Come and join us for a chat and a cuppa from 17th July to 28th August

On Saturday 9th July we are holding a spoon carving course up at the log circle area in Blaen Bran, starting at 10am and finishing at 2pm.

There is a maximum  of 10 places available, and initially, places on the course are on offer to members of BBCW only, but if any vacancies remain, closer to the event, these will be made available to non-members.

There is a charge of £10 per person, which is really cheap for such a course, and you get to take your own spoon home with you!

There is a minimum age for attendees of 13 years. Also, anyone under 16  must be accompanied by an adult.

Steve, our volunteer co-ordinator, who is an experienced spoon carver himself, will deliver the training and provide all of the materials and tools required. You will use a straight bladed knife and also a curved hook knife. You’ll learn a range of cuts with these knives which will enable you to use such carving tools efficiently and safely.

Join us for a creative craft training course set in our fantastic community woodland.

Advisable to bring a pack lunch but teas and coffees will be provided

Please be aware that very sharp knives will be used during this training course!!

Anyone interested in joining us to learn a new skill, please apply by email to –  “enquiries@blaenbran.wales”

Our annual general meeting will be held this year on Saturday 4th June at 12.30 PM in the log circle in the woodland. We have a canopy that be put over it in case of adverse weather. We intend to hold a bracken bashing session from 10.00 am followed by the AGM. It is expected this will last no more than 45 minutes.

The documents necessary have been sent to members by email. if you are a member and haven’t received them, please email enquiries@blaenbran.wales and I will get them to you.

A reminder that we are looking for volunteers (new and old) to join us this Sunday morning. Meeting at the log circle at 10.00am.

Virtually all the roads for Sunday are closed off due to that Velothon thing, so why not try helping a local charity owned community woodland out as a family day out. Come up and see what Blaen Bran has to offer – especially if you’ve not been there before! You are allowed to bring picnics with you and we have the resources to make a woodland coffee or two!

Families are welcome – there are many tasks that can be done by young and old and we love teaching woodland management skills to everyone!! We wont be able to fulfill the 900 year lease with our current committee so we need some young people appreciating the community woodland now and show them the work that goes into maintaining it so they can help when they’re older. When the current volunteers are on mobility scooters in 10 years the woodland might disappear forever and become a housing estate because we haven’t maintained the land to the required standard on our lease…

We love all volunteers, even those who can only help us for 10 minutes whilst walking your dog, as it allows our more committed volunteers who may have been helping for hours to have a break!

Please wear appropriate footwear (boots or wellies), sensible clothing and keep an eye on the weather forecast. Any safety equipment, such as gloves and safety glasses, will be provided depending on the tasks you are doing.

Children will have to be accompanied by an appropriate adult.

There is work going on at Mineslope Cottages, which are halfway up the hill from the main car park. There may be heavy vehicles crossing from the entrance by the chapel so do take care, especially if you have children or dogs with you.

A reminder that we are looking for volunteers (new and old) to join us this Sunday morning. Meeting at the log circle at 10.00am.

The plan for Sunday is to use the chipper machine to munch some of the piles of brash from the felled area. The wood chip will then be used for paths in Parsons Wood, our forest school area. Also, we may well be making a start on cutting back the bramble (we’ll provide secateurs) and there may be some trees to plant.

Hopefully we’ll have a good crowd there this week. Please wear appropriate footwear (boots or wellies), sensible clothing and keep an eye on the weather forecast. Children will have to be accompanied by an appropriate adult.

The next occurrence of our ever popular history walk, exploring the evidence of coal mining in the woodland, will take place on Saturday 9th April, meeting in the car park at 10.00 am.

This walk will be repeated on Sunday 10th April for those who are unable to be there on the Saturday.

Be sure to dress appropriately, children and dogs welcome but will need to be accompanied by an appropriate adult. The walk is expected to last no more than 2 hours.

This event is open to all.

Despite stormy weather over the Easter week-end, we were able to enjoy a dry bank holiday afternoon of camp fires, toasted marshmallows, bread making on sticks, woodland quiz, bonnet making and craft work too. Plenty of chocolate prizes ensured that no youngster went home without at least one egg (some managed two or three – no names!!)

The new roundhouse was a big success but we need to improve our smokeless fire technique!!

A big thank you to Darren Alexander who kindly sponsored the eggs this year.  Darren, you made a lot of kids very messy!

Thanks also to all those who turned up to help out on the day.

Members – come and join in the fun on Easter Monday

Open only to members and members children and grandchildren

There will be a campfire (and so marshmallows and bread on sticks!) and plenty of craft activities for youngsters.

Refreshments (tea/coffee) available at a small cost

Joining the woodland is possible on the day of the event