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

As some of you will have seen on our facebook page, we have recently placed a new carved tractor and “Parsons Wood” sign at Blaen Bran.

The original items were damaged last year in an act of mindless vandalism, and have been sorely missed by children, adults and dogs too.

When we sought to replace them, Cwmbran Community Council offered to help and we are grateful to them for the funds which have resulted in a new tractor and trailer which have been placed at the entrance to the Parsons Wood area of Blaen Bran, near to our log circle

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The sign into this area has also been replaced with a beautiful leaf design. The new structures were commissioned from Rhys Harris, of Bargoed.

Thanks to all who supported our very successful fundraising evening at the Bush on Monday 29th Feb.

The Quiz evening was a joint effort between Blaen Bran Community Woodland and the Friends of the Earth

As ever we are grateful to David Lucy and Corinne, who devised questions which baffled many and entertained all.

Thanks to Chris and staff at the Bush for their support on the night and also to those who generously donated raffle prizes.

A big thank you to the volunteers who helped to plant over 300 saplings along our upper boundary fence on Sunday 28th Feb.

It was a great turnout and a sterling effort as the ground was very tough and the hawthorn and blackthorn pretty spikey!

Hopefully the hedgerow will improve our boundary and provide a habitat for birds, mammals and insects alike, for years to come. It should also help to keep sheep and lambs out of the woodland and our dogs inside.

We have more young trees to plant in the coming weeks and will keep you posted on here – so keep checking the website for information

A very big thank you to Cwmbran Community Council who very kindly provided funds for the purchase of these young trees.

We have a lot of trees to plant and would appreciate lots of volunteers to come up and help to do it… All ages, family groups and pets are welcome – we’ll find a job for most people – and if your pet’s a good digger we’ll get them doing some too 🙂 !

These trees and hedges will last for decades, so isn’t it be a nice thought that when you are walking in the woodland years from now, that you and your family could have the satisfaction that you planted an area of it!

The event is being arranged for Sunday 28th February. For more details look at this calendar post.

Thanks in advance!!