Volunteers from Get Out More, Nell Bank and other local groups worked alongside Bradford Council to help mend a footpath in this much-loved woodland last week.

We coordinated a Middleton Woods conservation day supporting Bradford Council on Friday 20^th May.  The enthusiastic team of volunteers comprised our staff, Nell Bank outdoor education centre and parents of children who attend forest schools at All Saints Pre-School Playgroup and with Get Out More.

Work involved building steps down a slippery, eroded section of footpath, to improve access from Curly Hill and everyone gained something from the experience. Colin Whitfield, the Council’s Assistant Tree & Woodland Manager who led the repairs said “Bradford Council are delighted to work with Get Out More, Nell Bank and other volunteers.” Participant Dave Woolloff commented that the experience was “great fun and we’ve achieved something as well!” whilst Ally Foster, Outdoor Learning Tutor at Nell Bank, remarked that “it’s a great resource on our doorstep and hopefully this work means more people can enjoy it all year round.”

Our Managing Director Annie Berrington said “We love coming to Middleton Woods with our forest schools so it’s great put something back as well as meet Nell Bank staff and other users of the woodland. The children coming to forest school at half term will notice the difference.” The conservation work forms an essential part of Get Out More’s commitment to invest its profits into communities in which the social enterprise works.

A second conservation day is likely to take place in early June, so if you’d like further details please contact Annie Berrington on 07974 935105 or [email protected]. For information on how to book your child onto a forest school session go to http://www.getoutmorecic.co.uk/events/ and for information about visits to Nell Bank please visit http://www.nellbank.com/.

Volunteers will be working alongside Bradford Council this Friday 20 May to help mend footpaths in this much-loved woodland in preparation for the ever popular half-term forest schools.

Local social-enterprise Get Out More has been leading regular holiday forest schools for 5-11 year olds in Middleton Woods since 2012 and is preparing for this half-term’s sessions by helping the Council to repair some of the footpaths.

Forest School Project Manager and Ilkley champion Ruth McBain says “With a vision “to generate wellbeing through positive outdoor experiences,” it is hoped that not only will we help maintain the woods as being an enjoyable place for all to visit, but also the conservation work itself will be rewarding and pleasurable amongst the bluebells.”

The conservation work forms an essential part of Get Out More’s commitment to invest its profits into communities in which the social enterprise works.  In the past this has included donations to local woodlands conservation work and supporting disadvantaged children’s groups to access nature’

Our team will be joined by volunteers from other groups and individuals who use and enjoy Middleton Woods. Members of the public are encouraged to join in, between 9:30am and 2:30pm on Friday 20^th May by meeting at the stile half way up Curly Hill.  Volunteers should bring lunch and a drink, plus gloves and a spade if you have one. Guidance will be given, but volunteers participate at their own risk. For further details contact Annie Berrington: 07974 935105 [email protected]