Church Covert

Wood, Forest in Worcestershire Malvern Hills

England

Church Covert

Footbridges at the junction of footpaths near Blackmore End Credit: peter robinson

Church Covert is a small woodland area located in Worcestershire, England. Situated near the village of Wood, Forest, it covers an area of approximately 20 acres. The covert is named after the nearby Church of St. Mary, which has been a place of worship since medieval times.

The woodland itself is predominantly composed of native deciduous trees, including oak, beech, and birch. It is characterized by a dense canopy that provides shade and creates a cool and tranquil environment. The forest floor is covered in a rich carpet of mosses, ferns, and wildflowers, creating a diverse and vibrant ecosystem.

Church Covert is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers, offering a network of well-maintained trails that wind through the woods. These paths provide opportunities for visitors to explore the natural beauty of the area and observe the local wildlife, which includes a variety of bird species, small mammals, and insects.

The covert also serves as a habitat for several protected species, such as the great spotted woodpecker and the common dormouse. Conservation efforts have been put in place to preserve and enhance the biodiversity of the woodland, including the creation of nesting boxes and the control of invasive plant species.

Overall, Church Covert in Worcestershire is a cherished natural gem, offering a peaceful retreat from the surrounding urban areas. Its diverse flora and fauna make it an important ecological site, while its well-maintained trails make it an enjoyable destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

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Church Covert Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.090158/-2.2781582 or Grid Reference SO8143. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Footbridges at the junction of footpaths near Blackmore End

peter robinson

Housing development, Hanley Swan

On the Welland road on what was a meadow between the school and the limit of residential land. There will be 11 new homes for rent or "HomeBuy": 4 three bedroomed houses, 3 two bedroomed houses, 2 two bedroomed bungalows and 2 two bedroomed apartments. Under the "HomeBuy" scheme the occupier initially buys between 25% and 75% of the house with the option of buying more shares in the house later. Link

How the meadow looked in 2007: SO8142 : Horse Jumps in Meadow SO8142 : Building site (right), Hanley Swan SO8142 : Building site (left), Hanley Swan SO8142 : Building site (centre), Hanley Swan

Bob Embleton

Building site (centre), Hanley Swan

On the Welland road on what was a meadow between the school and the limit of residential land. How the meadow looked in 2007: SO8142 : Horse Jumps in Meadow SO8142 : Building site (right), Hanley Swan SO8142 : Building site (left), Hanley Swan SO8142 : Housing development, Hanley Swan

Bob Embleton

Building site (left), Hanley Swan

On the Welland road on what was a meadow between the school and the limit of residential land. SO8142 : Building site (right), Hanley Swan SO8142 : Building site (centre), Hanley Swan SO8142 : Housing development, Hanley Swan

Bob Embleton

Building site (right), Hanley Swan

On the Welland road on what was a meadow between the school and the limit of residential land. Note the photo-voltaic solar panels already fitted to the south facing roofs. SO8142 : Building site (left), Hanley Swan SO8142 : Building site (centre), Hanley Swan SO8142 : Housing development, Hanley Swan

Bob Embleton

Hanley Swan C of E primary school

A Church of England "controlled" school on the Welland Road next to the village hall. It was built around 1861 as a "school for the education of children and adults or children only of the Labouring, Manufacturing or other poorer classes." In 1947 it became solely a primary school. Notice how the older part of the school, with Malvern granite walls, looks just like a chapel - for indeed it was also used as a chapel of ease for the inhabitants of the Swan Green area (now called Hanley Swan) until St Gabriel's church was built.

Bob Embleton

Annual Honey Show, Hanley Swan Village Hall

An annual event in September for members of the Upton & Malvern Beekeepers. Many classes of honey, mead, beeswax, full frames of unextracted honey, cakes, biscuits and "interesting bee keeping-related exhibits". After the judges have made their decisions the show is open to the members and public for free. The hire of the hall is paid for by the car boot sale outside the hall, a raffle and the sale of refreshments inside. The show ends with the raffle draw and presentation of the many prize cups, shields, etc. It is good preparation for the Worcestershire County competition a few weeks later at the Autumn Show held at the Three Counties Showground.

Bob Embleton

The Swan Pool (village pond) at sunset

David Smith

The Swan Inn at Hanley Swan

Perhaps the title should be "the swan" as the signs use lower case only. Hanley Swan has the traditional English village centre: a cross roads with a village green, overlooked by an inn in one corner; a village pond in the next corner; the post office and shop next, and houses in the fourth. When I grew up here, I almost believed that every village should have this layout.

David Smith

A second oak tree on the village green

The centre of the green is site for an oak planted in the 19th century.

David Smith

Old Barn, Guarlford

A derelict building amongst an apple orchard with a good crop of mistletoe. In the background is North Hill at the end of the granite Malvern Hills range with Great Malvern beneath. The church spire to the left of centre is Holly Mount United Reformed Church. The infill television transmitter is to the right of the picture. This also transmits local radio and the structure is adorned with a plethora of aerials and microwave dishes.

Bob Embleton

Hangman's Lane - Green Lane junction

Hangmans Lane forks to the left while the lane to the right becomes an unmetalled "green lane" after Broadacres Farm.

Bob Embleton

Snow field, Hanley Swan

An interesting long narrow field with a stream on the right hand boundary.

Bob Embleton

Snow field, Hanley Swan

An interesting long narrow field with a stream bordering its southern edge. The Malvern Hills can be seen in the distance.

Bob Embleton

Wooden Bridge near Hanley Swan

Attached to the tree on the far side is a maple leaf memorial to Canadians killed in a mid air collision during WWII. SO8243 : Footbridge and Maple Leaf memorial, Hanley Swan

Bob Embleton

Canadian memorial near Hanley Swan

In memory of the seven Canadian airmen who died in a mid-air collision between two Wellington bombers on the 11th August 1944. SO8243 : Names on the Canadian War Memorial, Hanley Swan SO8243 : Plaque on the Canadian War Memorial, Hanley Swan SO8243 : Footbridge and Maple Leaf memorial, Hanley Swan

Bob Embleton

Plaque on the Canadian War Memorial, Hanley Swan

Dedicated to the memory of seven Canadian airmen who lost their lives as a result of a mid-air collision between two Wellington bombers on the 11th August 1944. Wellington MF 591 struggled back to base at Honeybourne. Wellington LP 618 crashed in a field near Hanley Swan. Only the pilot survived. SO8243 : Footbridge and Maple Leaf memorial, Hanley Swan

Bob Embleton

Names on the Canadian War Memorial, Hanley Swan

The plaque lists the Canadian airmen who died in the two colliding Wellington bombers under the serial number of the planes: MF 591 P.O. J. Shwaikoski. aged 30 LP618 Sgt. L.M Lysak. aged 31 Sgt. A.E. Kidney. aged 26 Sgt. G.O. Prime. aged 24 Sgt. L.C. Lamb. aged 24 Sgt. H.G. Round. aged 21 Sgt. L.H. Fraser. aged 20 We will remember them. SO8243 : Footbridge and Maple Leaf memorial, Hanley Swan

Bob Embleton

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Church Covert is located at Grid Ref: SO8143 (Lat: 52.090158, Lng: -2.2781582)

Administrative County: Worcestershire

District: Malvern Hills

Police Authority: West Mercia