Blaen Bran Community Woodland

February Volunteer Day
2017-02-05 10:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Every month on the first Sunday, we have a volunteering day….
As most of you know, the land is privately owned and relies on volunteers for the ongoing maintenance and many projects that are undertaken to further improve the Woodland for visitors and the Local Community.
Each month there will be a different project or activities going on – and the amount we can do depends on how many turn up… For everyone of you with a garden, you know it takes some time to just keep it looking nice! Your woodland is a 100 acres to look after, so we appreciate as many hands as possible to help to keep it safe for everyone to use!!
This month we are looking at maintaining boundary fencing and clearing ditches. Feel free to join us if only to make the coffee or do a bit of litter picking!
Hope to see you all there.

Tree Planting day - Sunday 26th February
2017-02-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Torfaen
PLANTING DAY ALERT!!
A tree planting day is being arranged for Sunday 26th February, up at Blaen Bran.
Meeting at the log circle, to set off at 10.00am, we will make our way up to the planting area which is the northern end of the felled area up at the top of the woodland.
We have a 1000 bare root saplings to put in, including hazel, sweet chestnut, oak, alder and poplar. Many of the trees have been provided by our friends at Cwmbran Community Council, as part of a flood prevention initiative.
It would be great to see as many volunteers as possible up there on the day. Hopefully we will have support from local scouts and other groups too.
Boots or wellies would be advised.
Anyone arriving later than 10am can make their own way up to the top (It’s the Mountain Air end of the felled area)
We’ll remind everyone nearer to the day

Tree planting day
2017-02-26 10:00 - 14:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom

Litter Pick - Spring Clean-up
2017-03-05 10:00 - 14:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom

Tree planting day - Sunday 2nd April
2017-04-02 10:00 - 14:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Volunteers have planted over a thousand trees already this winter, and now we have another thousand to plant!!!
So why not join us on Sunday 2nd April, setting off from the log circle at 10am, we’ll make our way up to the planting area in the top, clear felled, section.
Anyone arriving later than 10am can make their own way up to the top (take the main track up to the pond, turn right towards the Mountain Air end, and after approx 150 metres take the left track into the felled area – look out for the Blaen Bran flag!!
We’ll remind everyone nearer to the day

Easter Egg Hunt
2017-04-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom

Woodland Birds Walk
2017-06-10 08:30 - 10:30 | Braen Blan Car Park, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
The Gwent Ornithological Society have organised a fairly easy 2.5km walk around Blaen Bran to teach us about woodland birds.
No dogs allowed as they can tend to scare some birds away…
See here for more info.

Teas in the trees with activities - rescheduled to Thursday morning
2017-07-27 10:00 - 13:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Teas in the trees will be running throughout the summer holidays (other than bank holiday Sunday weekend) and there’ll be a little something for children/big adult children to do at their leisure.
Thursday 27th July – Activity Make a leaf boat or twig raft and test it in the stream.
This is the event postponed from Sunday because of bad weather

Teas in the Trees with activities
2017-07-30 13:00 - 16:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Teas in the trees will be running throughout the summer holidays (other than bank holiday Sunday weekend) and there’ll be a little something for children/big adult children to do at their leisure.
Sunday 30th July – Activity – butterfly feeder, bug hotel, pinecone feeder and mini-beast hunt

Teas in the Trees with activities
2017-08-06 13:00 - 16:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Teas in the trees will be running throughout the summer holidays (other than bank holiday Sunday weekend) and there’ll be a little something for children/big adult children to do at their leisure.
Sunday 6th August – Activity – Elf houses, fairy doors and magical hunt

BBQ
2017-08-12 19:00 - 22:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
For people who are ‘friends of Blaen Bran’ (current members) a lovely get together on Saturday 12th August 2017.
The next meteor shower is supposed to be happening – how great would it be if we have clear skies and we’re able to watch it from our beautiful woodland.

Teas in the Trees with activities - Geocaching
2017-08-13 13:00 - 16:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Teas in the trees will be running throughout the summer holidays (other than bank holiday Sunday weekend) and there’ll be a little something for children/big adult children to do at their leisure.
Sunday 13th August – Activity – Andy Maddock has kindly organised a woodland ‘treasure’ hunt similar to the style of Geocaching but just within the woodland.

Teas in the Trees with activities
2017-08-20 13:00 - 16:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Teas in the trees will be running throughout the summer holidays (other than bank holiday Sunday weekend) and there’ll be a little something for children/big adult children to do at their leisure.
Sunday 20th August – Activity – bark / leaf art and leaf detectives

Closing Date - 2018 BBCW calendar ‘creative competition’
2017-08-31 23:30 | Torfaen
2018 BBCW calendar ‘creative competition’ for the under 16’s
CLOSING DATE for submission will be the end of August.

Social Evening BBCW & TFOE
2017-10-17 19:30 - 23:00 | Bush Inn, Graig Rd, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, NP44 5AN, United Kingdom

Halloween Party
2017-10-28 15:00 - 17:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Plenty of fun and games and goey things and dancing and the children can join in too if they like.
Free to existing friends of Blaen Bran members
Non member children can join up for £2 (to become a child friend of Blaen Bran) which will last a year and include access to other children’s events happening in the coming year.
There will be a limit to the amount of places so it will be a case of first come first served.
I’d also appreciate it if people are definitely coming to let me know so I can get enough icky silly stuff in ? children must be accompanied and supervised at all times. Fancy dress and other fun things to be confirmed later.

Fungus Walk at BBCW
2017-10-29 10:30 - 12:30 | Braen Blan Car Park, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Roger Evans of the Gwent Wildlife Trust and Gwent Fungus Group.
Sunday 29th October
Fungus walk

Christmas Teas in the Trees and Craftivities
2017-12-03 11:00 - 14:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Blaen Bran’s (not so little) elves ……have been working away in their woodland workshop making these lovely items ready for our Christmas event.

The plan is that you buy them and then make/decorate (if you wish).
With all the proceeds going back into the woodland.
Think we’ll also have a few nice things to add to a woodland Christmas atmosphere.possibly things for children too.
..more information will follow…

Christmas Teas in the Trees and Craftivities
2017-12-03 11:00 - 14:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
More details on our Christmas gathering (open to everyone).
If you are planning on coming and making/decorating something it may be an idea to please let us know so you’re not disappointed if all the materials have been used.
Some will be ready made to buy too.

We’ll also have:

leaf mandelas (patterns working with natural materials
pebble painting
a drumming demo
making things from willow
clay sculpting
porcelain ginger bread shapes decorating

and lots of different activities around the fire (bread making/toasting etc)
As well as the usual – tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits and other goodies.
Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Teas in the trees Jan 2018
2018-02-04 10:00 - 13:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Weather forecast is looking ok so far… everyone welcome!!

A G M Saturday 16th June 2018
2018-06-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Ebenezer Methodist Chapel, The Square, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Blaen Bran Community Woodland Annual General Meeting to be held on Saturday 16th June, 2pm, at the Ebenezer Chapel, Upper Cwmbran.
(31 The Square, Upper Cwmbran, Cwmbran NP44 5AQ)

AGM letter2018

Boxing Day Walk 2018
2018-12-26 11:00 - 13:00 | Torfaen

Sealed Knot Event
2019-09-14 12:00 - 16:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Blaen Bran will be hosting a soldiers marching camp of re-enactors from the Sealed Knot, specifically the Royalist regiment of Charles Gerard, on Saturday 14th September. The BBCW Chair, Dave Williams, and his wife Lucy, are members of the regiment, who take part in re-enactment displays showing aspects of the English Civil Wars – that took place between 1642 and 1647.
There will be a small marching camp, depicting a small group of soldiers gathering on their way to join the main army of the King near Bristol. It will be a chance to see some of the equipment and weapons of the time, and some of the soldier’s pastimes – from repairing kit, to camp cooking and games of chance. The camp will be ‘open’ at the fire circle up in the wood between 12noon and 4pm on the Saturday, with anyone welcome to join us.
There will be a planned trip to the Bush Inn and the Queen to try and drum up recruits for the king’s shilling, around 11am on Saturday 14th. There will be an overnight camp (complete with campfire) and then we will be showing our visitors around the wood on the Sunday morning. Do feel free to come up and visit.

Free Willow Weaving and Craft Session
2019-12-01 10:15 - 13:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
BBCW will be having a willow weaving and craft session, as we have done in previous years, looking to make willow wreaths and other items (probably with a Christmas theme), as well as some Christmas decoration making, on Sunday 1st December from 10.15am through to around 1pm.
We will have some of our ‘tea in the trees’ facility available and will be joined by Sasha Ufnowska (who helped us create our parachute shelter) to help with willow crafts. Sasha works with Llais y Goedwig, the community woodland network in Wales (of which BBCW were one of the early members), and also has her own company running bushcraft activities- www.bushcraftcourses.co.uk – so has a lot of practical experience.
Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult for any craft making.

Spring Clean Up at Blaen Bran
2021-06-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Spring Clean Up at Blaen Bran!
Sunday 13th June at 10.00am. Caru Cymru!!
As part of the annual Torfaen CBC and Keep Wales Tidy Spring campaign to clean up our communities, we will be running our own litter pick event at the woodland next Sunday morning.
Meeting at the log circle for a 10.00 am start, we will have litter grabbers and bags available to volunteers who will be rewarded with a cuppa on their return to the cabin.
Keep an eye on the weather and wear suitable clothes/footwear. Social distancing and COVID awareness measures apply at collection/drop off.
Come along and help make a difference!

Notice of Annual General Meeting 2021
2021-07-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Blaen Bran Community Woodland – Notice of Annual General Meeting 2021

Dear Member

You are invited to the Blaen Bran Community Woodland Annual General Meeting to be held on Saturday 17th July, 2021 at 2.00pm, at the Log Circle Event Area in the woodland.

( What3words location: ///choice.monkey.nest )

Big Green Week - Woodland Walk
2022-09-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Braen Blan Car Park, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Celebration of Nature and Trees
A guided walk in Blaen Bran on Thurs 29th Sept as part of Big Green week, meeting in lower car park at 10am.
The walk will be no more than two hours, and participants should wear boots/stout shoes and bring waterproofs in case of showers.

Free FUNGI WALK
2022-10-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Braen Blan Car Park, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom

Christmas Craft Event
2022-12-03 10:00 - 12:30 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom

Christmas Wreath Making IS CANCELLED
2024-12-05 16:47 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
