Page 119 - FINAL Phillips 66 50 Year Book

Mayflower Wood

In 120 acres of woodland in the heart of Lincolnshire, foxes, deer and
squirrels live in harmony alongside hosts of dragonflies, damselflies
and butterflies and more than 67,000 trees and shrubs thrive. Welcome
to Mayflower Wood, described as one of the refinery’s most ambitious
community projects.

The refinery decided to use a vast portion of its land to plant a
community woodland. It was the largest project of its kind in the UK
and came about because of a suggestion from refinery employee Laurie
Bland. With invaluable assistance of the enthusiastic local community
and refinery volunteers, thousands of trees were planted encouraging a
natural habitat bursting with wildlife.

Prior to planting, an archaeological survey carried out revealed a
number of interesting finds, and artefacts were donated to Immingham
Museum. A competition launched to name the area was won by Josh
Hickson a pupil at Killingholme School and Mayflower Wood was
christened. Josh grew up to become a Rotating Equipment Technician
at the refinery. The name reinforces the area’s links with the Pilgrim
Fathers, who sailed from Killingholme Creek - which runs through the
wood – to America. To this day, there is an area of the wood close to the
creek where planting is forbidden because of its archaeological interest.

It was officially opened on July 5, 2005, by Prince Andrew, the Duke
of York, who learned how each child at Killingholme School, helped by
volunteers and teachers, planted a tree – a symbol of history, growth
and the future – forming a corridor along one of the wood’s walkways.
Each tree was mapped and labelled with the child’s name, and plaques
placed in front of them.

Walkers regularly take gentle strolls on the permissible rights of way
or more demanding hikes around the wood, while schoolchildren
learn about nature and groups, such as youngsters from the Duke Of
Edinburgh Awards, develop new skills. Actor-turned-conservationist Bill
Oddie (pictured right) has even been to visit.