Generous Heckmondwike craft group creates new homes for birds and bats at Jo Cox Community Wood

Members of a Heckmondwike-based crafts group have created some new homes for wildlife at the Jo Cox Community Wood.

Spen Shed, a craft, woodwork and gardening group for adults, has produced eight bird and bat boxes, having been supplied with some surplus wood, which will be fixed onto trees at the Liversedge nature area.

Members of Heckmondwike-based crafts group Spen Shed have created some new homes for wildlife at the Jo Cox Community Wood.

placeholder image — Members of Heckmondwike-based crafts group Spen Shed have created some new homes for wildlife at the Jo Cox Community Wood.

The Jo Cox Community Wood was opened by the Spen Valley Civic Society in March 2020 when over 1,000 trees were planted in the former Batley and Spen Valley MP’s name on a transformed piece of waste land.

Civic Society chairman Max Rathmell said: “We’re very grateful to Spen Shed members for this lovely gift. Thanks to them, more birds will have somewhere to nest safely, and bats will be able to sleep soundly during the day.

“In their turn, the birds and bats will help increase biodiversity at the Jo Cox Community Wood. That’s really important in a built-up area like Spen Valley where wildlife gets less and less space to thrive.”

Spen Shed is based at Ponderosa Zoo, Smithies Lane, Heckmondwike, WF16 0PN, and is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 1pm, excluding Bank Holidays.

The space includes a dedicated workshop and crafting space for various projects.

For more information on Spen Shed, email [email protected]. The group welcomes new members and any donations of materials such as wood, nails and screws.