Friends of Bradwell Wood


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Bradwell Woods, Newcastle-under-Lyme. Staffordshire.
The Woods in Bradwell are Ancient Oak Woodland appearing on maps dated 1117. Originally the New Forest of which this wood is part stretched for 30 miles to Stafford and where hunting grounds for the King and his nobles, and provider of Oak for the Kings ships. The Industrial Revolution came to this area for the clay that is rich in iron ores. Famously the Brown Betty Teapot the first of its kind that could take boiling water, came from clay that lies beneath the woods. The popularity of this teapot was huge and soon a thriving Ceramics Industry was starting thanks to Josiah Wedgwood and his kind. During the 1880's red floor tiles were made at the woods carried down to the canal by railways that ran through the wood. Today Steelite Brick Company Produce millions of bricks some still use the clay extracted from the other side of the valley in BrownHills. The Wood is a hugely valuable source of Native species and part is designated SSSI. The status has now become a Local Nature Reserve and this small part of Ancient History is secure for future Generations to enjoy
The woods today face threats from outside sources. The Culvert brings pollutants from Parkhouse Industrial Estate and has left a legacy of Diesel Oil polluted mud in the pools that have formed in the bottom of the valley. Update 05/04/10 Friends of Bradwell Woods have begun working in the wood this winter to maintain the Wet marshland that had become invaded by willow trees. We have been cutting back the invasive species to allow the marsh flowers to retun. We are setting up a constituted group and want to invite people to join. Help to protect the woodland from outside sources and make the woods a safe and fun place, with Sculptures and cycle trails, an enjoyable and refreshing experience for the people of North Staffordshire. Find us on facebook Friends of Bradwell Woods, North staffordshire. Please feel free to join and come along to the monthly events.