No place like gnome!

7:34am Tuesday 1st April 2008

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IF you go down to the woods today you could be in for a very small surprise.

Hidden away deep within a Hampshire forest lies a mystical secret.

A secret shared by magical beings that inhabit an enchanted tree to send messages to the children of Botley.

For three years youngsters have visited the pixie wonderland that lies in the heart of Curbridge Nature Reserve to leave special treasures for the fairies and elves.

With their tiny pixie post-boxes and their charming miniature step ladders, the elves, pixies and fairies are able to gather the messages and gifts, leaving their own notes to say thank-you.

The magical wonderland appeared in its secret location overlooking the River Hamble when a small door was carved into the trunk of a tree and since then a whole host of fairy families have moved in, adding pictures, post boxes, step ladders and chimneys.

Kath Butcher who calls herself the fairy godmother, is the guardian of the tree, and makes regular visits to ensure the place stays tidy and helps the fairies to reply to all the children's messages.

Mrs Butcher, from Botley, said: "I am the fairy godmother that comes and checks on the fairies to make sure they are all doing okay and that their home is tidy.

"It all started three years ago and since then it has just grown with more and more children leaving messages and gifts for the fairies, pixies and elves.

"Over the years we have added small houses to keep the messages dry and a couple of step ladders so that the fairies who do not have wings can get to the gifts.

"Children also leave coins which are saved up and donated to the Stubbington Ark to help the sick and unwanted animals living there. It is lovely to see the children enjoy this and some of the messages they leave are so sweet."

The Echo Elves would like to thank Just for Fun in Southampton for supplying the elf costumes.