Discover Bradford woodland history
12th November 2018
A free family-friendly event at Hirst Wood in Saltaire near Bradford to discover traditional woodland practices and archaeology of this beautiful woodland. See poster for details
Latest News and Info
Check Out the Events Page!
7th November 2018
Following the success of Forest Fest in September, the Bradford Forest School Network is swelling in numbers and planning ahead for some exciting new events. From skill share sessions to CPD and even a proposed date for the next Forest Fest, new events are being added all the time. Check out the page and get the dates in your diary. Booking details will follow shortly.
St Ives Woodland Heritage Day Plans
26th October 2018
Friends of St Ives are planning a woodland heritage day on Sunday 26 May 2019 (note that this has changed from the March date originally publicised). Activities will include horse logging, charcoal making, chainsaw carving and wood turning and all manner of fun things to celebrate this wonderful woodland. They are inviting members of Bradford Forest School Network to run activities too. If you are interested in being involved please contact Annie Berrington via the Contacts page
Woodland Heritage Conference – programme announced
24th September 2018
The programme has been announced for the Woodland Heritage conference taking place at Bradford University this November. The conference will promote the archaeology and history of woodlands located across the United Kingdom, as well as discuss the investigative techniques utilised by professionals, academics, community groups and the public in their research. The conference, which is a part of the three-year programme to discover more about the heritage of ancient woodlands in the South Pennines region, will include national and international speakers from the fields of archaeology, conservation and education, including forest schools.
Click here to read the full programme
Pennine Prospects’ Celebrating Our Woodland Heritage project is jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire Water, Newground Together and the Green Bank Trust, with support from the University of Bradford’s School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences. This three year project (2016-2019) has sought to enhance our understanding of the historical and archaeological development of woodlands across the South Pennines.
Until recently woodlands across the region have received little historical attention. As a result landowners and the West Yorkshire and Lancashire Historic Environment Records are lacking important archaeological information that would otherwise support any proposed woodland management activities. This project serves to rectify this situation, whilst raising awareness and promoting the history and archaeology of woodlands to the public.
Through a series of archaeological surveys, workshops, excavations and Forest Schools; individuals, societies, pupils and families have been learning archaeological skills whilst contributing towards the regions understanding and appreciation of woodlands.
Campfire ban lifted
4th September 2018
After the rain in the second half of August, the campfire ban in Bradford Council woodlands has now been lifted. But Woodland Management remind practitioners that they must always get permission before having a campfire in one of their woodlands and to use a fire pan to prevent damage to roots and soil
Forest Fest Workshops Announced
4th September 2018
Not long to go until the highlight of the Bradford Forest School year – Forest Fest on 15-16 September. Have you got your ticket yet?
The exciting list of workshops has been announced and includes a range of subjects from the theoretical to the practical, with plenty of playfulness thrown in. We’ve got Play Therapists, First Aid Tutors, Forest School Practitioners and Forest Guides all eager to share their skills – the hard bit is choosing just 3 out of the 6 on offer.
Forest Fest is an annual event in the Bradford Forest School calendar and a chance for practitioners and anyone interested in forest schools to get together, meet new people, swap ideas, learn some skills and have a really good laugh, all in a beautiful and relaxing woodland environment! Book your tickets here: Book your place using Eventbrite here or if you need more information just get in touch via the Contacts page
Campfire ban on Bradford Council sites
18th July 2018
Bradford Council Woodlands Team have issued a ban on campfires in Bradford Council woodlands this summer due to the fire hazard caused by this exceptionally dry summer.
Woodlands Assistant Manager Andrew Cutts said, “Apologies, but at present due to the extremely dry conditions open fires are not allowed on CBMDC sites. Hopefully, we will get some decent rainfall in the coming weeks and the situation will change. However, in the meantime should you wish to cook food or heat water please use a stove. This is not a reflection on you as a FS practitioner but if we allow you to have an open fire it gives mixed signals to the general public. Do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries relating to this matter.”
Bradford Forest School Network asks all practitioners and anyone else using the woodlands to respect this advice and set a good example to other woodland users
Forest Fest is back – book now!
14th July 2018
Forest Fest is back and taking bookings! Whether you are new to forest school, want to introduce a bit more outdoors into your life or are an experienced practitioner, this event is for you. It has always been a highlight of the Bradford Forest School calendar and a chance for practitioners and anyone interested in forest schools to get together, meet new people, swap ideas, learn some skills and have a really good laugh, all in a beautiful and relaxing woodland environment!
We’re calling it a ‘Pop Up’ event as this year we’re running it a bit differently. As we no longer receive any funding support to subsidise the event, we’re planning on running it collectively, with everyone (i.e. all attendees) contributing to the delivery of it e.g. through running a short workshop, cooking, sorting the campfire, making teas and coffees etc. No specific skills are necessary and you won’t be asked to do anything outside your comfort zone, but hopefully you can share and learn and have a laugh as you go…
You can come for the day or stay overnight. Come with friends or on your own – you’ll soon meet others who share your interests. Book your place using Eventbrite here or if you need more information just get in touch via the Contacts page
Warning re. tree safety at St Ives
21st June 2018
Forest school practitioners are advised to avoid using the area of woodland at St Ives known as Betty’s wood – see map below. The Woodland Management team at Bradford Council consider that following the felling of the larch last year, that previously shielded the pine trees, they are now more susceptible to movement and falling so the area should remain out of use for the foreseeable future. There are children’s dens in that area so please pass on this information to families who visit the estate
New system for booking Bradford Council woodland
23rd April 2018
In Bradford we are very lucky to have access to some beautiful woodlands including St Ives Estate, Middleton Woods, Judy Woods, Hirst Woods, Northcliffe Woods and many more. (See the council website for further sites) The Woodland Management team at the council are welcoming to forest schools providing groups are responsible and ask permission first. Some woods are very popular, in particular during peak times like school holidays, so its important that everyone works together to respect the sites and avoid clashes.
The Woodland Management Team have updated their system for site permissions and request that all forest school practitioners and other woodland users such as schools taking groups to the woods use this form CBMDC Forest School booking form to book woodlands well in advance. Please return completed forms to Andrew Cutts, Assistant Tree and Woodland Manager. Email: andrew.cutts@bradford.gov.uk