A WALK in the woods with a member of the Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Team has put Hogmoor Road resident Mike Jones’ mind at rest after he and his neighbours became alarmed at the number of trees being felled in the woods opposite their homes.

Just over two weeks ago the felling began, Mr Jones said, leaving him and his wife, Karla, alarmed because they have loved their woodland view for the several years they have lived in their home.

They even christened the woodland ’Barney’s Wood’ because they walk their dog Barney there.

“It isn’t the trees opposite our houses but deeper in the wood,” Mr Jones explained about the affected area. “A lot are being felled and we are worried they will cut ours down too,” he said.

Mr Jones said, as the felling began, he and his neighbours became upset that East Hampshire District Council, they believed, had given consent for the trees to be removed.

“I gather it was debated at one of its (the district council’s) meetings but it was one that passed me by as I didn’t know anything about it,” he said.

He contacted the leader of Whitehill Town Council, Adam Carew, who is vocal in supporting the town’s environment.

As a result, a member of the Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration team, Bruce Collinson, agreed to walk with him on February 23, to the area where the work was being done and talk to him about why it was being carried out.

Mr Jones said: “I have no more worries as, during the walk, he explained the trees were being felled near the Hogmoor Inclosure to clear the ground to encourage the return of the heathland there. He has assured me no more trees are coming down.”

When he got back home, Mr Jones contacted his neighbours to tell them the news.