| Past Events | Planned Events |
At last we had some lovely weather and what better way to spend the afternoon than checking that our new marker posts do indeed lead one safely through Royds Hall Great Wood. Then on through Jagger Park Wood to Jaque Royd and Norwood Green via a newly reinstated footpath past Ox Heys.
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Woodside Village Centre was booked and the equipment set up for the pre-walk presentation but outside it was throwing it down! So we were amazed when 16 children and adults turned up. Ian Butterfield gave us an informative introduction to bats in general and those which we might see in Judy Woods in particular. The rain had eased off, so we went into the woods via the new Tinker's Trail, but not expecting to see much.
Ian was amazed when we saw noctule bats emerge from a roost in a dead tree - the first time he'd witnessed this . Later on pipistelle bats came from the same tree and gave us a splendid display. As we trudged out of the woods we had to dodge toads crossing the path. An unpromising evening turned into an unexpected treat .
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Batkids in training
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"Ian was amazed.."
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We never worked out what this structure was near the rec' at Bailiffe Bridge was!
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Six men, five women and three dogs enjoyed a springtime saunter to Wynteredge Hall and back.
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The event took place on a very cold May Day, but enough sun kept coming through to warm us up as we watched the antics of Yan and Ann and some of their friends, including Mr Punch and his wife Judy. I hope our Judy and her husband got on better than they did!
Ian Butterfield of Bradford Environmental Action Trust took care of finding the BUGS. Suck on the green straw of a pooter and the insect lands in the jar - not everyone was convinced that this worked!
Brian and Sue had the messy task of showing people how to make BIRD feeding cakes.
Joan Dobson of the Bradford BOTANY Group had her work cut out as the bluebells haven't appeared in all their glory yet.
New FoJW Chairman Stuart Tordoff eventually mastered the art of constructing bird and bat boxes with assistance from John and Denis.
All in all a very enjoyable occasion to help celebrate the completion of our new Tinker's Trail path.
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Yan & Ann lead the entertainment |
Well, they enjoyed it! |
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Stuart, the apprentice bird box builder |
Joan tries to coax up the bluebells |
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Bird feeding cake production line |
Mr Punch shows off |
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Ian explains the techniques of "Bugsucking" |
Centipede wrangling made easy |
A perfect afternoon for a walk in the woods and yes, it was the Geology Walk not a knitting seminar! Alison Quarterman, of West Yorkshire Geology Trust explained how the different rocks had been laid down over millions of years with the use of this length of knitting. Each colour represented a different "age" only the last few centimetres represented the period when there had been life on earth.
We explored the stream bed, waterfall and small quarry by the sheep pool and were also treated to an explanation of the eruption of the volcano Eyjafjallajokull whose dust clouds were currently bringing the airports of Britain to a standstill.
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The sun shone for this event for the first time in quite a while and as usual it attracted lots of people. The icy conditions underfoot meant that we had to do a shorter walk than usual, but 116 children and adults enjoyed the winter sunshine and just getting out in the fresh air.
 The Bradshaw Mummers entertained us energetically once again with "Robin Hood" but the finer points of the plot were lost on most of us - including the cast! A splendid Thespian event.
The Thieving Magpies Morris Team topped and tailed the mummers performance. They get better each year and seem to multiply in numbers.
The event was rounded off with refreshments in the Pear Tree and singing by the assembled folkies. Our thanks go to Tony and Yvonne and their staff for coping admirably with the crowds.
Thanks to all who support us year by year and make this THE event of the year.
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Joan Dobson led twenty three people on our fungi walk. Thirty three species were spotted, including a new one for Judy Woods; Brittle Cinder (Kretzschmaria deusta)
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The treasurer of Friends of Judy Woods, Mary, meets Judy Woods all the way from
Victoria, Australia.
Judy was over here on a visit with husband Barry and came to see the woods that carry her name.
Pleased to meet you Judy!
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A small but select band were led around the woodland perimeter by Peter Walker.
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Denis explains about the mining in the woods. Some of it dates back to the late 1700s, during the time of Edward Rookes Leeds.
Later there was full scale mining of the area by the Low Moor Company in the 1800s.
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A good walk which got off to great start with a slide show at Norwood
Green Community Hall by Ian Butterfield of the West Yorkshire Bat Group.
We knew which bats to expect and armed with bat detectors we sallied
forth. One exhibitionist bat entertained us for a long period but others
were much shyer. It was too dark for photos!
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Our summer ramble to Lightcliffe old church and back took place on a very hot day. Here you can see thirteen walkers and Nellie the dog, resting in the shade before striding out to Lightcliffe Church and almost inevitably, The Sun Inn!
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Once again ably led by Joan Dobson of Bradford Urban Wildlife Group and Bradford Botany Group. We caught the tail end of the blue bell season and found wood mellick and wood anemones – both indicators of ancient woodland.
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Spring Ramble to Wynteredge and back Starting from Judy Woods we went via Norwood Green and Priestley Green to Wynteredge Hall for spectacular views of the surrounding area. We returned via Coley, and of, course Judy Woods.
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Our walk this year was led by Patrick Taylor, one of the Friends of Judy
Woods. Pat has a gift for explaining in simple language the complexities
of our planet’s past. We even managed to find a band of coal near the
stream – but it was very narrow. Not enough for a good blaze.
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| Ancient wave marks |
Searching for evidence in the stream |
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Formalities were kept to a minimum and following the AGM there was a presentation on Ancient Woodland by Ian Butterfield (left) of the Forest of Bradford and Bradford Environmental Trust.
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More than 130 people joined our walk through the woods and even more
watched the dance display by Magpie Morris and The Bradshaw Mummers and
joined in the singaround in the Pear Tree afterwards (right)
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Joan Dobson led another successful walk and three species of fungi not spotted in Judy Woods
before were noted.
Joan Dobson examines a log in Royds Hall Great Wood with a fine
specimen of crampballs (daldinia concentrica) on it.
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Due to the dreadful weather the Bat Walk was cancelled. There will be another one in our 2009
programme.
This was cancelled
due to a clash of dates. FoJW attended Harold Park Gala instead.
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A fine day in the
middle of some showery weather made for a splendid ramble through the fields to
the old house of Wynteredge near Coley and back again. Opposite you can see the group at Norwood Green.
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Once again our
expert Joan Dobson helped with identification of flowers large and small.
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A lovely sunny day for our walk to the Kester Hole waterfall.
Most people had no idea there was such a delightful place located in the woods, which can be found just below Berry Bottoms and Dean House Farm, on the path leading into Sun Wood, Shelf.
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Look who we met at her old
haunt - Judy North herself. She even had refreshments ready for us.
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Led by Alison Quarterman and Pat Taylor.
Despite the bad weather 12 hardy souls turned up. In the photograph you can see the group examining coal found in the beck.
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“Judy Woods This is Your life…”
Unfortunately we didn't have Michael Aspel to present it but we hope members were delighted by the guests and anecdotes relating to the Woods, as they were reminded of the events and people who have played a big part in the life of the woods over the past hundreds (and thousands?) of years. A time machine was necessary for transporting some of our guests to the event!
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Mary Twentyman led about seventy brave souls through horrendous weather
on a walk in the woods. They then returned for refreshments at the Pear
Tree Inn and for the annual performance from the Bradshaw Mummers. Their
play this year involved a Roman Legionary, King Caractacus and an elephant!
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| Theiving Magpies sweeping the floor. |
Mary starts the walk. |
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Seventeen people joined local expert, Joan Dobson, for this walk in the woods. A very enjoyable and knowledgeable walk was had by all.
In the photo Joan shows a Shaggy Ink Cap.
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Thanks to all the members (about forty) who came along to the AGM. The
committee gained three new members, which is fantastic news. Mary
Twentyman finished off the evening with another of her entertaining and
interesting shows - this time concerning the old postcards showing the
woods.
Right shows High Fearnley Road in 1910 with Old Hanna Wood to the left, Low Wood to the right. If only the road surface was so good nowadays!
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Geoff & Mary Twentyman led a small group on an adventurous and enjoyable
walk through the woods. Fallen trees proved no obstacle but we would
appreciate them moving from where they block the path.
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Ian Butterfield (Forest of Bradford and West Yorkshire Bat Group) led a group of
forty on a walk through the woods, where it's bat population put on one of the
best displays that our bat walks have seen.
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The Treehouse Storytellers led a lovely walk in the woods - tales were told and story sticks were made.
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The weather was
wet and so not many people (about 70) joined us for this event which had
entertainment from a Green Man, face painting, refreshments, stalls and more to enjoy.
Thanks to those that did make it out into the woods!
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| Melissa Johnson painted as a ladybird. |
The Green Man in Judy Woods
photo: Diane Charlton |
Eight people joined Brian Ellison on this walk in the woods, which unfortunately due to the
poor weather was cut short.
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Joan Dobson led a group of about twenty people on this enjoyable and informative walk in the woods looking at ferns, flowers and grasses.
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| Joan Dobson showing
Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens |
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| Wood Mellick Melica uniflora |
Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea |
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Peter Walker led this walk, which
started from the Station Road entrance. Eight people joined Peter (see pic
below) for a lovely walk admiring the wealth of wildlife in the woods, including
fine displays of bluebells and other wild flowers.
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Missing events? Can you think of any other
events that you would like to attend in Judy Woods? If the answer is yes, then please let us know - see the 'Contacts' page. |
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