Just a reminder that we will be holding 2 dry stone walling sessions this coming weekend,Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th.
Meet at the Chapel gate in the Square at 10am or the Mountain Air gate at 10-30am,on both days.
For further information please contact Roy Dixon on 01633 766659
Posted by: John
13/08/08 13:26:30 BST
Last week we had a serious fire in the Woodland about one and a half acres of Woodland was destroyed.Many hundreds of young trees and shrubs, which were planted by volunteers earlier this year were burned,also several mature trees were damaged and will probably not survive.
We plan to replant this area in early November and,nearer the time,we will be looking for volunteers to assist us in this task
This fire was almost certainly deliberately started so once again we ask anyone walking or riding in the Woods to be vigilant where fires are concerned and report any suspicious activity to any Director
Posted by: John
3/08/08 15:37:25 BST
One of the main tasks in the Woodland at this time of year is clearing up the mess left by people camping or having parties in the woods.. cans,food wrappers and bottles are left in their hundreds but worst of all is the broken glass.
We already have had a case where a member's dog has had a badly cut paw from a broken bottle
We must ask EVERYONE using the Woods to take their litter home with them
On Sunday August 10th we are organising a work party to clear up some of the litter.Anyone wishing to volunteer to help please meet at the Chapel gate in the Square at 10 am. Please bring gloves
Posted by: John
3/08/08 15:27:05 BST
The Wildflower walk was well attended with more than 20 people being entertaind by Roger James's extensive knowledge.
Several rare species were pointed out,one in particular Roger had not seen in this area.
The walk was enhanced by the contribution of David Parsons and Roy Dixon,David sharing his expertise of trees and Roy pointing out many of the historical places of interest
Posted by: John
3/08/08 15:12:36 BST
The Wildflower walk was well attended with more than 20 people being entertaind by Roger James's extensive knowledge.
Several rare species were pointed out,one in particular Roger had not seen in this area.
The walk was enhanced by the contribution of David Parsons and Roy Dixon,David sharing his expertise of trees and Roy pointing out many of the historical places of interest
Posted by: John
3/08/08 15:12:27 BST
We are holding a Wildflower Walk on Sunday 29th June at 10.00am for 10.15am start. The walk will be approximately two hours.The walk will be led by Roger, from Gwent Wildlife Trust, and we will meet by the Chapel gate.
All ages are welcome as long as parents/ grandparents accompany children or vice versa! Also please feel free to bring along non-members you know so they have a chance to walk in the woods as well.
There is a combination lock on the gate by the Chapel in the Square and we will have this open, so please do not park in the Square, but go on through the gate to park.It will not be an arduous walk but do wear stout shoes/boots and dress for the weather, bringing waterproofs in case of showers.
It would be helpful to have some idea of numbers, so if you are interested in coming then contact David on 01633 875704 or John on 01633 866287
Hope to see you then!
Posted by: David
20/06/08 09:14:47 BST
Cwmbran Photographic Society are holding a walk around Blaen Bran Woodland on the evening of September the 17th, at 6pm, 2 miles only, bring a camera! It is advertised on the website below so I guess anyone can join in!
If someone from the society gets in touch with us we can open the chapel gate for them to park and avoid any problems in The Square, otherwise please park lower down in the bus bay. Thanks
Posted by: Chris
20/06/08 09:10:04 BST
You could pay a fortune for gym membership, or you could trudge down to your local swimming pool and spend the rest of the day smelling faintly of chlorine. BUT the best exercise of all might be the easiest and it is the cheapest: a walk in Blaen Brân!
The secret ingredient? Greenery.
Click the link below for more information
To Support us please get in touch with Chris, memberships are now due
Ł10 per year! A BARGAIN!
Posted by: Chris
24/05/08 07:11:48 BST
Our Annual General Meeting will be held on THURSDAY 15th May at Ebenezer Chapel,The Square,Upper Cwmbran at 7pm
Members are reminded that annual subscriptions are due following the AGM
Posted by: John
18/04/08 12:03:55 BST
Blaen Bran Community Woodland started with a grant from Cydcoed in 2004. This grant comes to an end very shortly with a great many objectives achieved including, most importantly, the purchase of Blaen Bran woods. We wish to acknowledge this with all those who have helped in making the wood what it is today.
Therefore we would like to invite members to the Queen Inn on Saturday March 29th at 3.30 PM for a finger buffet and glass of wine to celebrate the end of the four year Cydcoed grant. If weather permits we will also have a tree planting ceremony in the Woodland..meet at The Square at 2pm
In order for us to cater properly we will need to have a good idea of numbers attending so if you do intend to come along, please either reply to this email to roger206@btinternet.com , giving your name and how many are coming or phone Roger on 01633 875554 and leave a message with that information
Posted by: John
24/03/08 13:18:27 GMT
The "horse Loggers" arrived in the Woodland on Monday (th and have made a good start on thinning the larches.
John Bunce has brought 2 of his Clydesdales, Drum and Clyde and Frankie Woodgate has brough her 2 Ardennes, Jeton and Yser.
A WORD OF CAUTION
Tree felling and timber extraction can be DANGEROUS..please avoid the area of the Woodland where this work is being carried out and PLEASE keep all dogs on a lead in this area
Posted by: \\\john
10/10/07 08:16:12 BST
The demonstration of Horses working in the Woods is confirmed for Sunday October 14th at 11am
Please park in the car park,through the gates by the Chapel, in the Square in Upper Cwmbran
Posted by: John
30/09/07 09:15:05 BST
It is with great sadness that the Directors learned of the sudden death of one of our stalwart members, Aubrey Fisher, a long time resident of the Square in Upper Cwmbran, in mid September. Aubrey was a regular helper in the woods, and a real local character - he will be certainly be missed by his friends in BBCW.
Aubrey's funeral will take place at 11am on Tuesday the 25th of September at Gwent Crematorium.
Posted by: Directors
22/09/07 07:50:25 BST
We have had 2 mailicious fires in the last few days,Members and visitors are requested to be very vigilant and report any signs of fire or suspicious activity to any Director... Phone numbers are:-
Chris.....860858
David.....875704
Debbie....860821
John......866287
Posted by: John
16/09/07 21:04:45 BST
The larches at the top of the wood need to be thinned out and to do this we have secured the services of John Bunce who will do the work(taking about 3 weeks) using HORSE power.
He will arrive on October 9th and we hope to have a demonstration of his horses
working in timber on Sunday October 14th....watch this space for confirmation
and times. Click
here for more information on Horse Logging and John Bunce
Posted by: John
16/09/07 21:02:53 BST
On 28th September we have a moth watch..this is at 8pm so bring warm clothes and a torch.
On October 21st we have another of our popular Fungus Forage walks,there are many different varieties of mushrooms in the woods, some of them delicious to eat,come along and find out all about them from an expert. Childen must be accompanied by an adult.
Posted by: John
16/09/07 21:00:58 BST
33 acres of bracken were recently sprayed in an attempt to widen the bio-diversity of the Woodland and,as well as our continuing programme of planting a mixture of broadleaf and conifer trees,we now plan to plant several thousand smaller trees to include elder,rowan,dogwood and holly as well as some stands of willow and ash.
We are also looking to establish much more heather in the woodland.
Friends of the Earth are in the process of establishing a small plantation within the woods in memory of Mike Jacobs -this is being co-ordinated by Rob Crowshaw of FoE and will be called Jacob's Fold.
We have contractors carrying out on-going work,including view points,log seating and turning areas,this will continue for some time.
Our usual Sunday and Wednesday work parties continue, volunteers most welcome..meet at the Chapel gate at 10am, or phone John on 01633 866287
Posted by: John
16/09/07 20:58:03 BST
On Saturday August 29th the History walk ,meeting and BBQ were held in glorious weather.Roy Dixon lead the walk and the resolution to change our Articles of Association was passed unanimously,leaving the way for our application for Charitable status to proceed.
The BBQ that followed was enjoyed by all.
Posted by: John
16/09/07 20:54:50 BST
The easy way to enjoy the forest? If you wish to see the Forest from the back
of a horse then click below, all ages catered for.
Posted by: Chris
24/06/07 00:21:31 BST
Over one hundred Scouts of all ages took part in a tree planting exercise in the Woodland on Saturday 3rd March.Scouts from all over Torfaen,with Garndiffaith,Griffithstown,Llanyravon,Pontnewydd,West Pontnewydd and Henllys groups being represented,as well as a unit of FreeSpirit Explorer Scouts who's membership is drawn from throught the district.
Beaver Scouts as young as 6,Cub Scouts,Scouts and Explorer Scouts(up to the age of 18) all mucked in to plant over 600 trees
The exercise was to create a Plantation within the Woodland to commemorate the Scouting Centenary year of 2007,the trees were supplied by BBCW,they were mostly deciduous and included Oak,Ash,Alder,Cherry,Rowan and Dogwood
The going was somewhat tough,but all had a thoroughly good time,despite the occasional spell of bad weather
Thanks to everyone who helped to make the event such a great success with special thanks to our local Commissioner of Scouts Martyn Walters and our Woodland Manager David Parsons for organising the event
Posted by: John
11/03/07 15:18:18 GMT