Blaen Bran Community Woodland

Teas in the Trees with activities
2017-07-30 13:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | 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 - 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

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.

Easter Egg Hunt
2017-04-16 14:00 - 16:00 | 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

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

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

Tree Planting day - Sunday 26th February
2017-02-11 08:00 - 17:00
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

February Volunteer Day
2017-02-05 10:00 - 14:00 | 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.

Willow Weave a Christmas Wreath!
2016-12-10 11:00 - 14:00
Join us at the Log Circle and have a go……

Willow and greenery for decoration will be supplied but if your feeling more in the mood for baubles and ribbons feel free to bring along anything you like!

Social evening with Friends of the Earth
2016-11-16 08:00 - 17:00
Together with Friends of the Earth, we are holding a quiz and games evening at the Bush Inn, Upper Cwmbran, on Tuesday 29th November at 7.30pm.
This is always a great night, with quizzes, games, dingbats, anagrams and more.
Tickets (£5 inc chips and a roll) are available from the Bush, or call 01633 875704
Come and join in a great night – and support some good causes too.

Bonfire Night
2016-11-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
For ‘Friends of Blaen Bran’ as big thank you for your support.
The best views over Cwmbran to watch Fireworks! (Sparklers only at this event )
BBQ and Campfire
Children must be supervised at all times and please wear appropriate clothing- you will also need a torch !
If you are not a member but would like to attend our events why not join now – membership co-ordinator

Childrens Halloween Fancy Dress Party
2016-10-29 15:00 - 17:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Fancy Dress and plenty of games for the children!
This event is for members only their children/grandchildren (should they wish to bring a friend a small charge of £2 per child will apply)
Membership available on the day.
Come and join in the fun !
( Weather permitting)

Aberfan memorial tree
2016-10-16 10:00 - 22:15 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
On Sunday 16th October, prior to setting off on our monthly volunteering session in the woods, we are arranging to plant a young tree, in memory of the lives lost and families devastated by the tragic events 50 years ago.
This will take place near to the entrance to Parsons Wood (our childrens wood area), by the log circle, at 10.00am. It will be a simple tree planting and envisaged to take but a few minutes prior to the volunteers moving into the woodland for some ditch clearing work
Anyone wishing to attend would be welcome, including any new or old volunteers.

Volunteer Day
2016-10-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom

Volunteer Day
2016-08-21 10:00 - 14:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Help us look after the woodland.

Den Day
2016-08-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Make a den from woodland materials for charity.

BBCW Annual General Meeting
2016-06-04 12:30 - 14:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
This years AGM will be held in the woodland, on Saturday 4th June commencing at 12.30pm.
All members are encouraged to attend.
We will put up our roundhouse to ensure cover if (when) it rains.
Refreshments will be provided in the welfare cabin
The meeting will follow a volunteer session starting at 10am bashing down some bracken and bramble, probably in the arboretum area. The volunteer session will finish at mid-day allowing time for some grub before the meeting.

Blaen Bran Bramblers - May
2016-05-28 14:00 - 15:30 | Fan House Mine Ruins, Upper Cwmbran, Cwmbran, United Kingdom
Informal walk around our beautiful woodland.
Meet new friends – find new trails….
Dogs welcome…. but be aware there will be a lot of our ramblers will have theirs off their leads.

Volunteer Day
2016-05-22 10:00 - 14:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
This is our monthly volunteering event.
We have a whole list of things to do to maintain the woodland so all help is useful!! Please come along and support.
The more people we have there helping the more we can get done – and we can find jobs for young or old – families welcome! Equipment and training will be provided.
You are not obliged to be there for the entire time! In our opinion, 10 minutes help is better than none – it all adds up and lets all the volunteers who’ve turned up for the entire time a chance for a well deserved break without them feeling guilty about stopping because the planned jobs arent finished!!
Also remember there are no profiteers in this charity – the woodland is for the community – the directors are volunteers… Most of the directors are quite old and need a lie down every now and then so that 10 minutes of you helping might save their lives 🙂

Blaen Bran Bramblers - April
2016-04-30 14:00 - 15:30 | Fan House Mine Ruins, Upper Cwmbran, Cwmbran, United Kingdom

History Walk
2016-04-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Braen Blan Car Park, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom

History Walk
2016-04-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom

Easter Egg Hunt - Easter Monday
2016-03-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Our popular Easter event.
This event is for members, members children and grandchildren only.
To join click here to get more information, or contact our membership coordinator if you need any extra information.

Blaen Bran Bramblers - March
2016-03-26 14:00 - 15:30 | Fan House Mine Ruins, Upper Cwmbran, Cwmbran, United Kingdom

Volunteer Day - March
2016-03-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Every month on the third Sunday, we have a volunteering day….
As most of you know, the land is privately owned and relies on volunteers to keep the woodland maintained and, if we achieve the maintenance, we have the possibility to improve other areas to start other projects.
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 the community to use!!
This month we are looking at doing some willow weaving and building the fire pit inside the new round house as the main activities.
Hope to see you all there.

Llais y Goedwig networking event
2016-03-19 10:00 - 17:30 | Coed Craig Ruperra, 5 Ty Newydd, Caerphilly, Caerphilly, CF83 8NT, United Kingdom
Join in with community woodlands groups and interested individuals from across South Wales for a spring day of woodland walks, talks, skill sharing, demonstrations, and lunch.
For details see the link below – a few of our committee members have been before and highly recommend it!!
Networking event

BBCW / Friends of the Earth Social
2016-02-29 19:30 - 23:30 | Bush Inn, Graig Rd, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, NP44 5AN, United Kingdom
A charity social evening at the Bush Inn in Upper Cwmbran.
Open to everyone – come up and see what Blaen Bran and the Friends of the Earth are about.
Not only chatting – there will be some fun and games to do and the Bush does some pretty good food, so why not make an evening of it and spoil yourself!

Planting Day
2016-02-28 10:00 - 16:00 | Log Circle, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
We have several hundred small trees onsite which are awaiting planting. They are mainly hedgerow plants, although we have received others. If we have a good turnout it may be possible to plant them all – but it takes quite a lot of effort to plant this many trees, and many hands make light work, so please join us if you can! We are meeting at the Log Circle at 10.00am on Sunday February 28th. Google map can be found below – and the Getting Here page shows where you can park.
There is no obligation to stay all day. Any help is much appreciated – whether it’s half an hour or the whole day – your time helping us maintain the woodland means we can get that bit more done!
Most of the planting will be going in to the top boundary line (above the felled area) above the top track, so if you can’t make it for 10am, we’d be very grateful if you can come along later and help out – even more so, as the early starters might be flagging 🙂
Make sure you bring warm clothes. Tools and gloves will be provided, but if you have any specialist tools that may help, they will be useful. The area we will be digging does have some rocks under the ground which can make digging with a spade awkward! Also, make sure you bring suitable boots as it may be muddy.
We hope we’ll have the capability of making a coffee or two, but may be worth considering bringing some snacks and drinks with you – especially if you’ll be there for any length of time.
Also We will have some firewood stock which will be available to buy onsite if anyone needs any.

Blaen Bran Walking Club
2016-02-27 14:00 - 16:00 | Braen Blan Car Park, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, United Kingdom
Open to everyone.
A leisurely walk for a couple of hours around the woodland lead by a few of our members. If you’ve never been to the woodland, this is a great way to learn your way around the woodland and get advice from our regular members and walkers about what there is to do and see, so you feel more confident when you want to come up on your own. It’s also a great way to meet new friends!
It’s a dog friendly walk but be aware that many are off their leads.
If its been raining in the last couple of days before the walk make sure you’re equipped for some muddy areas with waterproof walking boots or wellies in case we decide to go off the normal tracks!
