I am 76 years old and was surfing the ‘Net’, which I have done for many years now and my dream was to own a piece of land.  Apart from many other qualifications, I have a Diploma in Farm Management, obtained at Sparsholt Farming College near Winchester.  I came upon a web site called Woodlands. co. uk. I was very impressed on the amount of information and comprehensive explanations on how to buy and manage woodland on this web-site.

Regis Wood at Forton near Chard Somerset caught my attention and I contacted the Area manager, Daniel Sharp; who immediately gave me all the information I needed. He trusted me to go to the woodland and said he would hold the sale until I had decided whether to buy it or not.  All the negotiations were done on the phone. There are lists of Solicitors on the Web site, who deal with this type of purchase.  As they say ‘Horses for courses’. All was completed in 6 weeks.

The woodland is only 1 ¾ acres, full of conifers and broadleaf trees and Bluebells in the spring. It was originally part of a 40-acre woodland, so a local farmer tells me. there is still a large amount of woodland to be purchased in the same area.

Occasionally we go down to Regis Wood in our small caravan for a couple of nights to recharge our batteries. You then realise you are more of a free spirit when you own the wood. You do not have to book in, worry about getting there by a certain time, and leaving by a certain date. Valerie and I are trying to encourage wild life by making and putting up Bird nesting and Bat boxes Planting wild flowers and edible fungi. Then there is the study of the different trees and you learn that conservation is a must.

It has given us a new lease of life and interest away from the mundane routine and demands from those who think because you are retired that you have plenty time on your hands. I thoroughly recommend it if you have the cash just lying in the Bank just for a rainy day, use it, life is too short. The relatives you leave behind will.

A bonus to the position of our woodland is that the town of Chard is only 5 minutes away. This is a small compact town, which caters for your every need. There is also an official campsite only a few hundred yards away if you require emergency supplies.

I know we have only owned Regis Wood for a few months, but we have not regretted buying it. When you are there all your worries, if any, are left at home. Valerie and I thoroughly recommend it.

Tony and Valerie Hutley