Just to let you know we do have a Facebook page where you can upload photos, make comments, be kept up to date and ask questions. You'll find it here
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=100161550040307&ref=ts
Posted by: Roger
30/11/11 20:02:07 GMT
We welcome people volunteering to do work in the woodland. The work varies from simple things like cutting back brambles and gathering offcuts of larch branches to burn (which is the only level I can manage) to quite technical stuff involving chainsaws and tractors that require not only competence but sometimes proper accreditation.
We usually gather at 10.00 Sunday mornings outside Mineslope Cottage - the cottage on the right halfway up the hill from the car park. However our forest manager, Dave Higginson, is keen to start some afternoon groups as well, depending on people's availability. Anyone interested in this idea should contact him at Mineslope Cottage. There is the possibility of some accredited training available for regular volunteers.
Do come and join us - you will be warmly welcomed, it beats paying a subscription to a gym to get good exercise and you get a real sense of achieving something worthwhile.
Posted by: Roger
22/11/11 19:54:51 GMT
On November 5th we are holding a bonfire night event at the log circle by the containers. Come and watch the firework displays in Cwmbran from a place that's safe even for dogs. Soup and rolls will be on sale, there will be a barbecue for people to cook their own food on, a fire to keep us all warm and a dazzling fire juggling display.
It starts at 6.30 but come when you like. You may wish to bring alcoholic drinks with you and a torch is definitely recommended.
Posted by: Roger
30/10/11 00:19:16 BST
You are cordially invited to BBCW’s celebrated annual quiz and games night, held in conjunction with the Friends of the Earth, Torfaen. The event will be held at The Bush, Upper Cwmbran on Wednesday 19th October. The fun will begin at 8.00pm. The cost is £2.50 which includes a meal of curry sauce and chips or sausage and chips, if the Bush is given prior notice of this.
Tickets are available from :-
The Bush Public House
David Williams 01633 875704
Corinne Jones 01495 767953
They will always put tickets to one side for you to be collected and paid for at the door.
There is usually a great variety of games of quizzes including photographs, anagrams, bingo, music quiz and dingbats so there's usually a chance for everyone to win a prize, some of which come in the form a bottle containing alcoholic liquid, some of which are edible and one or two downright inscrutable.
Posted by: Roger
5/10/11 20:22:53 BST
This year our very popular fungus forage will take place on Saturday October 1st at 2pm. We will meet at the car park at the bottom. In order to cover travel costs for the fungus expert, this event will be free to members and children under 16 but non members will be charged £2.
Posted by: Roger
18/09/11 19:38:11 BST
Every Saturday from 30th July to 20th August, workers will be by the log circle from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon for adventure play in the woods for children aged 8+. This will include den building, making shelters, wood craft skills, cooking on a campfire, exporing and looking for wildlife.
It will all be outdoors so suitable clothing and footwear is essential. For further information, please contact the Play Team on 01495 742951
A great way to do the shopping whilst the children are happily occupied
Posted by: Roger
29/07/11 12:55:46 BST
As part of the Cwmbran Big Event (the successor to the late, lamented carnival) David Williams of BBCW is leading a walk round the woodland. All interested should meet in the new car park at 7.00 pm. It is expected the walk will take about an hour and a half (weather permitting). It would be good for those who don't know the woodland very well, those who have only just joined BBCW or those who may be interested in joining.
Posted by: Roger
12/07/11 17:17:26 BST
Gwent Ornithological Trust are holding a goshawk walk on Saturday June 18th. They are meeting at the car park at 8.00 am and expect the walk to last about three hours. All members of Blaen Brân Community Woodland are welcome. I rather suspect dogs and noisy children wouldn't be.
Posted by: Roger
11/06/11 12:57:42 BST
The AGM will be held at 2pm on Saturday 28th May at Ebenezer Chapel. weather permitting, there will be a barbecue at 4pm. Bring your own salad.
Posted by: Roger
13/05/11 14:49:17 BST
We are holding an Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Monday (25th April) at 3pm followed by refreshments around the fire at around 4pm
This is aimed at younger children but all ages are welcome as long as parents and grandparents bring a child or vice versa!
It will be an area of the wood close to the cabins so do wear stout shoes/boots and dress warmly, bringing waterproofs.
Later in the evening, from 5pm onwards, we will have a BBQ to welcome in the Spring – Food including sausages and burgers and rolls will be for sale but please bring any drinks that you want.
We will have a fire and hopefully hot soup available as well.
We will start by meeting in the car park beyond the Square Chapel. There is a combination lock on the gate which will be open and we will give the access number to Members as needed – so please do not park in the Square.
Posted by: Roger
10/03/11 17:29:09 GMT
All members who would rather pay their membership by standing order should get in touch with our treasurer Ralph Miller. He will then go through the arrangements with you.
Posted by: Roger
22/02/11 20:59:51 GMT
David Parsons, our forestry expert, is leading a woods in winter walk Sunday 27th February. All interested should join him at Ebenzer Chapel in the Square at 10.00 a.m. In view of the weather and the state of some of the tracks due to the work happening on Torfaen Council land, good footwear is essential.
Posted by: Roger
22/02/11 20:57:06 GMT
David Parsons, our forestry expert, is leading a woods in winter walk Sunday 27th February. All interested should join him at Ebenzer Chapel in the Square at 10.00 a.m. In view of the weather and the state of some of the tracks due to the work happening on Torfaen Council land, good footwear is essential.
Posted by: Roger
22/02/11 20:56:59 GMT
This Thursday, November 18th, there is an evening of quizzes and games with prizes at the Bush, Upper Cwmbran, starting at 8.00 pm. Tickets are £2.50 each and are available from the Bush or from David Williams 01633 875704. All proceeeds will be donated to Blaen Bran Community Woodland and Friends of the Earth.
Posted by: Roger
14/11/10 16:51:19 GMT
This Saturday, November 6th, there will be a barbecue by the log circle from 6pm onwards. Hot dogs, jacket potatoes and vegetable soup will be on sale. We intend it to be a pet friendly evening so no fireworks please. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Come and have the best view in town of all the firework displays.
At 8pm there is to be a fire juggling demonstration that is not to be missed!
Posted by: Roger
2/11/10 18:00:49 GMT
This Saturday, 2nd October, there is to be a horse logging demonstration by the log circle in the woodland at 2.00 pm. There will be refreshments and local produce on sale and some games for children to try.
Posted by: Roger
29/09/10 16:31:03 BST
We are planting the wild flower meadow on Saturday September 25th. Meet at the gate by Ebenezer Chapel at 10.00 am. Good footwear and gloves are advised.
Posted by: Roger
16/09/10 17:56:24 BST
Torfaen Borough Council are having a drop in session Thursday 29th July at Siloam Chapel (that's the one at the bottom of the mountain opposite the bus stop) between 5pm and 7pm.
The idea is to drop in any time between those hours and look at their plans for the development of the area. They include the siting of a car park just above the chapel by the gate on the sharp bend and some welcome and interpretation boards for the woodland. They are there to provide information and listen, so feel free to make whatever comments you like - I've found them very helpful and friendly
Posted by: Roger
25/07/10 17:48:34 BST
We're really proud of the newly planted arboretum in the woodland and believe it to be the only one in South Wales. But as it is new, it is at the mercy of the bracken and the brambles that grow in the area and can easily choke the life out of our new trees.
For that reason we have organised a Bramble and Bracken Bash for Sunday July 11th. Please come and join us in some healthy destruction that will really benefit the trees. All you need is a stout pair of boots - wellies will do - and long trousers would be preferable. We do have some slashers but if you have a stick or pole, bring that along as well.
We'll meet by Ebenezer Chapel at 10 a.m. on Sunday July 11th. Come and join us!
Posted by: Roger
4/07/10 14:53:01 BST