Green-fingered residents cleared brambles and kept the pathways clear for visitors to Temple Lane Community Woodland, in Silver End, on January 14.

The Greener Silver End group began the £25,000 project to create a community woodland on wasteland at the edge of Silver End, in 2013, and a welcome sign created by Silver End Primary School pupil Marcia Swain, ten, takes pride of place.

It was made possible thanks to a £14,500 investment from Braintree Council for clearing the 0.5 hectare site and the planting of native tree saplings, a line of disease-resistant English elms, and an oak tree.

Emma Rowe, a founder member of Greener Silver End Group, said: “A big thank you to both Braintree Council and Essex County Council for their vital funding.

"In addition, the outstanding progress we have made to turn our vision into reality would not have been possible without the support of the local community and the hard work of our dedicated team of volunteers.

"If anyone is interested in green spaces and the local environment we’d love to welcome them to join the Greener Silver End group as there’s always plenty of work to join in with.”

Essex County Council further supported the project with a £6,000 grant from its Community Initiatives Fund to construct a new access path to help visitors with wheelchairs and buggies enjoy the woodland.

County cllr James Abbott said: “It has taken many years of work to get to this stage but it has all been worthwhile and with the valued and continued support of the district and county councils, the completion of the project is in sight.

"With our natural environment under pressure in many places it is good to put something back for nature as well as delivering a green asset for current and future local residents."

Greener Silver End is now looking to extend the path, provide some seating in the centre of the woodland and continue wildflower and shrub planting.

For more details email mail@jonathanbarker.plus.com