and fallen) huge old “walk through” tree. PV have already replaced the “wishing well” noticeboard near the car park and will fund a number of signs along the track. The signage will focus on the forest’s response to fire. We are hoping to reuse some of the original drawings by Sue McInnes and Ken Woodcock. A consultant is working with us to refine the content. It needs to be completed this financial year.
Members Ewen Johnson and Bill Neve are working on replacing the stolen table, which Bill created in 1999. FOGG will cover the costs from money received through sales of the Beyond the Smoke book.