No complaints about the weather this year - but the MUD!!
We counted 183 people over the stile into Doctor Wood at the beginning of the walk and there were lots more people back at the Pear Tree who preferred to take things at a more leisurely pace.
The Thieving Magpies get better each year and the Bradshaw Mummers might get better one year. (We're only joking)
This year's tale involved the crown heads of Europe, a dog what got shot, the Rock of Gibraltar and the hero was John Bull - who looked as though he was expecting - trouble?
The singing inside afterwards was quite outstanding - the Mummers rendition of 'Hail Smiling Morn' is fast becoming a classic.
Let's do it all again next year, but remember it will be on SATURDAY December 29th.
John Bull Defiant
Franco-British relations explained
Happy walkers en route
Thieving Magpies discuss who pays the bar bill.
Accordionist tries to appease various factions.
The Rock of Gibralter is moved to Norwood.
Sunday 18th December
East Pennine Orienteering Club held an event in Judy Woods which gave the opportunity to learn how to navigate using a compass and so find out where you are in the depths of the woods.
This the start just off Station Road.....
...and FOJW committee member Sheila with organiser Alistair at the finish
Saturday8th October - Fungi Walk
The weather may have been awful, but the company was good and the fungi plentiful
Wednesday 21st September - Autumn Ramble
A record attendance for this enjoyable stroll to sample the delights of the Kester Hole waterfall in Shelf woods. We crept up on it by a circuitous route and saw it from the same angle as this Edwardian postcard.
Friday 2nd September Bat Walk
It was standing room only in Woodside Community Centre for the slide show before the walk set off. Ian led around 40 people aged from 5 to 70+ into the woods as dusk descended. There was more activity than usual and the bat detectors were kept busy. We saw noctule, pipistrelle and daubenton bats.
Sunday 31st July Archaeology Walk
Around forty people turned up when Denis Waudby led a walk as part of the Festival of British Archaeology. We followed the mineral line through Low Wood and looked at various pits and other remains.
See Christine Johnson's excellent photos on Geograph
Wednesday 20th July Summer Ramble to Riding Hill via Jagger Park Wood
A select group for this ramble. We were lucky with the weather which stayed fine whilst much of Yorkshire had rain for much of the day.
Wednesday 18th May Spring Walk
A lovely walk through the woods and on to Norwood Green and Shelf before coming back down Snoddy Mountain. A happy group enjoying the fine weather unaware that it's going to be more than the five miles Brian promised us!
Friday 6th May 6.30pm Wild Flower Walk
A record turnout and this year we saw bluebells in their full glory. We were concerned that the due to the drought many beech flowers had been shed which means there will be less beech nuts this year. Other trees were also showing signs of stress due to the lack of rain. A pair of woodpeckers confirmed that it was possible to squeeze into the the hole high in a tree - a delightful end to good walk.
Sunday 10th April 2.00pm 'Under the Norwood Greenwood Tree'
Mary in full flow
Teaching of the multitude
On a hot Sunday, fifty people and the obligatory dog could be found in the woods learning all about the history of Judy Woods
Sunday 27th March 2011 2.00pm Geology Walk
Patrick Taylor led a party of eighteen along Royds Hall Beck, looking at the beds of sandstone, coal and mudstones. We were surprised to find that a substantial piece of rock had detached itself from the side of the beck by the small waterfall. Geology in action!
A chip off the old block
Monday 27th December 2010 - Seasons Greetings
Although it was a bit dodgy underfoot the woods looked beautiful in their white covering of snow.
Around 60 people and the occupants of a three seater pram followed part of the new marker path through Royds Hall Great Wood,
and many more waited for us to get back in the warmth of the pub.
Back at the Pear Tree pub in Norwood Green the Thieving Magpies Morris Team delighted the assembled crowd and excelled themselves yet again.
The Bradshaw Mummers were on form too - a compelling tale of the Seasons of the Year and what can befall poor Jack Frost if he meets up with the Green Man.
The crowd retired inside to partake of mulled wine and soup and many carols were sung and much ale drunk. See you all again next year!
Unexpected event - Dragging the Pram.
The Green Man in full flow
An icy stream in slow flow.
Mini-magpie looks and learns...
Eight Magpies morrising
Jack Frost lies dead, Bless!
Saturday 9th October 2010
Another popular Fungi Walk attracted people of all ages - and stumped us too - on several occasions!
We now know the example oppsite is Helvella lacunosa, Elfin Saddle
Wednesday 1st September 2010 - Autumn Ramble to Riding Hill and Jaque Royd
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.
Friday 30th July 2010 - Bat Walk
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 sixteen 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 pipistrelle 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 .
Batkids in training
"Ian was amazed.."
Wednesday 7th July 2010 - Walk to Lower Wyke
We never worked out what this structure was near the rec' at Bailiffe Bridge was!
Wednesday 5th May - Spring Ramble to Wynteredge
Six men, five women and three dogs enjoyed a springtime saunter to Wynteredge Hall and back.
Monday 3rd May 2010 - Bugs, Birds and Botany
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.
Yan & Ann lead the entertainment
Well, they enjoyed it!
Stuart, the apprentice bird box builder
Joan tries to coax up the bluebells
Bird feeding cake production line
Mr Punch shows off
Ian explains the techniques of "Bugsucking"
Centipede wrangling made easy
Saturday 17th April 2010 Geology Walk
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.
A leaflet about the local geology is avaiable on the Downloads Page.
Monday 28th December 2009: Seasons Greetings Walk
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.
10th October 2009: Fungus Foray
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).
A Unique Event!
12th Sept 2009: Friends of Judy Woods meet Judy Woods
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!
2nd Sept 2009: Autumn Ramble
A small but select band were led around the woodland perimeter by Peter Walker.
4th August 2009: Archaeology Walk
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.
24th July 2009: Bat Walk
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!
1st July 2009: Summer Ramble
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!
21st May 2009: Spring Flowers Walk
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.
6th May 2009: Spring Ramble
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.
25th April 2009: Geology Walk
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.
Ancient wave marks
Searching for evidence in the stream
12th March 2009: AGM
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.
22nd December 2008: Seasons Greetings
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)
4th October 2008: Fungi Foray
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.
5th September 2009: Bat Walk
Due to the dreadful weather the Bat Walk was cancelled. There will be another one in our 2009
programme.
12th July 2008 Woodland Celebration Day
This was cancelled
due to a clash of dates. FoJW attended Harold Park Gala instead.
2nd July 2008: Summer Ramble
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.
20 May 2008: Wildflower Walk
Once again our
expert Joan Dobson helped with identification of flowers large and small.
7th May 2008: Spring Ramble
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.
5th May 2008: Meet Judy Woods walk
Look who we met at her old
haunt - Judy North herself. She even had refreshments ready for us.
20th April 2008: Geology Walk
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.
11th March 2008: AGM
“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!
29th December 2007: Season's Greetings
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!
Theiving Magpies sweeping the floor.
Mary starts the walk.
6th October 2007: Fungi Foray
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.
18th September 2007: The Friends of Judy Woods AGM
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!
5th
September 2007: Woodland Ramble
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.
4th September 2007: Bats!
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.
25th July 2007: Woodland Tale
The Treehouse Storytellers led a lovely walk in the woods - tales were told and story sticks were made.
21st July 2007: A Day at the Beech with The Green Man
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!
Melissa Johnson painted as a ladybird.
The Green Man in Judy Woods
photo: Diane Charlton
4th July 2007: Woodland Ramble
Eight people joined Brian Ellison on this walk in the woods, which unfortunately due to the
poor weather was cut short.
22nd May 2007: Wildflowers
Joan Dobson led a group of about twenty people on this enjoyable and informative walk in the woods looking at ferns, flowers and grasses.
Joan Dobson showing
Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens
Wood Mellick Melica uniflora
Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea
2nd May 2007: Woodland Ramble
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.
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.
