On the 19 May 2005 a stand of trees in Hardwick Wood, near Plymouth was dedicated as a memorial for the 22 lost shipmates of HMS Ardent. Hardwick Wood is an AWS situated on a hilltop location on the outskirts of Plymouth and Plympton village. It is highly prominent in the landscape and due to heavy windblown 10ha in its central areas has a thin canopy appearance for much of its length. The restocking following the tree clearance is well established, but not of sufficient size to contribute to the landscape at present. The more sheltered eastern end of the wood was little affected by the gales and consists of a mature Oak Ash and Beech high forest. A mainly native broadleaf species wood it replicates well the Ancient semi natural woodland that once stood on the site and with no recorded break in continuity the ASNW ground flora is still present. The wood is criss-crossed by a network of wide grass rides, and narrow paths and has a high and regular number of visitors. The wood has a superb show of bluebell, ransom and Campion during the spring.
Dedication Certificate View 1 : View 2 : View 3
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