Woodland Play Centre

Tremendous Trees!

2012-01-16T02:18:00.000-08:00

It is the time of year to be planting, as a gift to my family members each one was given a Sweet Chestnut tree to plant in the woods. This weekend saw the planting of these trees, carefully selected and debated places for the trees to grow into big strong trees that can be climbed and sat in....in years to come! It was a very special time that each tree is now associated to a very important family member, as well as continuing to look after and nurture the woodland and all that live there! Although we are having to go back and add more guards to the trees as the deer will feast on the young saplings!

It will soon be half term and there will be a few days of playful projects, including some tree planting! Days and times to follow shortly!

Enjoy this seasonally cold spell and fingers crossed for a bit of snow at the weekend to play in ;)

The New Year....and what a day!!

2012-01-03T01:55:00.000-08:00

Today sees many people back to work, for me after a fortnight of back to back events, festivities, family visits, eating, sleeping, card games, board games and exploring outside with friends and family! I know i am often heard chanting the saying 'there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing' but i can honestly say that this morning i am quite happy tucked into my office starting to tackle the paper pile that has gathered over the festive period.

I found for many families i spoke to over the festive time, that this year for many it was a time for tightening the purse strings and not getting caught up in the huge amount of spending Christmas can bring, this included me. I found myself thinking much more creatively rather than buying a present off the shelf. Presents this year included many home made gifts, i seemed to make endless stars and tree decorations after our day in the woods on the 17th December with Linda. I also made sure that i gifted 'time' for many, my present to promise to give time to those i love. Although i am utterly exhausted, i have really enjoyed catching up with many friends and family to walk, talk, eat and play. Lets hope i do more of that this year!

I was pleased to read a fellow bloggers review from a parents perspective on the importance of children playing freely outside and recalling his own childhood memories, to read it follow this link http://www.external-designs.co.uk/blog/ It is good to know that Mark is involved in the outdoors...from a design point of view, i wonder if the garden designs could capture the essence of magic and playfulness he recalls from his childhood! A good challenge i am sure.....if we could all design our own gardens / spaces what top FIVE features would you have in it? I would have to have water, a large oak tree, dense cover to play under, tunnels and a treehouse!

I am going to be spending the next week or so putting the programme of events for this year together, so hope to be in touch soon with dates!

Windy wishes

New Years Day walk

2011-12-31T02:15:00.000-08:00

I hope that everyone has had a Merry Christmas and a festive time.

We are still planning on walking on the Quantocks tomorrow, meeting at Crowcombe Park Gate.....if anyone would like to join us please ring / text me today, as we may change the time and don't want people turning up and waiting around for us!

If we do not see you tomorrow, then may I personally take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy New Year and hope our paths cross in the near future....Tree Planting next on the calandar!

Best wishes

Louise

Somerset County Council Woodland Sell off

2011-12-19T15:51:00.001-08:00

Hello All,

Apologies for hijacking the blog for this purpose but I wanted to let people know as soon as possible, in order for you to have an opinion.

You may have heard about the proposal to sell off public land around Crowcombe hills?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-16174219

It appears they may try to slip this in before Christmas, as the deadline for getting your opinion registered is FRIDAY 23^RD DECEMBER 2011

Anyone wanting to raise this issue with their local council representative can find them here

http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/council/map.asp

The Quantock Eco group have objected to the proposal and information can be found on the following link

http://www.scribd.com/doc/76037133/Quantock-Eco-Objection-to-Quantock-Hills-Land-Sale

Have a read and see what you make of it…but do so by Friday! There is various information on the Woodland Facebook page too and links to other sites etc.

Many thanks Louise

Festive day in the woods

2011-12-18T12:25:00.000-08:00

A BIG thank you to everyone who came to the woods yesterday. I hope everyone had a wonderful afternoon. From thinking there would only be a handful of people to play, it was a busy afternoon with lots of buzzing, sizzling and cracking!

Ali and Linda did a superb job with the beautiful Christmas wreaths, stars and the glittered picture frame decorations! The wood today is full of sparkle.....it even made Roo bark today! Thank you so much Linda and Ali for sharing your expertise....I am gutted that I did not get to have a go.....another time and certainly next year, we will certainly repeat the event, as was just so special to share a magical space with lovely people, some sparkle and magic fairy dust in the fire!!

Thank you also to all those that bought cakes....SO yummy....please come again!

Today, whilst i was having another big bonfire, burning all the cut rhododendron from yesterday i was thinking about and looking at the mud bath around the campfire. In the new year it will be time to move the camp in order to let the ground there rest. I am amazed that none of us slipped over in the dark last night!!

If anyone has photos from yesterday please post them here on the blog or facebook! Especially of your beautifully hand made wreaths and decorations!!

May i take this opportunity once again to wish you all a festive time and look forward to seeing many of you in the New Year.

Louise

Chrsitmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, please put a penny in the olds mans hat!

2011-12-09T06:49:00.000-08:00

It seems a while since a detailed Woodland update was posted. Here is the latest news from the woods and forthcoming events.

Events

It is with great excitement that we are able to let you know (finally, as apologies for the short notice there has been a severe lack of internet connection recently) that we are having a Festive WILD ART session in the woods on Saturday 17th December 2011 1100 to 1300hrs
Come and explore the wild woods, collecting lots of natural products as we go, then create Wild Art!! We are hoping to make hanging art works, and add a bit of Christmas sparkle to the woods!! We will also be lighting the fire, and toasting marshmallows, yum, yum!

Suitable for 1 yrs and up...bring an adult with you!

Wild Art Costs are £12 per child, £8 for the second child. Refreshments are provided. Why not bring a warming lunch and stay to play for a while.

MUST be booked in advance….just ring or email me.

Festive Fun & Wreath making workshop on SATURDAY 17^th DECEMBER 2011 from 1400 to 1700hrs

SUITABLE FOR Children, families and adults.

This is an opportunity for those attending WILD ART to stay on and play and for everyone else to join us. Throughout the afternoon there will be opportunities for children and adults to be shown how to make your own, natural Christmas Wreath (and take it home with you!), as well as making other festive and tree decorations.

There will be hot drinks and cakes throughout the afternoon for sale. Whilst it is FREE to attend we will be asking for donations to take part in the workshop.

As a big thank you to all that support the Woodland Play Centre, we would like invite you to stay in the woods as it starts to get dark, we will light the lanterns and we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and start the festive fun by having a glass of mulled wine and mince pie with us (you may also want to bring a torch!)

Please BOOK IN ADVANCE by letting us know, so we know roughly how many to cater for.

SUNDAY 1^st JANUARY 2012

1100 Meet at Crowcombe Park Gate car park

A Winter Walk for all the family

Start the New Year with a winter walk on the Quantock Hills and walk off all the festive food! Refresh the soul with a gentle walk from Crowcombe Park Gate along the drove to Triscombe and down to the Blue Ball Inn. If coming with friends it maybe wise to consider parking one car at the Blue Ball so you can get a lift back to Crowcombe Park Gate, if not we can help with lifts as long as we know in advance! It is not a long walk, I am allowing 2 hours….unless we find anything really exciting on route! FREE apart from drinks at the Blue Ball!

Join us for a winter adventure and we will see what we can find and explore along the way…..let us know if you are coming by popping an email or ringing, so we know who to wait for at Crowcombe Park Gate!

PARKING FOR ALL EVENTS (THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT)

Please lift-share where possible as parking is scarce.
Please park inside the gate (left gate as you turn in off the road) as tightly together as possible, but please DO NOT BLOCK or drive down the track – the woods are a CAR FREE ZONE.
If there is no space inside the gate, please ONLY PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD – NOT directly outside the gate or on the road at the entrance, as there has to be ACCESS TO THE WOODS FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES AT ALL TIMES. There are TWO GATES, neither gate must be blocked at any time, or should the roads.
There are PULL-INS up the lane opposite the gate to the woods, as well as on the road back down to Taunton – PLEASE USE THESE but do not block them or make it difficult for large traffic to pass.

Events maybe cancelled due to bad weather, so please keep an eye out for updates from me or check before heading out!

News

The recent months have been filled with planning and thinking for 2012! We are in the progress of re-developing the Woodland Play Centre website and that will be launched next year, it is exciting making all the changes and adding information. The aim is that whilst not at the top end of the all singing all dancing modern technology, it will be much easier to use, will be clearer, crisper with content, have up to date events and information and the ability to book online.

The most exciting news is that it is OFFICAL that the WOODLAND EXPLORERS CIC is now a fully incorporated Community Interest Company. It was decided to set up a CIC of which projects from the New Year will now be delivered through, the statement for incorporation has to declare that the company will carry out its activities for the benefit for the community, of which woodland projects do. This is really exciting as whilst the objectives have not changed, the legal structure in which the projects are delivered under reflect the objectives in terms of benefitting the community.

In the coming months, time will be spent on preparing for next year in the woods and making sure there are plenty of projects and events for you to engage in. There are hopefully some exciting projects in the pipeline, but if you, your friends, your school or group have a need for the woods or any particular project I would love to hear from you. As a reminder of what is currently offered;

WOODLAND PLAYSCHEMES – during school holidays (excluding Christmas) 1000 – 1600hrs, with early bird and night owl drop off options. For over 8’s and on request occasionally under 8’s. Perhaps you run a playscheme or project and want to come for a day or more to the woods?
WOODLAND PARTIES – all year round parties for children from 3 years and up (including adults!!), 3 hours of adventures, fire, mud and chaos….all facilitated by an environmental playworker! Tailored to individual requests.
WOODLAND ADVENTURES – for the younger adults….bit of surfing…coasteering….mountain biking with Active Escape. Can be built into a programme for your group, school if staying in the woods, can booked as a stand alone adventure or as a party…the choice is yours!
WOODLAND EDUCATIONAL DAYS – bring your class to the woods, whether pre-school, primary or secondary. Projects can be linked into certain curriculum areas, can support Forest School delivery. Come on West Somerset Railway to add to the adventure….just think Famous Five & the spook train! Projects tailored at your request!
WOODLAND TRAINING – for adults we can offer bespoke training as a one off, we specialise in outdoor play. Training can be in the woods or at your venue; workshops can be delivered at conference and network meetings. What about combining the Woodland Adventures with some environmental play for your company?! In the New Year we will be developing the suite of training but please do not hesitate to contact us if you require a day, evening or overnight in the woods.

Wow….. THANK YOU for listening! That was a long message….I hope you made it to the end as one last thing…….I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Thank you for supporting and opening your eyes in the woods this past year, hopefully next year more children young people and adults will have the opportunities to get close to nature, rekindle play outdoors and share some magical moments with us.

With very playful and festive wishes

Louise & team!

M 07775 941353

E info@woodlandplaycentre.com

W www.woodlandplaycentre.com

See our Woodland Calendar & Woodland Blog for the latest information

http://woodlandplaycentre.blogspot.com/

Be our Woodland Play friend on Facebook too

http://www.facebook.com/woodlandplay

I LOVE Autumn....and forthcoming festivities!!

2011-11-28T11:33:00.000-08:00

Saturday 17th December 2011

Come and explore the wild woods, collecting lots of natural products as we go, then create Wild Art!! We are hoping to make hanging art works, and add a bit of Christmas sparkle to the woods!! We will also be lighting the fire, and toasting marshmallows, yum, yum!

Suitable for 1yrs and up...bring an adult with you!

We then invite you to stay in the woods after so bring your packed lunch, and there will be more Festive Frolics until it gets dark!

Wild Art Costs are £12 per child, £8 for the second child. Refreshments are provided.
Festive Frolics 2pm onwards FREE, contribution to refreshments & activities if taking part. More info to follow soon on the Festive Fun!

I really do love this time of year...yesterday was just magic as i walked up to Hurley Beacon and beyond with some lovely friends, we took time to sit and swing in trees, stop to take stock of all the wildlife, splash in puddles and hide / sit in the crunchy leaves....I even tried a leaf angel!!

Crunchy and beautiful times!

2011-11-11T07:33:00.000-08:00

Wow what a few months, so much has happened since the last posting here in 'blogville'. I was rather outrageous and planned a long time ago to have a trip away....I am now back from New Zealand having had the most wonderful month travelling the north and south island. I happened to coincide the trip with the rugby world cup (well was the main reason to start with!!)!! I can safely say that i was in utter awe with the country, the vast expanse of space and wilderness, the variety of wildlife and landscapes that left me tears. Tears of joy and shear amazement that put everything in perspective and are a sharp reminder of the fact that we are so small in the world and nature really is truely an empowering, humbeling, scary and utterly beautiful thing. I appreciate it, but did not think it was possible to feel it even more. I also met some amazing people who were so friendly and hospitable, including a lady called Chrissy at Earth and Sky at Lake Tekapo http://www.newzealandsky.com/earthandsky/ who i must have stopped from doing any work all day, as we discussed in depth and in detail the vital importance of these wild spaces for children and how things even in New Zealand where there are only 4.4million people, compared to here in the UK with 65million, are changing and children do not have the same level of access to wild spaces as they did 30-50 years ago. Facinating country and did themselves proud with hosting the RWC!

Then i returned here to the West Country to fall right back into half term and playing in the woods! We had a great few days in the woods and one day was all bar one fully booked, which was excellent and we had a smashing day. We hope for more like that next year when the Woodland Playschemes start up again in February.

Then last weekend....bonfire night! Not only was a good time to celebrate Guy Fawks night, it was also Christina's 40th birthday (who does a lot of the blogging and is often the face of the Woodland Play Centre, as is at the heart of all networking!!) and also Mathilde (Chrsitina's daughter) had her 6th birthday the same week, Mathilde is often in the woods and can be found with Woody and Roo in tow! She has an air of magic that brings the woods alive. So this was a good reason to party and celebrate in the woods.

The day started with a Robin Hood birthday party, there were 18 young people ranging from 1 to 11 years old all dressed up and ready to make bows and arrows. We had (thankfully) ample adults to help as that was a bit of a mission! It was a busy afternoon, as there was a 'shooting range' once the bows and arrows were made! There was lots of running, chasing, finding, climbing trees all afternoon too. The toilet as always is a highlight!

Then the food.....what a feast! Sausages, cake, biscuits, marshmallows. A friend of Christina's made some amazing cup cakes that looked so beautiful on the cake stands in the woodland, just waiting for a woodland pixie to land on top of them!! All in all it was a great success and think the children (and adults!) went home exhausted, tired and smelly!

As if that was not enough, we...well Christina decided we would have a Bonfire party in the evening, in the woods! The lanterns were lit to light the path into the woods, we had a big bonfire and then on the camp fire had more food, mulled wine and homemade soup! We had friends from all over to come and celebrate in the woods and we gathered around the bonfire with our sparklers and then poof.....the bonfire flames changed colour, they went all green, blue, red, purple. Who needs fireworks....we had lots of 'oooo'ss, ahhh's and wow's', all without a bang!!

Here are some images of recent goings on....enjoy ;)

Autum Adventures....

2011-09-19T05:04:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow Woodlanders,

With the summer well and truly behind us now…it is time to look forward to some autumnal crisp explorations, all wrapped up in our hats, gloves and scarf! Here is what we are up to.

WILD ART

The last session…for now, on this series of Wild Art mornings in Pixie’s Wood takes place on FRIDAY 30^TH SEPETEMBER. If you have missed out so far, take a look at the Woodland Blog page www.woodlandplaycentre.blogspot.com for photos on what we have got up. Wild Art runs from 1000 – 1200noon and you are welcome to stay in the woods to explore, play and picnic until 1300hrs. Costs are £12 per child, £8 for the second child. Refreshments are provided.

If you would like to book a place then contact Christina Dithmar on cdithmar@btconnect.com or Ali Webb at ali@thecreationstation.co.uk

We are planning on organising a ‘Festive’ Wild Art in December so keep an eye open for the date (or register your interest now), if you fancy making some natural and festive decorations, drinking hot drinks around a roaring fire, as well mince pies and mulled wine!!

WOODLAND PLAYSCHEME

Come to the woods for a day or more to explore, get close to nature and play in nature’s playground!

On TUESDAY 25^TH, WEDNESDAY 26^TH AND THURSDAY 27^TH OCTOBER; 1000 – 1600hrs £20 per child, with the early bird option from 0900 and night owl until 1700hrs at £5 per option

There will be opportunities to go on autumn adventures, trying to hear the rutting stags, creating crunchy creatures, wide games and some bow and arrow action!

Please book and register your interest with Christina by emailing her at cdithmar@btconnect.com

We will be doing some tree planting too, so watch this space for a family tree planting day as well.

With regard to all bookings for the next month please can you either send a message via the woodland facebook page or via Christina Dithmar, as I will NOT be having email communication for a month!

So, this is me over and out for a month. Hope to see many of you over the half term.

Playful wishes Louise

Coming up....

2011-09-10T06:05:00.000-07:00

Coming up we have the final...for now...of the Wild Art sessions on Friday 30th September. Please contact Louise at louise@woodlandplaycentre.co.uk or Ali Webb from Creation Station to book on.

So far they are a great success so we have started plotting to do a Chrsitmas Wild Art...along with mince pies!!

Also coming up are the autumn half term WOODLAND PLAYSCHEMES on the tuesday, wednesday and thursday of half term. Contact Louise for details, but there will be some serious fire lighting, hot chocolate drinking and adventures going on!

Wild Art - this coming weekend

2011-08-29T01:17:00.000-07:00

The last weekend before school starts back again we are running another WILD ART session in the woods.

1000 - 1200noon, don't forget to bring a picnic if you want to stay and enjoy the woods for a little bit longer, until 1300hrs.

Wild Art is aimed at under 8's but is open to all, if you have older siblings that want to come they are welcome (and can always den build & explore!!)

BOOK NOW by emailing or ringing Louise at louise@woodlandplaycentre.co.uk or 07775 941353

Woodland Playschemes

2011-08-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

Woodland Playschemes can sometimes be hit and miss, with families trying to juggle in holidays and work during the school holidays. The Summer Holidays are nearly over and we are already thinking about the next holiday - OCTOBER HALF TERM!

Woodland Playschemes~ during the October half term will be on; Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th. 1000 - 1600hrs with the added option of an early bird and night owl drop off for those parents that are working. It feels like autumn is almost upon us, but we will be certainly getting up to some autumnal fun and games in the woods then!

So why not book up now?!

Is there anyone in this den....?

Yes...there were four lads in there!!

We do love the hammocks!

Delightful.....in the middle of a game of capture the flag, the defenders have time to sit and gaze up through the tree canopy & were talking about how fast the clouds were moving! Marvellous!

The best place to hang out....in the top net!

The Pole lathe in action again!And Woody....well what can we say....he really is just amazing & loves spending a day with us in the woods...especially if there are any sausages left over!

The lovely Harriet was honoured by having her face painted in order to join a 'team'....!!

Megan & Jack found a young toad, we seem to be seeing lots at the moment. This one was risking life and limb around the camp, with an inquizitive terrier, interested labrador and children's feet!

We had a great day yesterday in the woods, with some amazing dens.

To book onto the October half term's playscheme. Contact Louise on 07775 941353 or email her at louise@woodlandplaycentre.co.uk

Wild Art success

2011-08-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first of the three planned Wild Art sessions with Creation Station in Pixies Wood. With a group of young people ranging from 6 weeks old to 8 years old (plus two teenage fire lighting and whittling helpers!!), it was a fun filled morning exploring, finding, collecting, creating, lighting fires and of course all rounded off with the celebratory toasting marshmallows in the fire! It was a great turn out with many new families coming to the woods...once they found us! Ali (from Creation Station) and Louise really enjoyed the morning, thought it went very well and loved meeting new people. It was super that so many of families stayed and had a picnic in the woods too.

All gathered under the canopy for some Wild Art!

The next dates for the Wild Art sessions are SATURDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER AND FRIDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER from 1000 - 1200non, again please do bring a picnic and enjoy the woods until 1300hrs.

Book now for both dates by ringing Louise on 07775 941353 or emailing her at louise@woodlandplaycentre.co.uk
£12 per child, £8 for the second sibling
MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE

Wild Art is aimed at the under 8's but any age is welcome. Older siblings are always welcome to come and play in the woods!

Kilve Court Outdoor Centre on a bivi in the woods!

2011-08-18T05:52:00.000-07:00

The parachute Canopy from Endicotts in Exeter, housing the pole lathe borrowed from Tim. I love sitting under the canopy as it gentle billows in the wind.

The bivi's made by the youngersters for last nights adevnture. Loving the instructors hammock!!

These girls we warm, dry and cosy all night!

A boys bivi - well hidden!

The giggly girls in the far shelter, slept so well they even lay in i believe!!

Now we are talking....this was one instructors tent tipi! It looks amazing!! Wise move i think Dom to stay in that, with all the rain this morning!

Found this morning....understand from a reliable friend that it is a type of puff ball, but NOT edible. Looked amazing though, the shape and colour. Well found Andy (one of the instructors)! I also believe they did some great star gazing last night with the help of an "app"!!!?

2011-08-18T05:33:00.000-07:00

The Thunderbox having some TLC!

Two Compost Loo's, a boys loo and hand washing facility with harvested rain water....we are going up in the world!

Fame at last!

2011-08-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

The Woodland Play Centre is featured in this autumn's issue of Exmoor The Country Magazine (www.theexmoormagazine.com). The three-page feature includes lots of pictures, including shots by Christina Dithmar and Fiona Crawford and information about what’s going on down in the woods. The magazine is available now in the shops, with stockists closest to Crowcombe including Crowcombe Village Shop, Davies Newsagents in Williton and both Co-ops in Watchet.

Here is a small taster of the article, which is written by Mel Roach...

It was on a bright June day that I drove to Crowcombe Heathfield, through colonnades of majestic beeches, past the sleepy little railway station, to the Woodland Play Centre where owner and qualified environmental play worker Louise Kennedy has been tackling the problem of giving the outdoors back to our children. For over ten years Louise has run various outdoor and woodland playschemes with the central aim of enabling children to play freely in a natural environment.

I parked in a small stoned area by the road and entered the woods. Past limbering birches and flourishing rhododendrons, the first sign of life I spied was a structure made from hazel poles, a small shelter, built by and for a small person no doubt. Around the corner, remnants of a bow and arrow lay on the ground and then, wafting over the breeze, along with the vibrant sounds of children playing, I detected the hearty and welcoming smell of sausages being cooked on an open fire.

“I can see a lady!” murmured a small boy from a hidden place in the shade. “Hello?” I called out and, rounding a large oak tree, I arrived upon a base camp of sorts. The half-term playscheme was in full swing....

Join in the fun this Playday

2011-07-31T14:55:00.000-07:00

Playday, the national day for play is coming to Crowcombe on Wednesday 3 August. Celebrations, giving families the opportunity to get outdoors and play, will be held at Crowcombe Village Hall & Play Area with highlights including circus skills, messy play, physical play, sports, games, woodland play, arts and crafts, music and lots, lots more...

The event is one of hundreds being held nationwide to celebrate Playday 2011. Playday is a national awareness raising campaign coordinated by Play England, and this year supported by Savlon. The campaign aims to highlight unprecedented restrictions on children’s opportunities to play, and encourages action so that children can play out more.

Research released to support the campaign shows activities, which for parents were part of growing up, seem to be in danger of disappearing:

· - 42 per cent of children report they have never made a daisy chain

· - 32 per cent have never climbed a tree

· - A quarter of children today have never had the simple pleasure of rolling down a hill

· - 47 per cent of adults built dens every week as a child, yet 29 per cent of today’s children say they have never built a den at all

· - A third of children have never played hopscotch

· - One in ten children have never ridden a bike

Catherine Prisk, Co-Director of Play England, said: “Playing outside, getting muddy, climbing trees and making daisy chains are simple pleasures that many of today’s children are missing out on. Play - outside and indoors - is essential for children's health, well-being and happiness now, and is also important for their future development, to build vital life and social skills. It’s important that we overcome the barriers to outdoor play by addressing parents’ safety concerns, protecting and making the most of outdoor spaces in our communities and acknowledging the pressures on family time. For families, simply building a little time to play in the fresh air every day is a great start.”

Over a third of parents claim their fondest memories of play were making up their own games, proof that outdoor play doesn’t need to be costly or structured. To take the first step, get out and play on Playday. Visit www.playday.org.uk for details.

All things summery!!

2011-07-17T16:26:00.000-07:00

Woodland Playschemes
Monday 8th August — Build a Bug Hotel
Tuesday 9th August— Build a Bird Box
Friday 12th August—Whittling Crafts
Friday 12th August—Wild Night Out (pm)
Monday 15th August—Cooking & mud oven
Tuesday 23rd August—Robin Hood & Maid Marion
Wednesday 24th August—Den & Shelter Building
Thursday 25th August—A Walk on the Wild Side.

All summer as always there will be the flexibility to change, adapt and follow the children’s interest of what they would like to do. We can den build, play with fire, bug hunt, survive, play endless games of capture the flag, foxes and hounds, make bows and arrows...what ever they want (within reason!) Plus whatever spontaneously occurs!!

£20.00 per day / per child. With the option of an early bird drop off from 0900 and night owl pick up till 1700hrs each for £5.00 per child.

WILD NIGHT OUT - An evening playing and exploring in the dark and seeing what comes out to play at night!!! £15.00 per child, times from 1800—2200hrs.

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - We will meet at Crowcombe Park Gate and take an adventurous trip across the Quantocks and down to the woods where a feast will await us! Must haves on the trip include armour, tricks and traps!

The Woodland Playschemes are for those (mainly) 8 years and over and booking is essential. Please contact Louise for further clarification on age restrictions.

For more information and to book contact Louise.

See programme of events for other days in the woods for families, Wild Art, Mad Hatters Tea Party & a Family Camp out!

Mobile: 07775 941353
louise@woodlandplaycentre.co.uk
www.woodlandplaycentre.co.uk

International Play Conference - Cardiff

2011-07-09T14:51:00.000-07:00

I have had the pleasure of spending the week in Cardiff at the International Play Conference, it was an amazing week meeting new people from all over the globe with a common interest in children's play and children's right to play (UN Convention on the Rights of a child). I am exhausted with all the conversations i have had over the four day period, but utterly inspired and challenged.. There were many debates on what play is, how it is described, that covered a range of 'providers' of play spaces, which in itself created challenging and sparky conversations! We also of course had time to party, which was a must as after all it was the 50th anniversairy of IPA. Meynell did an outstanding Whisky tasting / playful session (for grown-ups!) plus loads more!

Marc Bekoff gave a really interesting and thought provoking presentation on animal play, here you can read the extracts from Marc in the latest Ip-D!p magazine (issue 56: page 12) for playworkers and the play profession.

Play, play, and play some more: Let children be the animals they have the right to be “Better a broken bone than a broken spirit”
I just had the pleasure of attending an incredible meeting called “Playing into the future - surviving and thriving”. The major theme of this international gathering concerned the importance of play for children and how we can create a future where play is valued and where every country and neighborhood upholds every child’s right for freedom and a safe enough environment for playing, as they should. Boundless inspiration came from about 450 delegates from 55 nations, including areas where children don’t play because they’re seriously ill, because their parents, families, or communities can’t afford to allow them play because they have to work, or because there aren’t any safe places to play. However, play is also severely curtailed in affluent areas throughout the world. I was simply astounded that an organization such as Play Wales (there are many like it throughout the world) and these sorts of meetings are even necessary so that kids can be kids. The situation is so dire that there also is a United Nations Convention on the rights of the child. Article 31 is specifically concerned with play: Children have the right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities. My learning curve was vertical as a relative outsider who was there to talk about what we can learn about human play from what we know about nonhuman animal (animal) play. After all, we are big-brained altricial mammals, born helpless and requiring extensive adult care, who learn a variety of skills through different sorts of play. Much of what applies to the social development of nonhuman mammals applies to us. The study of play behavior in animals tells us a lot about what human children need. Basically, we can learn about the various reasons why animals play, why it has evolved and develops as it does, including social development and socialization, physical exercise, cognitive development, and also for learning social skills concerning fairness and cooperation. The basic rules for fair play in animals also apply to humans, namely ask first, be honest, follow the rules, and admit you’re wrong. When the rules of play are violated, and when fairness breaks down, so does play. Play may also be important as “training for the unexpected”. Based on an extensive review of available literature, my colleagues Marek Spinka, Ruth Newberry, and I proposed that play functions to increase the versatility of movements and to recover from sudden shocks such as the loss of balance and falling over, and to enhance the ability of animals to cope emotionally with unexpected stressful situations. To obtain this “training for the unexpected” we suggested that animals actively seek and create unexpected situations in play and actively put themselves into disadvantageous positions and situations. Thus, play is comprised of sequences in which players switch rapidly between well controlled movements similar to those used in “serious” behavior and movements that result in temporary loss of control. In discussions at the meeting in Wales, I also made the point that there are far too many of us, and animals, living in high densities where resources (for example, food and shelter) are limited, play usually decreases or drops out altogether. Mothers (or other care-givers) may stop their kids from playing to save energy compared to stress free environments where play continues. While the imposition of these restrictions seems reasonable the extreme, some might say ludicrous, limits on play in human children are found not only in poor neighborhoods and countries but also in places where there are ample or more than enough resources. As I listened to paper after paper I also found myself worrying about the long-term effects of a non-playing generation(s): Can it be overcome? Will there be enough momentum so that different developmental pathways in which there is less play become patterns that evolve over time? How did it
come to be that we don’t let children be children? What right do we have to rob children of their childhood?
There are many reasons why children need to play, just as young animals need to play. We need free-ranging
kids. They must be allowed to get dirty and learn to take risks and negotiate social relationships that might be
complicated, unexpected, or unpredictable. I love the slogan of Play Wales, Better a broken bone than a broken spirit, attributed to Lady Allen of Hurtwood. We should all embrace it with all our heart. Let’s celebrate World Play Day every May 28. Let’s “rewild” the children of the world. Let them play and let them have their childhood. Of course, adults also need to play more but that’s another story. Play, play, and play some more: Let children be the animals they have the right to be “Better a broken bone than a broken spirit”

Shocking stats...

2011-07-09T14:31:00.000-07:00

Research carried out by OnePoll in June 2011, for Savlon, amongst 2,000 parents with children under
16 years old in the UK and 2,000 children between the age of 6 and 15 confirms that children are no
longer spending their time playing outdoors.Ref: Ip-D!p issue 56.

ip-dip no. 56 - feature
New research from Savlon and Play England reveals two thirds of parents always had adventures outdoors as a child but worry their children do not have the same opportunities today. Many of parent’s fondest childhood
memories are of playing outside, however, outdoor activities that for parents were part of growing up seem to be in danger of disappearing:
• 42 per cent of children report they have never made a daisy chain
• 32 per cent have never climbed a tree
• A quarter of children today have never had the simple pleasure of rolling down a hill
• 47 per cent of adults built dens every week as a child, yet 29 per cent of today’s children say they have never built a den at all
• A third of children have never played hopscotch
• One in ten children have never ridden a bike

The research confirms parents’ concerns that children are no longer spending their time playing outdoors. 72 per cent of adults played outside rather than indoors, compared to 40 per cent of children today, with children now at risk of losing out on essential childhood experiences that outdoor play brings. The research marks the launch of Playday, supported by Savlon. To celebrate the national day for play on 3 August 2011, nationwide events are being held across the UK to encourage families to get outdoors and play. Austin Healey, ex-England rugby star and father of four daughters under the age of ten, says: ‘Encouraging my daughters to
behave like children - exploring, discovering and creating, reminds me of the joys of my childhood and are experiences I want them to enjoy. Hunting around the trees in our local park, learning to ride a bike or just leaving them to make up their own outdoor games is an important part of growing up.” Catherine Prisk, Co-Director of Play England, said: “Playing outside, getting muddy, climbing trees and making daisy chains are simple pleasures that many of today’s children are missing out on. Play - outside and indoors - is essential for children’s health, well-being and happiness now, and is also important for their future development, to build vital life and social skills. It’s important that we overcome the barriers to outdoor play by addressing
parents’ safety concerns, protecting and making the most of outdoor spaces in our communities and acknowledging the pressures on family time. For families, simply building a little time to play in the fresh air every day is a great start.” 7 out of 10 parents feel that taking their children to an outside space to play is a
real treat and children feel the same, with a reported 59 per cent that wish they could play outside in natural places more. Over a third of parents claim their fondest memories of play were making up their own games, proof that outdoor play doesn’t need to be costly or structured. To take the first step, get out and play on Playday. Playday is the national day for play in the UK, a celebration of the child’s right to play and a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives.

2011-07-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures that I took in the woods on Friday when we were working. They are random snapshots of life in the woods and the work going on in the background, when there are no woodland shenanigans going on, but just the hard background work - of course, not forgetting of course the need to eat deliciously cooked food on the fire. This friday we had roasted courgettes, as well as broadbeans fried in melted butter and sprinkled with herbs and parmesan. We also had the best bread, eggs, and danish chocolate sandwiches. Really, what more could we want, apart from all the glorious sunshine that came with it too! A rather lovely office in the outdoors...

The compost loo again...almost finished

Looking beautiful in the sun!

From behind - with the sink now working

Roasted courgettes for our lunch meeting

The lovely Linda having lunch with us in the woods

Gorgeous italian bread - sweet onion and feta foccacia

The lovely Lou working hard

Meg sleeping lots in the sunshine

Treetops

Unfurling ferns

Interesting ivy

A wonderful day at the woodland fair

2011-07-02T14:30:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful day at the Blackdown Hills Woodland Fair. It was quite full on and all go from 10am until 5pm, but it was worth every minute. We met some wonderful people and even got to catch up with lovely friends and acquaintances and even made some great new friends, too we hope. The children had a great time. We played guess what is in the box and best and most popular game of all, we did 'Nail bashing!'. It never seizes to amaze me how a nail, a tree stump and a hammer will occupy children for hours on end! I have to remember that next time I hear the word 'I'm bored' anywhere in the vicinity of my own house! It was glorious sunshine throughout the day and there were so many other things going on, that we barely had enough time to experience any of the other activities around us. We did however manage to take lots of pictures and we really hope to see many of the people we spoke to today. If you are reading this and you scroll down to see your photo below, please do contact us and I am very happy to send you the originals. If you think I may have taken photos of your children adn they are not published here, then again, please do contact us and I will be very happy to forward originals to you, if you would like them.
We very much look forward to seeing all the people we met today in the woods near Crowcombe sometime soon. Don't forget you can subscribe to an RSS feed or email to the right of this article, or you can contact us directly at the woodland play centre email address and we will add you to our mailing list.
Thank you all so much for a wonderful day, and hope to see you soon. I will leave you with some photos of some lovely visitors and fellow woodland folk...

Nicky and PHil, Learning from the Land.

REady for nail bashing

So much concentration - this was one of 15 photos...

Katie from Tracebridge - Amazing Sourdough bread...
they do delivery and bread making classes too...

Emma from FWAG

The brilliant bat people who will hopefully come
and do some bat detecting in the woods with us soon!

The horse doing the horse logging - from Monmouth,
but will go all over the country to do logging.

Making clay nests and creatures

More nail bashing!

Ahhh... a little tired.

Ready for bashing those nails!

There were a lot of people visiting carrying woods...
it was the woodland fair after all!

Ahhh more nests!

I don't know anyone who looks better in a hat!

Bless!

So rock and roll!

THE cutest baby...only 11th months old and running!

The only visitor wearing a bow all day!

Head of the family!

Gotcha!

Nail bashing competition carries on.

Someone is covered in clay.

End of the day nail bashing!

So - a good day was had by all and we can't wait for next year!

One seriously fabulous compost loo...in the making!

2011-06-27T05:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a great day, full of activity which at all times looked like organised activity, and not chaos at all! I say that, slightly tongue in cheek. It was not chaos, it was organised chaos and it was the smell of cedar wood and the sound of power tools that made saturday a gorgeous day! The compost loo went up in a matter of eight hours, and the chaps from learning from the land did a truly magnificent job. There are a few things left to do but the loo itself was in full working order the following morning, when the glue had dried. I think that in this case, pictures say it all and so I will add a few of the many, many pictures we took of the building of the compost loo. Some pictures are of the compost loo and others are of all the happenings that were occuring at the same time...a lot of fun was had as the day went into the evening and we ended the night with the lighting of lanterns and a spot of overnighting in the bell tent.

Getting the dogs ready for a weekend in the woods.

Frank using child labour to cut the chicken wire...ingenius!

Roo and Meg discover that other animals live in hay bales...
and the first post goes in.

George...and the building starts to look like something...

How many children does it take to saw a log?...4?

And a frame appears

All the girls had journey sticks too with lots of wonderful items they
found to wrap around them, and talk about them later on.

Someone working really hard!

Its an accessible compost loo - don't you know!
Beautiful organic hazel hand rails too...

Where would we be today without the power tools?

Ahh, the lovely Sarah and Sam with the dogs -
in the audience, supervising the building.

And a spot of tree climbing was in order too.

The audience, again.

George saws through 4 planks of wood...I have to say I was impressed!

Looking more and more like a building now

Check out the roof

Frank...not sure what he was doing...

What colour shall we paint the door?

Drinking tea and discussing tree houses

Some more tree climbing, anyone? Monkey feet only!

The magical hour.

How clothes ought to look after having a lot of woodland fun!

So - as you can see, it was a great weekend for the Woodland Play Centre.
We hope to see you on 2nd July at the Blackdown Hills Woodland Fair - and we are very much looking forward to it!

2nd July Blackdown Hills Woodland Fair

2011-06-24T04:34:00.000-07:00

PLease don't forget to come and see us at the Blackdown Hills Woodland Fair on 2nd July! We will be there with bells on - or at least with the bell tent...we might leave the bells at home. Come and play and have some fun! There will be so much to do and see and experience at the woodland fair. I went last year and it was brilliant fun! We spent a whole day there, having a picnic, drinking tea, eating cake and watching some amazing Arboretoreum (is that the right word?) guys climbing trees, and horses logging...etc. Honestly, it is a great day out, so come and play! xxx
Woodland Fair link

MAD HATTER TEA PARTY 20th August 2011

2011-06-24T04:27:00.000-07:00

This is just a very early special shout-out for all things MAD HATTER! We will be having a Mad Hatter tea party in the woods on Saturday 20th August and we will want to go completely mad and decorate the woods with lots of tea cups and tea pots and anything else mad and hatterish that you can think of.

PLEASE think of us when you are throwing things out or giving them to charity or freecycle! Or, if you are in charity shops or at boot sales and if you come across anything that you think we could use to decorate the woods and the grand table, then please bear us in mind! Please only spend pennies and not pounds as we want to try and do this, mainly by recycling old stuff or making things like cake stands!

We may also try and make a grand sculpture out of some of the things that we find, after we have had the party, so please don't give anything that you would like back!

I also can't resist putting the Mad Hatter Tea Party Chapter in here, to give you some inspiration...

CHAPTER VII
A Mad Tea-Party

There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it: a Dormouse was sitting between them, fast asleep, and the other two were using it as a cushion, resting their elbows on it, and talking over its head. `Very uncomfortable for the Dormouse,' thought Alice; `only, as it's asleep, I suppose it doesn't mind.'

The table was a large one, but the three were all crowded together at one corner of it: `No room! No room!' they cried out when they saw Alice coming. `There's plenty of room!' said Alice indignantly, and she sat down in a large arm-chair at one end of the table.

`Have some wine,' the March Hare said in an encouraging tone.

Alice looked all round the table, but there was nothing on it but tea. `I don't see any wine,' she remarked.

`There isn't any,' said the March Hare.

`Then it wasn't very civil of you to offer it,' said Alice angrily.

`It wasn't very civil of you to sit down without being invited,' said the March Hare.

`I didn't know it was your table,' said Alice; `it's laid for a great many more than three.'

`Your hair wants cutting,' said the Hatter. He had been looking at Alice for some time with great curiosity, and this was his first speech.

`You should learn not to make personal remarks,' Alice said with some severity; `it's very rude.'

The Hatter opened his eyes very wide on hearing this; but all he said was, `Why is a raven like a writing-desk?'

`Come, we shall have some fun now!' thought Alice. `I'm glad they've begun asking riddles.--I believe I can guess that,' she added aloud.

`Do you mean that you think you can find out the answer to it?' said the March Hare.

`Exactly so,' said Alice.

`Then you should say what you mean,' the March Hare went on.

`I do,' Alice hastily replied; `at least--at least I mean what I say--that's the same thing, you know.'

`Not the same thing a bit!' said the Hatter. `You might just as well say that "I see what I eat" is the same thing as "I eat what I see"!'

`You might just as well say,' added the March Hare, `that "I like what I get" is the same thing as "I get what I like"!'

`You might just as well say,' added the Dormouse, who seemed to be talking in his sleep, `that "I breathe when I sleep" is the same thing as "I sleep when I breathe"!'
`It is the same thing with you,' said the Hatter, and here the conversation dropped, and the party sat silent for a minute, while Alice thought over all she could remember about ravens and writing-desks, which wasn't much.
The Hatter was the first to break the silence. `What day of the month is it?' he said, turning to Alice: he had taken his watch out of his pocket, and was looking at it uneasily, shaking it every now and then, and holding it to his ear.
Alice considered a little, and then said `The fourth.'
`Two days wrong!' sighed the Hatter. `I told you butter wouldn't suit the works!' he added looking angrily at the March Hare.
`It was the best butter,' the March Hare meekly replied.
`Yes, but some crumbs must have got in as well,' the Hatter grumbled: `you shouldn't have put it in with the bread-knife.'
The March Hare took the watch and looked at it gloomily: then he dipped it into his cup of tea, and looked at it again: but he could think of nothing better to say than his first remark, `It was the best butter, you know.'
Alice had been looking over his shoulder with some curiosity. `What a funny watch!' she remarked. `It tells the day of the month, and doesn't tell what o'clock it is!'
`Why should it?' muttered the Hatter. `Does your watch tell you what year it is?'
`Of course not,' Alice replied very readily: `but that's because it stays the same year for such a long time together.'
`Which is just the case with mine,' said the Hatter.
Alice felt dreadfully puzzled. The Hatter's remark seemed to have no sort of meaning in it, and yet it was certainly English. `I don't quite understand you,' she said, as politely as she could.
`The Dormouse is asleep again,' said the Hatter, and he poured a little hot tea upon its nose.
The Dormouse shook its head impatiently, and said, without opening its eyes, `Of course, of course; just what I was going to remark myself.'
`Have you guessed the riddle yet?' the Hatter said, turning to Alice again.
`No, I give it up,' Alice replied: `what's the answer?'
`I haven't the slightest idea,' said the Hatter.
`Nor I,' said the March Hare.
Alice sighed wearily. `I think you might do something better with the time,' she said, `than waste it in asking riddles that have no answers.'
`If you knew Time as well as I do,' said the Hatter, `you wouldn't talk about wasting it. It's him.'
`I don't know what you mean,' said Alice.
`Of course you don't!' the Hatter said, tossing his head contemptuously. `I dare say you never even spoke to Time!'
`Perhaps not,' Alice cautiously replied: `but I know I have to beat time when I learn music.'
`Ah! that accounts for it,' said the Hatter. `He won't stand beating. Now, if you only kept on good terms with him, he'd do almost anything you liked with the clock. For instance, suppose it were nine o'clock in the morning, just time to begin lessons: you'd only have to whisper a hint to Time, and round goes the clock in a twinkling! Half-past one, time for dinner!'
(`I only wish it was,' the March Hare said to itself in a whisper.)
`That would be grand, certainly,' said Alice thoughtfully: `but then--I shouldn't be hungry for it, you know.'
`Not at first, perhaps,' said the Hatter: `but you could keep it to half-past one as long as you liked.'
`Is that the way you manage?' Alice asked.
The Hatter shook his head mournfully. `Not I!' he replied. `We quarrelled last March--just before he went mad, you know--' (pointing with his tea spoon at the March Hare,) `--it was at the great concert given by the Queen of Hearts, and I had to sing

"Twinkle, twinkle, little bat!
            How I wonder what you're at!"

You know the song, perhaps?'
`I've heard something like it,' said Alice.
`It goes on, you know,' the Hatter continued, `in this way:--

"Up above the world you fly,
            Like a tea-tray in the sky.
                    Twinkle, twinkle--"'

Here the Dormouse shook itself, and began singing in its sleep `Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle, twinkle--' and went on so long that they had to pinch it to make it stop.
`Well, I'd hardly finished the first verse,' said the Hatter, `when the Queen jumped up and bawled out, "He's murdering the time! Off with his head!"'
`How dreadfully savage!' exclaimed Alice.
`And ever since that,' the Hatter went on in a mournful tone, `he won't do a thing I ask! It's always six o'clock now.'
A bright idea came into Alice's head. `Is that the reason so many tea-things are put out here?' she asked.
`Yes, that's it,' said the Hatter with a sigh: `it's always tea-time, and we've no time to wash the things between whiles.'
`Then you keep moving round, I suppose?' said Alice.
`Exactly so,' said the Hatter: `as the things get used up.'
`But what happens when you come to the beginning again?' Alice ventured to ask.
`Suppose we change the subject,' the March Hare interrupted, yawning. `I'm getting tired of this. I vote the young lady tells us a story.'
`I'm afraid I don't know one,' said Alice, rather alarmed at the proposal.
`Then the Dormouse shall!' they both cried. `Wake up, Dormouse!' And they pinched it on both sides at once.
The Dormouse slowly opened his eyes. `I wasn't asleep,' he said in a hoarse, feeble voice: `I heard every word you fellows were saying.'
`Tell us a story!' said the March Hare.
`Yes, please do!' pleaded Alice.
`And be quick about it,' added the Hatter, `or you'll be asleep again before it's done.'
`Once upon a time there were three little sisters,' the Dormouse began in a great hurry; `and their names were Elsie, Lacie, and Tillie; and they lived at the bottom of a well--'
`What did they live on?' said Alice, who always took a great interest in questions of eating and drinking.
`They lived on treacle,' said the Dormouse, after thinking a minute or two.
`They couldn't have done that, you know,' Alice gently remarked; `they'd have been ill.'
`So they were,' said the Dormouse; `very ill.'
Alice tried to fancy to herself what such an extraordinary ways of living would be like, but it puzzled her too much, so she went on: `But why did they live at the bottom of a well?'
`Take some more tea,' the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly.
`I've had nothing yet,' Alice replied in an offended tone, `so I can't take more.'
`You mean you can't take less,' said the Hatter: `it's very easy to take more than nothing.'
`Nobody asked your opinion,' said Alice.
`Who's making personal remarks now?' the Hatter asked triumphantly.
Alice did not quite know what to say to this: so she helped herself to some tea and bread-and-butter, and then turned to the Dormouse, and repeated her question. `Why did they live at the bottom of a well?'
The Dormouse again took a minute or two to think about it, and then said, `It was a treacle-well.'
`There's no such thing!' Alice was beginning very angrily, but the Hatter and the March Hare went `Sh! sh!' and the Dormouse sulkily remarked, `If you can't be civil, you'd better finish the story for yourself.'
`No, please go on!' Alice said very humbly; `I won't interrupt again. I dare say there may be one.'
`One, indeed!' said the Dormouse indignantly. However, he consented to go on. `And so these three little sisters--they were learning to draw, you know--'
`What did they draw?' said Alice, quite forgetting her promise.
`Treacle,' said the Dormouse, without considering at all this time.

`I want a clean cup,' interrupted the Hatter: `let's all move one place on.'

He moved on as he spoke, and the Dormouse followed him: the March Hare moved into the Dormouse's place, and Alice rather unwillingly took the place of the March Hare. The Hatter was the only one who got any advantage from the change: and Alice was a good deal worse off than before, as the March Hare had just upset the milk-jug into his plate.

Alice did not wish to offend the Dormouse again, so she began very cautiously: `But I don't understand. Where did they draw the treacle from?'

`You can draw water out of a water-well,' said the Hatter; `so I should think you could draw treacle out of a treacle-well--eh, stupid?'

`But they were in the well,' Alice said to the Dormouse, not choosing to notice this last remark.

`Of course they were', said the Dormouse; `--well in.'

This answer so confused poor Alice, that she let the Dormouse go on for some time without interrupting it.

`They were learning to draw,' the Dormouse went on, yawning and rubbing its eyes, for it was getting very sleepy; `and they drew all manner of things--everything that begins with an M--'

`Why with an M?' said Alice.

`Why not?' said the March Hare.

Alice was silent.

The Dormouse had closed its eyes by this time, and was going off into a doze; but, on being pinched by the Hatter, it woke up again with a little shriek, and went on: `--that begins with an M, such as mouse-traps, and the moon, and memory, and muchness-- you know you say things are "much of a muchness"--did you ever see such a thing as a drawing of a muchness?'

`Really, now you ask me,' said Alice, very much confused, `I don't think--'

`Then you shouldn't talk,' said the Hatter.

This piece of rudeness was more than Alice could bear: she got up in great disgust, and walked off; the Dormouse fell asleep instantly, and neither of the others took the least notice of her going, though she looked back once or twice, half hoping that they would call after her: the last time she saw them, they were trying to put the Dormouse into the teapot.

`At any rate I'll never go there again!' said Alice as she picked her way through the wood. `It's the stupidest tea-party I ever was at in all my life!'

Just as she said this, she noticed that one of the trees had a door leading right into it. `That's very curious!' she thought. `But everything's curious today. I think I may as well go in at once.' And in she went.
Once more she found herself in the long hall, and close to the little glass table. `Now, I'll manage better this time,' she said to herself, and began by taking the little golden key, and unlocking the door that led into the garden. Then she went to work nibbling at the mushroom (she had kept a piece of it in her pocket) till she was about a foot high: then she walked down the little passage: and then--she found herself at last in the beautiful garden, among the bright flower-beds and the cool fountains.

Events for the rest of the year 2011

2011-06-24T03:45:00.000-07:00

Time really is flying by and no sooner have we planned an event, than it comes round. So, we thought we would be extra clever and very organised this year and make sure that our woodland calendar was full to the brim of fabulous events for all our woodland friends. We have so much fun planned, I can't even begin to desribe it...so instead I will let you have a little look at the calendar! Please remember that all events and playschemes that are taking place in the woods, will need booking in advance so that we can ensure that we have enough refreshments for everyone! If you would like to have a woodland birthday party, then please contact Louise directly. Woodland parties can be held all year long, come rain or shine. My 5 year old has decided that she is having a party in the woods for her birthday, in November...there is never a bad time to party, and that includes in the woods!

DAY	DATE / MONTH 2011	EVENT	COST
FRI/SAT	24^th and 25^th June	Learn how to build a Compost loo - course for adults	£40 per person or £20 per day pp
FRI	24-Jun	Crowcombe baby and toddler 10am-12
SAT	02-Jul	Woodland fair Blackdown Hills
FRI	08-Jul	Wild art 10am til 12noon	£12 per session / per child
SUN	31-Jul	Power of food. LFTL secret meadow
WED	03-Aug	National Play day Crowcombe GO WILD; 1100 – 1500hrs	Free (adults must accompany)
MON	08-Aug	PLAYSCHEME - Nature Detectives; 1000 – 1600hrs, over 8’s	£20 per day / per child
TUE	09-Aug	PLAYSCHEME - Bird Box making; 1000 – 1600hrs, over 8’s	£20 per day / per child
FRI	12-Aug	NIGHT PLAYSCHEME - WILD NIGHT OUT 6-10pm over 8’s	£15 per child
SUN	14-Aug	French Weir Fun Day	Free
MON	15-Aug	PLAYSCHEME – COOKING / MUD OVEN; 1000 – 1600hrs, over 8’s	£20 per day / per child
FRI	19-Aug	Wild ART 10-12noon for under 5’s	£12 per session
SAT	20-Aug	MAD HATTER PARTY	TBC
TUE	23-Aug	PLAYSCHEME - ROBIN HOOD	£20 per day / per child
WED	24-Aug	PLAYSCHEME - DEN BUILDING	£20 per day / per child
THU	25-Aug	PLAYSCHEME - WALK ON WILDSIDE	£20 per day / per child
MON	29-Aug	Quantock Show
SAT	03-Sep	FAMILY WILD NIGHT OUT/CAMP. Limited spaces	TBC
SAT	17-Sep	Talk like a Pirate Day 2-4pm	TBC
SUN	18-Sep	Power of wildlife LFTL secret meadow
TUE	25-Oct	Tree Planting FAMILY	Free
WED	26-Oct	PLAYSCHEME - AUTUMN ACORNS; 1000 – 1600hrs, over 8’s	£20 per day / per child
FRI	28-Oct	Under 5’s wildlife walk	TBC
SAT	29-Oct	FAMILY Autumn walk	TBC
SAT	03-Dec	TREE DRESSING FAMILY	TBC
SAT	10-Dec	BASKETRY/Christmas Gather	TBC
SUN	01-Jan	WINTER WALK FAMILY 11am from Crowcombe Park Gate

OPEN WOOD! For the Compost Loo Building Saturday 25th June 2011

2011-06-24T03:27:00.000-07:00

ITS THIS WEEKEND!!! ITS ON SATURDAY!!! 10am-4pm.
I can't believe how quickly this has come about! We are so excited about finally having a proper loo in the woods, that we are actually now having a celebratory day in the woods, during the time of the building! That means, food, refreshments, things to toast and cook on the fire, and an open house or wood, should I say. Bring food and drink and have a picnic with us! Bring friends, bring guitars, bring laughter and love! Let's welcome this compost loo, like no loo has ever been welcomed before! - can you tell I am getting a little over excited at the prospect of having a real loo in the woods?
If you would like a day in the woods, with no responsibility for building anything at all, but just standing around and making 'positive' comments about how well it is going, whilst drinking tea, and letting your children run wild, then please do come and join us!
Louise and I will both be there, as will the Mouse and the dogs. The loo is being built by the brilliant people at Learning from the Land. There will be plenty of exciting things to do as usual, for the children. And, As usual, the play will be led by them - what they would like to do we will do our very best to accomodate!
It will be so much fun! Do come and join us and bare witness to the erecting of the compost loo! What could be more fun than being a part of such an historic day!
Please let Louise know if you are coming - just give her a ring or send an email today before 4pm!
Louise Kennedy: 07775 941 353
louise@thewoodlandplaycentre.com

A very successful day at the sustainability show

2011-06-24T03:09:00.000-07:00

I am not sure I have ever been as tired as I was, coming home from the Sustainability Show last sunday! We had a brilliant day, which was jam packed and full of fun! We were so busy all day long, meeting new people and making woodland clay nymphs. I don't actually know what they are called as they started off very woodlandy and au natrel and then somehow merged with the Moulin Rouge look or a night in Vegas. We may have to consider an alternative name for these wonderful feathery clay creatures.

We also managed to get all the nuts we collected a few months back in the woods, sorted out into different piles so that we can get them sent off to the chief nutter. We had help from so many children to identify what sorts of animals that could have been nibbling away at the nuts, and hopefully we will find out when the chief nutter gets them, if we were right. We very much hope that the nibbled nuts that we found were nibbled by Dormice, as we would love to know if we have Dormice in the woods. This is what we were looking for:
Dormice like to eat hazelnuts and if you examine a hazelnut shell it is possible to tell for certain whether it has been eaten by a dormouse. Look at the picture of the hazelnuts on the left. Both have been eaten by Dormice. The characteristics are a neat smooth circular cut to the inside of the opening and tiny radiating teeth marks on the outside. Woodmice also like hazelnuts and eat them in a similar way but the inside of the cut shell is not smooth as woodmice gnaw across the cut. Squirrels just crack the nuts open with their powerful jaws.

So remember, a smooth circular cut with tiny radiating teeth marks is the sign of the Dormouse!

There is lots of information on the internet about Dormice and why they are so rare these days and why we should make sure we protect them. It is worth having a read. You can also adopt a Dormouse from the Somerset Wildlife Trust to help to protect them.

Anyway, I digress...any excuse to talk about Dormice really. The sustainability show was a great success in general. We met some wonderful people at the Sustainability Show and I very much hope that we will get to see them again soon at one of our woodland events, playschemes or family days over the summer and beyond. If you would like further information on any of the things that are happening in the woods, please feel free to contact us by email or phone.

WILD ART mornings for under 5's - 8th July, 19th Aug, 30th Sept

2011-06-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

Great news! The Woodland Play Centre has teamed up with the Creation Station in Taunton and will from July onwards be creating WILD ART mornings, one friday a month. This is a chance for mum's or dad's (or both) to come and spend the morning in the woods being creative with their children!
Ali from the Creation Station, and Louise from the Woodland Play Centre, of course - will spend the morning exploring the woods, finding woodland elements to use in making art, lighting fires and toasting marshmallows. There will be something for everyone to do! The things we will make will depend on the weather but could be anything from willow wands and fishing rods, to collages of things found when exploring the woodland.

WILD ART is a time for parents to get out of the house, away from the washing, ironing and cooking, and to connect and play with their children in a natural environment whilst letting their creative juices run wild!

WILD ART will take place whatever the weather, so it is important that everyone is dressed appropriately - please make sure you bring or wear waterproofs and although it is currently beautiful weather, we may still get some rain and it could turn a little colder (you never know!), so please make sure that you keep warm. Please make sure your children wear long sleeved tops for the woods and trousers in socks/wellies as there are lots of ticks around too!

WILD ART dates are: 8th July, 19th August and 30th September.
From 10am to 12noon.
There will be tea/coffee/biscuits/squash refreshments provided.
BRING A PICNIC LUNCH too and stay until 1pm to relax and chat!
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
ONLY £12 for a single session (Must book in advance).
SPECIAL OFFER!
£30 if you book all three at the same time (Must book in advance).
Please contact Louise for further details and to book your place.

Blackdown Hills Woodland Fair 2nd July 2011 - We'll be there too!!

2011-06-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

The woodland fair in the blackdown hills went really well last year and this year it promises to be even bigger and better and this year, the woodland play centre will be there all day as well and we are very much looking forward to it! We sincerely hope you will come and join us there as we really want to see you there and spend some time playing woodland with you! It would be great to catch up with you there and apart from the woodland play centre there will also be a million other brilliant woodland things going on, so it is defintely a good place to be on 2nd July!

THere will be a centre ring with activities and demonstrations all day together with the popular saw yard and machinery demos. Local food and a bar will be open all day selling food and drink produced in the area including cider, wood fired pizzas, fresh bread, locally sourced meat, apple juice, ice cream, tea & cakes. A larger "Forest school" area and woodland experience for children will give them the chance to get involved and learn new woodland skills. 100 exhibitors from small craft stalls to log cabins will be present, some demonstrating their woodland skills and others selling their wares. Demonstrations of tree surgery, tree climbing, chainsaw carving, horse logging, rack & band saws, log processors, bow making, hurdle making, basket and willow work, wood carving and furniture making, fire lighting, lathe and cleaving and lots more.

The Blackdown Forest School Cluster Group are organising a competition for under 16 year olds at this years Woodland Fair, called "Creating Woodland Creatures". For further info please check the blackdown hills website. http://www.woodbiz.co.uk/freepage.asp?ID=9

Free car parking £5 per person entry, under 16 free.
Open to the public 10am - 5pm.
Entrance will be at Wrangway TA21 9QF south west of Wellington just off the A38 two miles from Junction 26 M5
SIGNS ON ALL MAJOR ROADS
First Aid and good toilet facilities on site, but limited disabled access.

The Woodland Play Centre at the Sustainability Show!

2011-06-07T13:43:00.000-07:00

We are delighted to announce that we will be part of the Sustainability Show which will be going on at Queens College, Taunton on Sunday June 19th 2011 from 10am to 4pm.
The show, which looks like being an amazing event, will be opened by Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall.
There promises to be all sorts of exciting things going on, including an inspection of the brand new Nissan Leaf Electric Car, Abseiling, drinking cider, eating from the pizza oven, the chance to retake a ride in a traditional brewery dray pulled by heavy horses as well as the chance to learn how to keep bees. Hugh FW will also be doing a book signing, so bring your book if you have one!
The Woodland Play Centre will of course be there too and we can't wait to see you there!!
Do come along. Both entry and parking is completely free. This is truly an event not to be missed.

Marvellous magical May Half term playschemes

2011-05-20T06:19:00.000-07:00

May sees the advent of yet another school holiday and we LOVE the school holidays, as we get to play with you in the woods!
This is what we have put on for you and I hope you will come and join us in the:

MAY HALF TERM HOLIDAY PLAYSCHEMES
Bow and Arrow Making!

Robin of Sherwood...

This is always a special day, one that the children really love, and so do we! There is definitely something of the Robin Hood spirit running through us on a day like this!
Tuesday 31st May 2011
Only £20 for the day!

Hurdle Making and Weaving
What could be better than to learn these great skills and have fun working with each other, outdoors, all day!
Wednesday 1st June 2011
Only £20 for the day!

Never too young to build a den

Den and Shelter Building
Doesn't everyone love a bit of den building? Don't we all need a shelter once in a while to sit in and keep us safe and warm? Now you can come and learn how to do that, and take all those skills home with you to make dens and shelters in your own back yard.
Thursday 2nd June 2011
Only £20 for the day!

All week there will be flexibility to change and follow the children's interests and what they too would like to do. We can den build, cook on the campfire, hunt for bugs and nuts, learn survival skills, weave, make bows and arrowns and play endless games of capture the flag, foxes and hounds! All our play is spontaneous and child led, which means we have lots of fun and go wherever the play takes us!

Costs are: £20 per day, per child.
Early bird drop off and Night owl pick up options are available as usual, each at £5.00 per child.
Please contact Louise on 07775 941353 or louise@woodlandplaycentre.co.uk to BOOK!!! Yeay!! Come and Play! Playschemes are for children over the age of 8.

Play Misty for me...

2011-05-20T04:38:00.000-07:00

The Elderflowers are already out! Don't miss the season!

2011-05-04T02:24:00.000-07:00

Hello all woodlanders! I thought you might all like some elderflower recipes since the elders are flowering beautifully at the moment. Traditionally, you should pick the flowers on a sunny day before midday, and preferably on midsummer's day - however, it seems that our season is a wee bit early this year, so I would get picking as soon as you can see the flowers.

Here is a cordial recipe for you - remember, if you don't like your cordial too sweet, you can add lemons and lemons and more lemons. Also - you can use Xylitol which is a natural sugar substitute, if you don't want the bad teeth and calories that sugar give you!

Enjoy!
This is what you will need... I am sure most of you will be able to think of great alternatives to all this paraphenalia, but it is all listed, in case you want to do it properly.

•35 fresh elder flower heads – always pick the sweet smelling ones (which tend to be a bit buttery in colour and which do not drop petals when shaken)
•2 oranges, rough sliced
•2 lemons, also rough sliced
•2oz tartaric or citric acid – we prefer citric which makes for a more lemony taste, but some of our friends like tartaric. You can buy either from a shop that sells winemaking stuff and you can get citric acid from your local chemist.
•3 pints boiling water
•3lb granulated sugar,
•1 Camden tablet per gallon of cordial (winemakers also use these, they kill the natural yeasts on the elder flowers and allow you to store the cordial for years without it going fizzy).
•Large plastic containers, big enough to hold your batch of cordial.
•Glass or food grade plastic bottles with airtight caps.
•A Siphon tube.
•J-cloths or wine filtering fabric.
•A large sieve

Here is what you do!
•Boil the water and dissolve the sugar in it. Allow it to cool properly.
•Add the orange and lemon slices to the cool sugar water.
•Stir in and make sure the tartaric or citric acid is dissolved.
•Add the elder flower heads.
•Cover it up with a lid or cloth (we like to use a 5 gallon (25 litre) home winemaking plastic barrels) and leave it for 48-72 hours.
•Strain the mixture and leave for another 48 hours.
•We then siphon it all to another container, leaving the sediment/dregs behind and then we add 1 crushed Camden tablet per gallon of cordial.
•Shake well, and then leave for 3-4 hours to settle.
•Bottle, leaving behind any more dregs.
•If you don’t want to use two large containers, then you will need to add a crushed Camden tablet at the rate of 1 per gallon (1/2 a tablet to a 4 pint milk container for example) and carefully siphon directly into that. Shake the bottle well after you have filled it and do the top up tightly. Shake it again an hour or two later to make sure the tablet has dissolved. It will then keep for ages – as in years.
Always use sterilised bottles:
•Microwave – 2-3 minutes should kill anything.
•Oven - put glass bottles into your cold oven. Run it up to about 140C, keep it there for 10-15 minutes and then leave it to cool.
•You can also use Milton or just boiling hot water

I have to say - I have never used a camden tablet and I have never siphoned anything (other than wine...but that is for another blog!)... but these directions are good. If you have a dishwasher you can sterilise your bottles in there.

For those of you who might like to make some elderflower champagne there is a great recipe below. Do not be tempted to use more elderflower heads than stated. I did this last year, and it meant that I over yeasted it and there were not enough bubbles. Also - DON'T put it in anything but plastic bottles... the glass ones will explode!

Elderflower champagne

4 large heads of elder flowers (pick on dry sunny day, but do not wash)
juice & rind of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons white vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
1.5 lbs granulated sugar
9 pints water

1. Place all ingredients in large container
2. Stir to dissolve sugar
3. Cover with cloth & leave 24 hours
4. Strain & pour into plastic sterile screw top bottles (don't use glass bottles)
5. Screw tops on tightly & leave somewhere warmish, so fizz/alcohol can develop
6. Release gases when plastic bottles bulge/topple
7. Drink from 3 weeks onwards

Remember - you can do all sorts of things with elderflower cordial and champagne once you have made it - cakes and icecreams are the first that spring to mind and you can always decorate with a sprig of elderflower! My favourite is elderflower and lemon drizzle cake...I am seriously hoping Trish Kennedy will be reading this for inspiration on the next delightful lemon drizzle cake she will make for the woodland adventures!

Don't forget that we have the compost loo course coming up for only £40 for two days on 21st and 22nd May - there are a few places left. And, there are play schemes in May that will soon be booked up! So if you want to secure your place, make sure you email louise@woodlandplaycentre.co.uk to secure your booking.

Easter Egg and Nut hunt, sausage eating and Storytelling!

2011-04-21T16:09:00.000-07:00

Making the fire!

A beautifully finished crown

What an amazing day today in the woods! We had so much fun and such variety! it was a jam packed day and it seemed that no one sat down for even a minute - apart from when needing to roast sausages or make crowns and masks. Lots of families came down to the Easter egg and nut hunt which started at 11am. The weather was glorious and it held out all day!

Easter bunny!

Earwig on crown...can you spot it

We started the day making Easter Crowns in the bell tent. It was incredibly hot in there so we didn't last long! There were many different kinds of crowns - Jack made a Ninja band and Megan made a beautiful simple crown with moss and Mathilde stuck a dead earwig on hers! We then went to make a fire! Many of the children had done this before and yet they all really enjoyed trying it again and getting involved. They counted how long it would take them each to light it with a flint and some did it straight away and others took a lot longer! After making the crowns we went and got ready to do the Easter egg hunt, which took us all the way to lunch time. We went everywhere in the woods and the children left no stone unturned as they looked for eggs, for chicks and for yellow markers to tell them where the Easter bunny had been and where he might be found! Sounds of squeeling and delight could be heard throughout the woods every time a chick was found and an egg or two uncovered.

storytelling!

Beautiful mentoring in process!

All the children were very careful of the bluebells as well and treated them with utmost respect. They completely understood the need for leaving the bluebells protected as much as possible and were absolutely brilliant in avoiding the fenced off areas. The Easter Egg hunt went in and out of the Rhodes and at times we ended up on our knees crawling through them - well, the adults did! At the end we even found the Easter bunny hiding in the thicket with a huge basket of eggs for all the children and adults too.

Story telling!!

Sausages!

We went back to camp to check out our goodies. Some people had eggs and chicks, others had found rabbit fur and stag beatles! There was a little something for everyone, and there were what seemed like hundreds of sausages for everyone as well.

We all ate sausages and wonderful lemon drizzle cake (THANK YOU Trish, what would we do without you) and there were also some very beautifully made chocolate cornflake cakes with gorgeous little easter libunnies and easter eggs on. There were children of all ages and even then littlelest ones really enjoyed themselves!

Nuts for the Nutter!

Dinosaur head!

After lunch there was another hunt to go on, but this time it was nut hunt! It was all about finding nuts lito identify what sort of mice might be nibbling them! There was some seriously brilliant nut nibbling identification and collecting going on. We didn't find any mice, but there were plenty of holes they could have been hiding in. We did however a find a dinosaur and it was very growly and made lots of noise! Mathilde fell in love with it and did not want to leave it at the end of the day, but we did persuade her in the end!

We also found spiders, wood lice, worms and a really wonderful snail that came out of its shell to say hello. There were also plenty of ticks to be found and we are hoping that we have all avoided them attaching to us!

Only time will tell!

Mr Snail!

After the great nut hunt we went and sat in the silver birch clearing towards the edge of the wood where the sun was beaming down on us. We were so lucky to have Clare Viner with us who tells the most wonderful stories and she sat with us and painted wonderful pictures with words as she told the story of the grandmother spider who brought fire to humans, and after, the story of Bethusta the young girl who dances with the the white lady of the silver birch woods whilst she ought to be spinning wool for the market instead. The children were really enthralled and got involved in the stories as they were being told. Spinning around and around in the clearing until they were dizzy, singing the song she sang as she spun or raising their hands and flying like an eagle. It was brilliant to watch and to take part in and we hope that Clare will come and do some more stories in the woods soon.

Wood nymph!

After a very exciting day we finished around 3.30pm. The sun was still shining, the cakes had pretty much been eaten and there were only a few sausages left. The dogs were at home so there was no one to steal the sausages.

Nut hunting!

It was an absolutely fantastic day. It was so much fun! I loved being able to take pictures, and hope that I have been able to capture some of the gorgeous moments that we all shared. If any of the families that were there would like copies of the pictures, please email me on cdithmar@btconnect.com and I will share a link with you on Picasa.

Thank you so much to everyone who came!

Roots and Boots....a very successful day!

2011-04-20T03:48:00.000-07:00

This is what it looked like before the Roots and Boots guys got stuck in....they worked their socks off literally all day, that is the adults....the children...well we didn't see much of them, they had their own fire! Not sure why as ours reached over 6 foot at one point!!


The heap on the left was the pile we	attacked with saws and loppers!

It was a hot fire!!

Light was at the end of the tunnel on the massive pile, we had climed the mountain and found day light the other side...it took all day!

Reflecting at the end of the day...we kept saying that was it, no more cutting and putting on the fire, but we ALL kept finding annoying bits to cut and pop on the fire! I was there hours after everyone left until dark keeping an eye on the burning fire. A brilliantly successful day & THANK YOU to those that turned up with clean nice clothes & sorry you went home with holes in tops, hats and burnt hair!

Rowan peaking out

2011-04-17T01:08:00.000-07:00

The first signs of the hedgerow plants are actually growing!

Well done to everyone who helped us to plant them! THANK YOU!!

HO HO Holiday Playscheme fun!

2011-04-17T00:40:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to post these photos of the wild girls on their holiday playscheme last week - there was some serious rhodo bashing and some rather excellent camouflage face painting going on...

There was also some great chocolate orange cake making and sausage eating going on, and even Roo managed to get hold of some sausages too...

They had a fabulous time, and even Louise had her facepainted - one of the girls gave her a black eye! I think even Roo had something on, as her hair was a little bit pink on the top of her head!

Brilliant day - loads of fun - the Wild Girls definetely ruled!!!

Bluebell Poetry Competition - Closing Date for entries 15th May 2011

2011-04-14T04:41:00.000-07:00

If you would like to enter this competition and write a poem about bluebells please send it in to Louise@woodlandplaycentre.com by 15th May 2011.
The one we love the most (from each age range) will be published on the blog and there may also be other prizes!
There are two age ranges, under 18's and over 18's. So, all you parents out there and aspiring poets, please send your poems in too!

The poem can be as long or short as you like
It has to be about a bluebell or bluebells

That's it!
Get writing!

A little Bluebell info:

Bluebell - Latin Name - Agraphis nutans - Non Scripta
The old name was actually Agraphis nutans, the first part "Agraphis" meant "unmarked - or not written on" - which really is the same as the more modern version of the name that was used "Non Scriptus" - really alluding to the clear blue colour - with no markings on - unlike the traditional hyacinth. The second part of the name "Nutans" - means "nodding,"a reference to the dangling flowers. Sometimes infact the plant is called Nodding Squill
Bluebell - Latin Name Endymion - Greek Myth
In Greek mythology there was a young man called "Endymion" who chose to sleep forever and never aged.. Some versions of the myth say that Endymion was visited by a moon goddess Selene, who fell in love with him and every month she visited the cave where he slept, she shirked here duties as a moon goddess, (guiding the moon through the heavens) this accounts for the phases of the moon. Some writers suggest that bluebells help to promote a dreamless sleep - like that of Endymion's sleep
Celtic Times - Bluebells
Celtic legend has it that the bluebell was known as a fairy flower which was dangerous. There are tales of Celtic heroes, Merlin and King Arthur, who are still sleeping somewhere in a cave - they are supposed to be lying in wait to wake up when Britain needs them.
Other Names
Also known as Bell Bottle, Blue Bonnets and Ring o’Bells.
Symbol of Botanical Society
These tiny flowers are the symbol of the Botanical Society of the British Isles.
The Law
In Britain it is illegal, under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, to sell plants of H. non-scripta; and it is illegal to dig up any plant in the wild without the permission of the landowner.
From: http://www.virtualheb.co.uk/bluebell-wildflowers-western-isles.html

The Bluebell, by Anne Bronte

2011-04-14T04:34:00.000-07:00

I really love this poem - even if it is not a very happy one about bluebells...

Bluebell, The
by Anne Brontë
A fine and subtle spirit dwells
In every little flower,
Each one its own sweet feeling breathes
With more or less of power.
There is a silent eloquence
In every wild bluebell
That fills my softened heart with bliss
That words could never tell.

Yet I recall not long ago
A bright and sunny day,
'Twas when I led a toilsome life
So many leagues away;

That day along a sunny road
All carelessly I strayed,
Between two banks where smiling flowers
Their varied hues displayed.

Before me rose a lofty hill,
Behind me lay the sea,
My heart was not so heavy then
As it was wont to be.

Less harassed than at other times
I saw the scene was fair,
And spoke and laughed to those around,
As if I knew no care.

But when I looked upon the bank
My wandering glances fell
Upon a little trembling flower,
A single sweet bluebell.

Whence came that rising in my throat,
That dimness in my eye?
Why did those burning drops distil --
Those bitter feelings rise?

O, that lone flower recalled to me
My happy childhood's hours
When bluebells seemed like fairy gifts
A prize among the flowers,

Those sunny days of merriment
When heart and soul were free,
And when I dwelt with kindred hearts
That loved and cared for me.

I had not then mid heartless crowds
To spend a thankless life
In seeking after others' weal
With anxious toil and strife.

'Sad wanderer, weep those blissful times
That never may return!'
The lovely floweret seemed to say,
And thus it made me mourn.

Easter Play Schemes and events

2011-04-14T04:20:00.000-07:00


Bluebells by Peter J Hosey - Wildflower photography http://www.peterjhosey.com

We are having so much fun in the woods at the moment and the whole of the easter holidays has been spent creating and playing, all in the woodland. We have now cleared a wide track going down into the clearing so that we can get all the important things into the clearing for our play! These include water and food of course, for where would we be without the sausages? We have also made a lovely entrance to the woods so that someone's Land Rover no longer gets stuck in the mud! It also means that cars can come in and turn around without getting lost there forever.
We have also been fortunate to start to see the carpet of bluebells being laid by some very nifty nymphs and fairies and there is every chance that they will be out by Easter sunday. There may well be some for the easter egg hunt too on 21st April which will make the woods look even more beautiful than they do already.
We heard on the radio yesterday that if you trample on bluebells when they are in foliage they will not continue to grow in the same place next year. So that means that we are going to have to start to be a little careful about where we walk when we are in the woods. It is a bit difficult as there are bluebells every where, but we will have to leave at least a few places untouched so that each year we can continue to enjoy them.
The playschemes for the Easter holidays have been going really well. Today was a girls only day. It was not intentional but that is just how it worked out, so we are having some serious Woodland Girl Power going on and a myriad of things are being achieved, fires are being lit, sausages cooked, a new rope swing is in place and so far the weather has held out too.
We still have a few places left on the play scheme tomorrow and Wednesday 20th April if anyone wants to make a late booking. On 18th April we have the ROOTS AND BOOTS family day which will be great fun! We are going to get loads of the rhodedendron cleared which will be great! Don't forget the EASTER EGG AND THE GREAT NUT HUNT on 21st April either! This too is a family day so bring everyone you know and your mum's and dad's and sisters and brothers. Children must be accompanied by an adult. If you would like to come to any of these events please just let us know that you intend to come, so that we can make sure that the chickens have laid enough eggs and the rabbits too have been doing their job. We would hate for there not to be enough for everyone that would like to come. Contact Louise on info@woodlandplaycentre.com just to let her know.
We hope to see you sometime over Easter, but if not, please have a wonderful and wild woodland Easter anyway!
Wild Wishes!!

A successful tree planting day!

2011-03-27T14:13:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful day on saturday in the woods. We had all those lovely trees to plant and had lots of families come and join us and help make it a really fun and woodland frolic day! The day started at around 11am when everyone started to arrive. The first thing we did was light the fire, which all the children helped to do. Lighting the fire is obviously the most important thing as it is our only way to have to have hot drinks - it is all about getting our priorities straight! It is also important as a focal point and a place where we gather and keep returning to.

Quite a few of the families that came to the woods had not been for a long time and it was lovely to hear them comment on how amazing it looks now that the path has made cleared and that you can walk on the ground without trampling through a jungle of ferns and bracken.
After lighting the fire, we started to plant the trees. We began with the beautiful silver birches. We put in 9 of them, into a cirle clearing. Each tree is to represent a child with a special relationship to the Woodland Play Centre and it was very special to see the children plant a tree each. The circle as it grows, will represent the circle of life, of children, of growth and hope that other people's children will be able to use and enjoy this magical place as much as these children already have. We can't wait to see the trees grow, and also hope that the children that have planted them will return to this space as they grow older. Maybe one day they will bring their own children to see the tree they planted. You never know.

We also planted hedgerows of haws and hollies and elders, as well as Cherry trees and Rowan's. One day the splashes of color on these trees will create a wonderful frame along the edge of the clearing near the sloes. It will be a feast for the eyes as well as the tummy once these trees grow!

The children did a great job of helping to plant the trees, and then spent the rest of the afternoon eating a picnic, playing in the trees, swinging in the hammock and doing a very detailed bug hunt and tree and flower identification excercises. This was such a lovely part of the day as everyone joined in and we all walked around the wood together, talking and enjoying each other's company.

There was so much energy and so much fun being had by children (and adults) of all different ages joining in with each other. We also ate marshmallows and made popcorn on the fire, not to mention the beautiful lemon drizzle cake (THANK YOU Trish!) and fabulous flapjack and fairy cakes that we consumed all day long.

We ended the day with a bit of West Country Welly Wanging and James (one of the dads) won hands down - there was no disputing it when the welly went so far that no one could see it!

It was a lovely day and the rain held out until well into the afternoon when everyone had gone and the birds that seemed to have gone AWOL around 11am, all came back and were singing to their hearts content.

Thank you to everyone who came! Thank you also for the donations to the woodland trust - it is great to be able to put something back after all the great trees they sent us.
xx

Give it some welly for woodland! Tree planting to raise money for The Woodland Trust!

2011-03-04T06:40:00.000-08:00

26th March
11am to 2pm

We have been given some wonderful trees from The Woodland Trust, and we wanted to make it a special day that these trees could be planted in the woods. We also wanted to do something for the Woodland Trust in return and since it is their Give it some welly for woodland day on 5 March, we thought we could do something in conjunction with this day, albeit a little later on in the month. The reason we have to do it later is that the trees are not being delivered until next week.

We will be planting the following trees:
10 Birch
10 Cherry
10 Rowan
8 Hawthorn
2 Hazel
2 Elders
6 Holly
2 Dogrose
10 Dogwood
Do bring a packed lunch and we will provide refreshements such as tea and coffee and cake, for a donation. All proceeds will go to the Woodland Trust.

The Woodland Trust give this indication of where your money goes and what it can achieve:
£10 will buy 4 trees
£33 will protect half an acre of existing woodland
£50 will provide packs of trees for schools

Please come along and help us to plant these trees and donate whatever you can afford back to the Woodland Trust.

You may also like to bring old wellies so we can make a well tree or perhaps you would like to get people to sponsor you wearing their wellies for the day! The Woodland Trust Website has lots of great ideas about all the things you can do!

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/more-trees-more-good/give-it-some-welly/

You might also like to look into the Woodland Trust Website for Kids which has a lot of things you can download.

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/learning-kids/Pages/children.aspx

Come and enjoy a day in the woods - there may even be lemon drizzle cake!!!

February half term was Woodland Play Scheme half term!

2011-03-04T06:17:00.000-08:00

What an exciting week that was! The holiday playscheme was in full swing on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Over the course of the week we had nearly 30 children attend, which we are really pleased about. The playscheme is organised for the holidays so that parents who need to go to work during the school holidays, can leave their children to play in the woods all day, and pick them up later when they are happily exhausted from a day in the beautiful outdoors.
The woodland is so beautiful at the moment. The buds are just coming oute on the trees and the ferns and the snowdrops have replaced the snow with their eagerness to come out and tell us that spring is just around the corner. February half term is always one of our favourite times of the year to play in the woods because of the air of expectancy that accompanies the woodland, encouraging you to look forward to warmer days with more sunshine.
The Playscheme is always great fun as some children only come for a day and others for the full three days. Many children are old hats at playing in the woods and others come for the first time. It is always interesting to see the camaraderie and interaction, and mentoring that goes on between the children. Its always fabulous to see the team work too! The Tuesday was a fun day because it was Kanga's (Aka Kangaroo, Roo) birthday, so she went with Louise to the woodland, alongside Meg and Woody. The dogs and the children had a great time, but one little dog in particular enjoyed it more than the others. Someone had left the pan off the sausage pan lid and when Louise came to check on the sausages she found Meg, in the pan, with the remainders of the sausages! It seems that little meg who is a Jack Russel had managed to eat her way through 9 sausages! How she was still in the pan, we don't know, but she had celebrated Roo's birthday in true Meg style. The dogs came back on the Wednesday by popular request from all the children, and spent the day running around and looking in rabbit holes. This time we kept the sausages under lock and key.
The tuesday was a very eventful day in itself. Louise managed to get the Land Rover and the Trailer stuck in the mud and actually had to have someone come and tow it out! She was not best pleased and is now looking into ways of making sure the ground can be driven on, just at the entrance, even if the weather is wet and muddy as it has been this half term.
On the wednesday there were lots of children and we spent the day exploring, playing and making a bow and arrow. It was the best bow and arrow Lou had ever been part of making, she said when she returned. There can be little doubt about that, when the wood came from her own woodland!
It was intended that Thursday should be spent hurdle weaving. For some reason we didnt get around to that, but the children had a brilliant time putting up the hammock, playing on the rope swings, and they even volunteered to help clear the rhodedendrums, so that we had a huge and warming bonfire. We had more sausages and more marshmallows, and lots and lots of fun!

EASTER HOLIDAY PLAYSCHEME
Dont forget that we will have another playscheme available for the easter holidays and of course for May half term. Bookings are currently being taken for 11th april through to the 15th April, and there will be single events being run on 18th, 20th and 21st April for families. Content is yet to be decided and will be published in the April blog.

Fun and frolics in a wet and windy woodland for Oliver's party

2011-03-04T05:50:00.000-08:00

Monday of half term was possibly the wettest, most muddy monday in the history of woodland play. That may be a slight over exageration, but to say that it simply rained does not do it justice. the rain came pelting down and the mud got thicker and squidgier and muddier than we ever expected. Did it put us off though? No! We had a party full of woodland adventure, den building, firelighting and nature exploration. There were 21 children all between 6 and 7 years old, who brought with them 4 very brave and woodland warrior adults. We built dens and water tested them to make sure they were totally water proof. This, as you can imagine, was not a difficult test to do! We lit the fire and for lunch we had our lovely woodland sausages and didnt for one moment forget to have our toasted marshmallows either. It was a fantastically busy day and by all accouts, Oliver and his friends had a wonderful time (and so did we)!

Archie's Party!

2011-03-04T05:22:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we had the first birthday party in Weez's Woods and the snow drops were out just in time, making it look very beautiful. It was Archie's birthday! It was an auspicious day as Archie was the first of our woodland parties ever, so it was lovely that he should also be the first person to have a birthday party in the very new woodland. Archie brought lots of friends as well as his 4 year old sister who spent most of the day sitting in a tree and being an Oak Fairy.
We had a fabulous day! It was so much fun spending the day building dens and shelters, learning fire lighting, and having lunch by the fire. Some people built dens together and others did them on their own. We did lots of exploring and one of the most exciting things happened! The children saw a Roe deer hiding in the bushes!
We had sausages for lunch and later we toasted marshdmallows.
It was a great day - a really lovely birthday party!