A NOT-for profit company has won a grant from the Big Lottery to run conservation activities at one of Bexley’s most precious open spaces.

The community conservation project, Embrace the Wild! is centred on Lesnes Abbey Woods in Abbey Wood, and funded through a £7,875 community wildlife grant.

Embrace the Wild! which is being run by Embrace Co-operation Ltd, will involve eight free conservation activities for the public to get involved in, plus another six aimed specifically at young people.

Following the nature photography walk on October 30, the next event will be a glade clearing workshop on November 6 from 1pm to 4pm.

People are invited to help clear overgrown brambles, ivy and other invasive plants from a glade in the woods, to help encourage native wildflowers and herbs to grow.

All the tools, safety equipment and drinks will be provided by Embrace and anyone can take part.

Under-16s have to be accompanied by an adult.

For details and to book a place, email john.c@myembrace.org The project activities will run until January 29 and will include another photography walk, fungi identification, tree coppicing, wooden fence making and repair.

Embrace the Wild! ‘s events for young people can be tailored to suit specific local youth groups or schools.

To find out more, email the same address.

Lesnes Abbey Woods are owned by Bexley Council which shares the care with a group of volunteer conservationists, the Lesnes Abbey Conservation Volunteers (LACV).

The volunteers have their own regular year round programme of work in the woods, which also enables members of the public to take part.

John Cannell, who is Embrace’s project manager for the environment and marketing, is also a member of LACV.

To find out more about LACV and its work programme, go to lacv.btck.co.uk