News and Events

News & Events

The Friends of Ridge Wood, with support from South Gloucestershire Council regularly meet to undertake practical conservation work. Dates are posted here when arranged. You can also save paper and access the minutes of management meetings. It's not all work though. Some great events take place at Ridge Wood, especially in summer when we have an annual BBQ of delicious locally-produced food. Here's a taster of some of our other events:

Woodfest 2008!

Woodfest 2008 is on! Sunday 27th July is the day! It is FREE! so no excuses, come along and join in the fun for all the family!

Woodfest! offers a fantastic variety of opportunities for local people to improve their awareness or understanding of the importance of local woodlands for wildlife, the importance of trees and wood in our lives. The festival will offer opportunities to have a go at working locally sourced timber, and to explore the explore Ridge Wood through guided walks and childrens wood school activities.

A special attraction this year will be the opportunity for visitors to explore the canopy of the trees of Ridge Wood! Tree climbing is available to all, however places are limited so do please book at slot.

Have a go at using a pole lathe, willow weaving, charcoal making and many other activities. This year the festival will also feature story telling, children’s forest school activities, guided walks, talks, nest box building, BBQ food and much, much more!

Woodfest! will particularly cater for young children and families, with an exciting variety of free Forest School activities throughout the woodland.

Woofest! Will also offer the opportunity for local people to learn more about local Friends / volunteers groups active in the area, and how they can get involved with the management of their local woodlands and wildlife areas.

Woodfest! is free to all, however booking is required for the tree climbing as places are limited.

Woodfest! is organised by South Gloucestershire Council, in conjunction with the Forest of Avon, Friends of Ridge Wood Community Group and Hanson Aggregates.

To book a place on the tree climbing sessions, and for further information, please contact: South Gloucestershire Council on 01454 863592 / 863725

Woodfest! Activities
• Pole Lathing / green wood working and turning
• Fabulous Forest School woodland activities for children and
Families
• Tree climbing workshops – experience the canopy of Ridge Wood!
• Charcoal Making
• Woodland Family Tree Trail and activities
• Woodland Guided walks
• Nest Box Building
• Displays and information
• Story Telling
• Owl encounters and raptor rambles with ‘Wild Owl’
• Willow Weaving workshops for all the family

BBQ lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

To book a place on the tree climbing workshops, and for further information, please contact:

South Gloucestershire Council on 01454 863592 / 863725

Woodfest! will take place in The Field, Ridge Wood,
Look out for the sign posts. Please do not park in
Jubilee Gardens.

Fungus Forays

Have you tried the fungi quiz so you know a King Alfred's cake from a puffball? At our autumn Fungus Foray, local fungi expert, Justin Smith, explained that there are 4,000 species of fungi in the British Isles.

Owl Prowls

Ian McGuire of Wildowl took over 100 people in search of Tawny owls! Everyone learned a great deal about our native British owls during Ian's fascinating walk, and a few people thought they heard one of Ridge Wood's resident Tawny owls!

Bat Walks

One of a series at South Gloucestershire's Local Nature Reserves. These twilight walks to search for the common pipistrelle, Ridge Wood's resident bat, have proved very popular. (Photo: Rosie Corner, Bat Conservation Trust)

Girl with lantern

Diwali

The autumn Hindu festival of light has prompted shadow puppet shows, Indian music on magic carpets and the brightest array of beautiful hand-made lanterns.

Woodfest

Are you one of hundreds of people who come to Woodfest year after year? If you are, you might have learned green and traditional woodworking skills, woodland jewellery-making and earth and nature secrets. Don't miss the next one.

Forest Schools

Teachers! These outdoor classrooms make the most of the fantastic open spaces, woodland and meadow sites in the Ridge Wood area. Forest School is an inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults regular opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem. Find out about Forest Schools, and training opportunities in South Gloucestershire: 01454 863595 or email: naturalenvironment@southglos.gov.uk

A free summary leaflet and a booklet that looks at the history and future of the Wood in more detail has been produced. A CD containing a wealth of resources has also been produced for schools in the South Gloucestershire area. Please contact us for more information.