Larch clearance

Warning! The clearing of the larch above the track between the Mountain air gate and the gate by the start of the stream is expected to begin on Monday 7th April. This means this part of the woodland will be out of bounds for up to three months. Notices will be put up warning of this. There is more guidance here Newsletter 12.

Next woodland walk

We are holding a series of walks to look at different sections of the wood to look at the woodland management plan ‘on the ground’ including getting views on what people what like to see done in the wood. This particular walk will focus on the forest school area.

 

This is on Saturday 22nd March  at 10.20am for 10.30am start, meeting in the lower car park. The walk will be approximately one and a half hours.

 

All ages are welcome as long as parents/ grandparents accompany children or vice versa! Also please feel free to bring along non-members you know so they have a chance to walk in the woods as well.

 

It would be helpful to have some idea of numbers, so if you are interested in coming then contact David Williams, who is leading the walk, on 01633 875704 or 0793 9003131.

 

It will not be an arduous walk but do wear stout shoes/boots and dress warmly, bringing waterproofs if necessary.

Our ever popular social evening

Our ever popular social evening is back. It’s at the Bush Inn on February 25th at 7.30pm. There are games and quizzes. Tickets are £5 which includes food and the first game. All other games are 50p. Tickets are available by phone from 01633 875704 or 01495 767983 or from the Bush Inn.
It’s very informal, lots of fun and teams are usually formed on the night. Here’s a poster you can download with all the information.

Social-evening-poster

Woodland walk 22nd February

We are holding a series of walks to look at different sections of the wood to look at the woodland management plan ‘on the ground’ including getting views on what people what like to see done in the wood. This particular walk will focus on the arboretum.

 

This is on Saturday 22nd February  at 10.20am for 10.30am start, meeting in the lower car park. The walk will be approximately one and a half hours.

 

All ages are welcome as long as parents/ grandparents accompany children or vice versa! Also please feel free to bring along non-members you know so they have a chance to walk in the woods as well.

 

It would be helpful to have some idea of numbers, so if you are interested in coming then contact David Williams, who is leading the walk, on 01633 875704 or 0793 9003131.

 

It will not be an arduous walk but do wear stout shoes/boots and dress warmly, bringing waterpro

Wildlife in Torfaen talks

Torfaen Council are running a series of taks entitled “Wildlife in Torfaen” given by Chris Hatch, a naturalist and wildlife photographer. They all take place at Llanyrafon Manor and begin Tuesday 4th February.

fox

There will be six 2 hour sessions all commencing at 7pm at Llanyafon Manor. As space is limited, booking is essential via Carla Kavanagh Tel:01633 648308. Email: Carla Kavanagh@torfaen.gov.uk. Talk dates as follows.

 Feb        4th (Tues), 12th  (Wed), 18th  (Tues)

March   6th (Thurs), 11th (Tues), 18th (Tues)

Why not become a friend of the woodland?

Why not give someone the biggest present ever.!!!!! All 120 acres of Blaen Bran Woodland is owned by its members. You and the people you love can all become members and in turn become one of the owners of the woodland.  Can you think of a bigger, better value present? Membership is just £10 per year and is renewable every May,… As a Christmas and New Year special we are offering 2014/5 membership to start now and run until May2015 for the special price of £10. All of the monies raised from membership fees are normally spent on the woodland to pay for maintenance and insurances, but this year we have a special problem in the Top Larch to deal with which will need everyone’s help. If you can help us and at the same time become a landowner please e mail me at mumsknowbest@hotmail.co.uk and I’ll send you a membership form by return. Merry Xmas and Happy New Year  Lynn (Membership Secretary BlaenBran)

Blaen Bran Forest school

Great news.

Work is well under way on our forest school project. Funded by Environment Wales, the project is being undertaken by Blaen Bran Woodland Services, and should be completed soon. An area of our woodland just above the log circle, to the right of the main track will be opened up to create an area within the woodland to allow activities such as Forest school and woodland skills to be undertaken. This would provide opportunities for people and groups of all ages. Encouraging young people to experience and explore their natural environment, developing skills using natural materials, building self-esteem and confidence.

It will entail creating trails through woodland to allow for exploration, and clearings to be established for activities/classes, with woodland furniture to be created from the woodland itself. Raised beds will be created for the planting and propagation of flora.

The hard graft has been carried out by Dave Higginson, our woodland manager, with tremendous support from volunteers, old and new.

Relax in Cwmbran

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