Written c.1950s

Rowley Wood

Edric Whatton and his men, planting trees in Rowley Wood (l-t0-r) Charles Dickens, Edric Whatton, Bill Matthews, Frank Liddington (who came from Northampton)

Listen to Edric Whatton talking about his involvement with Rowley Wood
Recording date unknown, but before 1955


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Covering an area of 23 acres in the parish of Ashton Northamptonshire.

This was part of the Duke of Grafton Estate, which was to be sold by Public Auction on June 27th 1913, but this part of the Estate was withdrawn at the sale. Later this was purchased by Edward Green, who later sold the standing timber to Messrs. Rowland Brothers of Bletchley.

When the late Mr. Edric Whatton purchased the wood in 1938 some time after the timber had been removed. The wood had in this time become very derelict and badly dilapidated.

Planting of trees commenced in 1943, and has been continued since, whenever time and labour has been available, some of the trees being introduced by Mr. Edric Whatton from various parts of the world.

The main purpose of the wood at the present time is for the preservation of wild life. Mr. & Mrs. Eric Whatton who are now the present owners, are going to do their best to re-introduce various wild birds and animals which used to inhabit it. Also to plant Oriental trees and shrubs.

Some parts are being left purposely wild for the shelter and nesting of animals and birds.

Mr. Robert Whatton, who is the firm's chief timber purchaser, is also very keen on wild plant life, and he is planting any species he is able to obtain on his visits to various estates.

Although the wood is private, the owners are only too pleased to give permission for any organised parties to visit it.

Trees in Rowley Wood.
Walnut trees were grown from Walnuts brought home from Southern Italy.
Mountain Ash from Russia where the frontier joins with Finland.
The Churchill Oak, [grown from an acorn picked up from where Winston Churchill once lived.]
An apple tree was grafted onto a crab tree.
Norway Spruce.
Silver Birch.
Rare specimen Cedar.
Scotch Fir.
Japanese Larch.
The trees with numbers on are measured every year to see how much growth they have put on per. annum.

Flowers in Rowley Wood.
In spring the rides are covered with daffodils and jonquills.
Fox Glove Glade.
Rhododendrons.
Lilly of the Valley.