It looks like this year we could have around 80 competitors which is a new record!! Please do pass this on to anyone who may be interested. Entry is £2 per car and all the information, including map, is on the website at www.bhha.info
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Blackdown Hills Hedgelaying Competition!
If you'd like a really good country day out, come along the Blackdown Hills annual hedgelaying competition on the 10th March. This year it is at Lower Shelvin farm near Honiton - it has to move around each year. As well as some of the finest hedgelaying in the South West, there will be the guys from Devon Rural Skills Trust doing some demos, Ivor Hancock making a stick chair, Jenny Knight with her willow creatures and lots of other interesting local stalls. Entertainment from a story teller called Mr Pig on at various times from 10.30 to 1.30pm, The Taunton Ukele Orchestra will play and the famous Smeatharpe WI will keep you fed and watered.
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Alluring adventures.....
Hello fellow woodlanders, here is the latest news on what has happened and what is happening!
WOODLAND NEWS
I hope you all managed to get to play in the snow...somewhere....somehow in the last week. Sadly, it is all but gone here. I know it makes it hard work for some people but it felt good to have some seasonal weather at last! I was very excited at the weekend, as we hosted our first Woodland Party in the woods....in the snow for 17 very excited 5-7 year olds! I think any plan other than playing in the snow went out the window, we had a cosy fire under the shelter and the children were well kitted out in warm, wet weather gear! It was an excellent afternoon & wonderful to play in snow....but where did I leave my camera...at home...doh!
You may notice next time you come to the woods that a lot of planting has taken place on the boundary and in the woodland. We have planted some sweet chestnuts, wild cherry and oaks in the woodland itself, but we are focusing on creating a hedge that runs around the boundary of the woodland now. This not only, in years to come will provide vital habitats for threatened wildlife; it also creates a good boundary to the woodland. An amazing local man, Dave, is doing a marvellous job planting lots of beech, holly, ash, hazel and blackthorn, as well as even clearing the rhododendron as he goes. I am learning a lot from Dave and we hope when the hedge has grown that we will be able to lay it traditionally.
We were successful again this year with some trees from the Woodland Trust, so have two tree planting days coming up - see below for the forthcoming dates.
It was brought to my attention recently that the calendar on the woodland website does not appear, so I am looking into that for you and apologies for any inconvenience caused. Please in the meantime keep an eye here on the blog and facebook page.
There are a number of events coming up, with many more in the pipeline. This week we have the Exmoor Home Education group coming to visit us and very much looking forward to that. At the weekend a Brownie pack from Taunton are coming on the West Somerset Railway to plant some trees, which we are really looking forward to as well.
We can cater for your individual needs, whether a family, school, uniformed group or business. We are continuing to build links with other organisations and partners in order to offer a wider range of services. The woodland can be used for an event you are hosting and don't forget about the WOODLAND PARTIES! Plus our sister company Active Escape in North Devon that can host a package of surfing, coasteering and overnight accommodation all based at Baggy Lodge, Croyde.
Next week is half term and is usually the start of the Woodland Playschemes, however, I am really sorry but we are unable to run any days next week due to another booking. I am heading to Scotland to deliver some workshops on Outdoor Play for a group of Early Years workers and Childminders. It therefore sadly does not leave enough days in the week to be able to run the playscheme here in Somerset too....what I need is a qualified Playworker with skills of working outdoors to come and work with me......I wonder if anyone is out there!!
I hope that you find some of the dates below alluring and you are able to come along to some woodland events. As you maybe aware WOODLAND EXPLORERS COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY was set up at the beginning of this year. I am all too aware of the current financial struggles many people are faced with and I continue to do my upmost of keeping the costs to a minimum. The projects we run are not for profit and any surplus that is made, is put back into the business in order to help develop projects, invest in new resources and helps to keep the prices as low as possible....hence the Woodland Playscheme costs have not gone up once in the last 11 years since they started!
Below you will find some dates for some family days in the woods over the next few months as well as the dates for the Woodland Playschemes for the Easter and May half term holidays.
WOODLAND EVENTS
Tree Planting (families) – Sunday 18th March – 1000 – 1200hrs - Donations to the Woodland Trust
Woodland Playscheme – Wednesday 4th April – 1000 – 1600hrs- £20 per child
Woodland Playscheme – Thursday 5th April – 1000 – 1600hrs- £20 per child
Easter Nut Hunt (families) – Friday 6th April – 1000 – 1500hrs- £5.00 per child / £3 per adult
Roots & Boots (families) – Tuesday 10th April – 1000 – 1600hrs -Free
Woodland Playscheme – Thursday 12th April – 1000 – 1600hrs- £20 per child
Woodland Playscheme – Friday 13th April 1000 – 1600hrs - £20 per child
Woodland Playscheme – Wednesday 6th June – 1000 – 1600hrs- £20 per child
Woodland Playscheme – Thursday 7th June – 1000 – 1600hrs- £20 per child
Diamond Hatters Tea party (families) – Friday 8th June – 1400 – 1700hrs - £5.00 per child / £3 per adult
National Playday Event – Friday 3rd August – 1100 – 1500hrs -Free
Woodland Playschemes – throughout August with some Wild Camps!
Woodland Playschemes – October half term
There is more happening & in the pipeline so keep an eye on the Blog as well!
Contact Louise 07775 941353 for booking details and information
Playful wishes Louise ;)
Monday, 16 January 2012
Tremendous Trees!
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 ;)
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 ;)
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
The New Year....and what a day!!
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
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
Saturday, 31 December 2011
New Years Day walk
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
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
Monday, 19 December 2011
Somerset County Council Woodland Sell off
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?
It appears they may try to slip this in before Christmas, as the deadline for getting your opinion registered is FRIDAY 23RD DECEMBER 2011
Anyone wanting to raise this issue with their local council representative can find them here
The Quantock Eco group have objected to the proposal and information can be found on the following link
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
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Festive day in the woods
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
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
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