New bridge installed at Warren Copse, Holbury, thanks to donation from Waterside Christmas Fire Engine and help from Fawley Men’s Shed

A NEW wooden bridge has been built over a stream in semi-ancient woodland at Holbury thanks to a community partnership.

Warren Copse, a 12.5-acre site owned by Fawley Parish Council, is managed by a volunteer conservation team. Open to the public, it has two designated nature trails.

The new bridge replaces a former structure at the site which had started to rot.

Eddie Holtham, of the Warren Copse and Holbury Manor Conservation Group, said the replacement bridge had been made possible thanks to a £350 grant from the Waterside Christmas Fire Engine.

The decorated fire engine tours around the Waterside area during November and December, asking people to donate as it passes by. It then donates the money to local good causes.

As the money only covered the cost of the materials, Eddie turned to the Fawley Men’s Shed to help build it.

Group member Keith Rider stepped in to design and build the new bridge, with the parish council issuing a small grant to cover the cost of the labour.

The collective effort ended with parish council grounds staff installing the bridge, with aggregates company Mid Hants, based at Fawley Quarry, donating gravel to rebuild the path either side.