Walkers leaving Highwoods

The walk was led by guide Alan Malpass who was able to show the woods off in their late winter best in dry but chilly conditions.

Recent cold weather has however meant that little has started to grow, as Alan commented: "We are two or three weeks behind what we were last year...there's little to be seen in they way of Spring at all. That effects even things like bird song - if the birds are not that warm they are not going to waste their energy on advertising for mates when its too cold for them"

Peter Carey is a member of Highwoods Preservation Society who takes part in the walks whenever he can.

Peter said: "It gets people closer to nature. Most people work indoors or in offices these days, and they are a bit divorced from nature, the weather and everything else. I enjoy this - but I have known these woods all my life anyway."

At the other end of the scale were Charys and Hope Baxter, six years old and three, who came along with their grandmother Christine Fleming who said: "Hopefully they will learn. They love to come walking in the woods but to learn something too will be a big bonus."

The spring walk will be at 10.30 on Saturday March 28 - open to all.