Tolkien’s Old Forest wins grant from Heritage Lottery Fund

• Apr. 7 by Louise Denny (0)

A Birmingham nature reserve, which had been the inspiration for the Old Forest in JR Tolkien’s famous novels “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit”, has won a £376,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country will be undertaking the restoration of Moseley Bog and Joy’s Wood Local Nature Reserve in an attempt to reverse the many years of underinvestment the site has suffered, and instead aim to conserve the key heritage features and biodiversity.

This is an important breakthrough for the bog – which was at one point destined to become a landfill site – as it is home to numerous forms of habitat and a high volume of species, including birds, invertebrates and small mammals.

Katie Foster – Chair of the Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands committee – said:

‘We are delighted to play a major part in safeguarding and improving an area beloved by so many people in the region – and connected with such a well known writer whose childhood heritage here influenced his writing now known worldwide.’

The area, which is part of a wildlife corridor between Woodgate Valley and Kings Heath, will receive treatments that include hedgerow restoration, meadow management and tree safety. There is also to be a range of learning materials including resource packs produced and an outreach programme for schools and community groups, as well as a website and self guided MP3 tours for the site.

Neil Wyatt, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country, was quoted as saying:

‘This is a remarkable reserve on its own merit, yet this place means so much to so many people, in so many different ways. It inspired Tolkien, and it has inspired local people to stand up for their local green spaces across the country.

Now, finally, all the effort of the local community to protect and look after Moseley Bog and Joy’s Wood will be rewarded.’