BAGW Overview & Update (June 2025)

(Update No5)

Benchmark at Grinham's Wood (BAGW) is a small village community initiative involving 2 miles of riverside path adjacent to the Tweed from the Union Chainbridge a mile up river to Horncliffe, and a further mile beyond to St Thomas' Island - encompassing 25 acres of woodland in the lower section and a further 25 acres in the upper section. BAGW relates to Paths & Benches, Woodland & Wildlife, History & Commemoration, Art & Photography, Health & Wellbeing. The 2 mile path is a constituent part of Destination Tweed’s ambitious project to create a trail from the source of the river Tweed to the mouth.

There are 5 Phases to the BAGW project: - Phase 1 is now complete and involved the planting of 8,000 trees on the river bank below Horncliffe. This achieved via grant funding from the English Forestry Commission, Tweed Forum and generous support from the Landowner (Robert Hunter of Horncliffe House).

 Phase 2 is currently underway due to grant funding approval from the Destination Tweed Community Fund and the Berwick-upon-Tweed Preservation Trust. This involves the installation of 10 benches with sandstone plinths with information panels inset commemorating Stalwarts and their families from the village of Horncliffe who served their Country during the 2nd World War (1939/1945).

Phase 3 is the area BAGW are currently looking for additional funding and would welcome any support and assistance to enable the Trust to make this come about. This relates to the repurposing of a derelict Fishing Shiel into a viewing platform and becoming a memorial and telling the story of salmon fishing via coble and net, which for centuries was an intrinsic way of life for the local community – but no longer. This being apt in that many of the Stalwarts and their families were net fishermen prior to serving their Country and resumed such after hostilities ceased. To date 50% of the required funding to enable this Phase of the initiative to proceed has been raised via the generous support of the Catherine Cookson Foundation.

Phase 4 involves the restoration of a traditional river Tweed Salmon Fishing Coble (boat) which will be exhibited alongside the Fishing Shiel Memorial. The coble generously donated to BAGW by a local business and to be restored via volunteer labour involving Friends & Supporters of BAGW.

Phase 5 involves the planting of a further smaller copse of trees beyond Horncliffe – this to be known as Stalwarts Copse, to honour all those from the community who served in WW2. Highly pertinent as 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the culmination of the conflict. Cheviot Trees who carried out the planting of Grinham’s Wood have generously agreed to supply the trees and materials associated with this – the planting to be carried out via volunteer labour supplied by Friends & Supporters of Grinham’s Wood.

The aim of the BAGW Trustees and Friends of BAGW is to complete all 5 Phases by the end of this year (2025). Beyond the above Phases BAGW's intentions in relation to Art & Photography involves hosting an annual art and photography exhibition to promote BAGW and raise funds for ongoing maintenance.

Regards Health & Wellbeing the walks and vistas involved in BAGW and being at one with nature and out in the fresh air - provides such. The BAGW website www.bagw.co.uk explains, demonstrates and highlights more as well as being a vital aspect for ongoing communication, information and promotion of the project.

A forthcoming book 'Tweed Trail Challenge' by one of the Trustee's includes and highlights the BAGW initiative and will be published later in the year (2025) and tells the story as well as incorporating dramatic photography relating to the project. A percentage of sales being donated to BAGW.

The launch earlier in the year of ‘The Friends of Grinham's Wood’ in Horncliffe village hall highlights the support our initiative has within the local community - 60+ Friends signing up and over £1,000-00 raised. It’s important to point out - up to this juncture all expenditure, expenses, fees, costs and input relating to the development and setting up of the Benchmark at Grinham's Wood initiative has been supplied directly via the Trustees and various Friends, Volunteers and Sponsors: Which has made it possible for Phase 1 to be completed, the funds for Phase 2 now in place, 50% of the funding of Phase 3 having been raised, donation of the fishing coble, as well as sponsorship for the trees and materials required for Stalwarts Copse.

The Trustees of BAGW would like to thank all those individuals, institutions and businesses that have provided support for the initiative - it is greatly appreciated. For those wishing to get involved or contribute please visit the Benchmark at Grinham’s Wood website for further information – www.bagw.co.uk