Bentley Wood facts for kids
Bentley Wood is one of the biggest forests in Wiltshire, England. It's located about 6 kilometers (or 6 miles) east of Salisbury, near a village called West Dean. This amazing woodland, along with a nearby area called Blackmoor Copse, forms a huge green space that's really important for nature. In 1985, a large part of Bentley Wood (about 665 hectares) was officially recognized as a special place for wildlife, known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It's especially famous for its beautiful butterflies, including the rare purple emperor, white admiral, and pearl-bordered fritillary.
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Bentley Wood During World War II
Before D-Day, a very important battle during World War II in the spring of 1944, Bentley Wood became a temporary home for American soldiers. The main office for the troops was in a big house called Norman Court mansion, located east of the wood.
A Home for Soldiers
Many soldiers lived in special curved huts called Nissen huts that were built right inside the wood. There was even a hospital in an extended Nissen hut to care for them. To make it easier for big army trucks to move around, some parts of the wood were covered with gravel. A path called Livery Track was also made wider and paved. A few trees were cut down to make space for all these military facilities. After the war ended, Bentley Wood was used for a short time to store army vehicles and other equipment returning from Europe.
Protecting Bentley Wood Today
In 1950, the Forestry Commission, a government group that manages forests, bought Bentley Wood. They started planting many new trees to fill in the areas that had been cleared for the military during World War II.
The Bentley Wood Charitable Trust
Later, in 1983, the UK Government decided to sell some of the forests owned by the Forestry Commission, including Bentley Wood. A local resident named Lady Ann Colman wanted to make sure Bentley Wood would be protected for everyone to enjoy. So, she created a special group called the Bentley Wood Charitable Trust. This trust successfully bought Bentley Wood shortly before Lady Ann's death in 1984, ensuring it would remain a public treasure.
Friends of Bentley Wood
The Bentley Wood Charitable Trust was first guided by Ralph Whitlock, a local farmer who loved nature and often talked about it on TV and radio. One of his important achievements was helping to start The Friends of Bentley Wood. This is a group of local people whose goal is to keep the wood safe as a nature reserve and make it a great place for people to visit and enjoy.
