As you probably know, we held a competition to find a name for our forest school area. We had some brilliant suggestions but, after a lot of deliberation, decided on the name Parsons Wood. The reason we named it this is to honour David Parsons, a man who has been part of the woodland since before its inception.

When we first came together to do something about the woodland, we were six interested locals and David Parsons, who is a professional forester and was also the agent for the previous owner. David was happy to become a director and it was he who found us an organisation which was willing to give us a grant to carry out the work we felt needed to be done, made valuable suggestions as to what was feasible and then had the contacts and know how to actually get the work done. In short, without him, the woodland would be nowhere near the healthy state it is in today.

Two incidents demonstrate the measure of the man. Initially, we were given £2000 to produce a management plan. David with all his experience was the obvious choice to do it so he provided a template which we use to this day. His fee, a fairly derisory one for the work entailed, he donated back to the woodland, despite this being his profession. Secondly, when the felling of the larch precluded its use by the enterprise, he kindly donated a large amount of timber from his own woodland for the enterprise to use as they saw fit.

So we are pleased and proud to name our forest school area Parsons Wood and hope you agree this is a good idea.

After last year’s successful open day, we have planned another that’s bigger and better. There will be pony rides, children’s activities, craft fayre, refreshments, woodland walks, cider making demonstration, music and Morris dancing and demonstrations of woodland skills such as pole lathe, wood turning, tree felling, horse logging, chainsaw sculpture.

As before there will be free parking on site but, remembering that last year this filled up pretty quickly, we do advise those who can walk up to do so or to park in the Mountain Air car park.

There will also be a special event for members the night before so, if you’re thinking of becoming a member, there is no better time than now.

This Sunday, 13th July, we are holding a bracken bash. Quite apart from making walking difficult, bracken also chokes wild flowers and can knock down young saplings so it’s an important job. the beauty of bracken bashing is that you do not need any skill to do it – just a stick and the ability to hit things.

Afterwards we are holding a barbecue for those who want to stay, having worked up an appetite smacking bracken.

We are meeting at the log circle at 10.00 am but feel free to join us any time between then and 1.00pm when we will be having the barbecue.

These are what Gwent Ornithological Trust saw on their walk on Sunday.
Mallard, Goshawk, Buzzard, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Cuckoo, Swift, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Crow, Raven, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch.  That’s 38 species, not including the one I saw which could have been a sparrowhawk, according to them.

Butterflies included: Peacock, Green Hairstreak, Small White, Tortoiseshell and Small Skipper.

Also noted were Carder Bee and Cuckoo Bee.

It’s noticeable the species number grows every year so we must be doing something right. Our thanks to them for their efforts.