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The "Baton of Cohesion" has been carried throughout the district's 30 wards as part of the City of Culture celebrations. This initiative aimed to connect communities and highlight the people making a difference. The baton, resembling an Olympic torch, was designed by Carlton Bolling School and was passed between individuals nominated for their contributions to their neighbourhoods. The month-long journey culminated in a family fun day at Odsal Stadium on Thursday 30th July. 

The Friends of Judy Woods carried the baton from Meadway at Woodside through the woods to Station Road where it then went on to Wyke Vicarage.

We received confirmation of our woods designation as a Local Nature Reserve just prior to the pre-arranged visit by Steve Parkes from Bradford Council accompanied by members of the Bradford Botany Group led by Neil Barrett.  The intention of the visit was to walk through as much as possible of our woodland to obtain an overview of its size, history and the type of different species that make it their home.  We were lucky enough to have two mycologists from the Mid Yorkshire Fungus Group in our party which was extremely useful in identifying numerous fungi during the course of our walk.  An extensive plant list was compiled throughout the visit and we were particularly excited to find a new one for our list discovered down High Fernley lane - the broad-leaved helleborine.  This was a rewarding visit, enjoyed by all, who commented on the diversity of species and complimented the Practical Task Group who do so much work to keep a well maintained environment for visitors.

Denis and his team have been clearing brambles and nettles and then digging in search of traces of Judy's cottage. And today with a bit of lateral thinking they have found signs at last. With previous attempts they have stopped when they hit clay. But thinking about other parts of the woods Denis realised that clay deposits have run off slopes and formed deposits on level ground. Today they continued digging after reaching the clay layer and bingo, there's a mixed up deposit of bricks and rubble.

Mary is a member of FoBALS (Friends of Bradford Archives and Local Studies) and has been involved in identifying and cataloguing some old carte de viste and cabinet prints found in the stack at Bradford Local Studies Library. It seems very likely that some of them were the originals which James Parker used in his 1904 book "Rambles from Hipperholme to Tong". Most of them are stamped (in red) Bradford Free Library. All the images of Judy Bridge and the people who lived there are already known to us, but what is really exciting is that two of them are the photographs from which drawings were made for his book "Illustrated History of Wibsey, Low Moor, Oakenshaw, Wike, Norwood Green, Judy Brig, Royds Hall, Coley and Shelf" published 1902.

Here we see the line drawings together with the original photographs.

These photographs are copyright Bradford Local Studies Library and must not be used without permission.

A stone was laid and a tree planted on Wyke Green in memory of "Mr Wyke" Peter Walker - our first Judys Woods chairman.

Rest in peace Peter. It was a privilege to know you!.

Geoff, Mary and Sally went to the Calderdale River Fly Partnership meeting at Bailiffe Bridge Community Centre and met up with some of the other volunteers who take samples on the various streams and becks feeding into the Calder. Mary had been asked to give a presentation on the industrial history of the becks feeding into Clifton Beck. We were all surprised at the amount of industry which had been present on what we now regard as rural streams.  The amount of pollution which must have come in from dye-works was particularly noticeable.

Committee meetings have started again at our new venue Woodlands Cricket Club. Not sure if this is goods news! We seem to have functioned very well just meeting as we were passing/working in the woods. We're waiting to see how things progress before organising any events

We are sad to announce that Committee Member and first chair of Friends of Judy Woods, Peter Walker has died, following a short illness. Peter was often called "Mr Wyke" because of all the community based work he did in the area. He was a member at Wyke Lower Moravians, a keen bowler and the chairman of Wyke Local History Group. We shall miss him immensely.

Denis led a walk in connection with British Archaeology Week concentrating on the QR code trail instigated by JAMES. A small but interested group of people joined us for a very enjoyable morning.

The Friends had a stall at the Woodside Neighbourhood Event organised by the council.  It was held in the small play area opposite the Woodside Community Centre on Fenby Avenue. Due to changing COVID rules it had been postponed twice and we managed to pick the first raining day for ages. Fortunately our table was under a gazebo which sheltered us from the worst of the elements. Despite the weather, lots of people turned up, probably because there was a free barbecue. We made some useful contacts and didn't need much tea that day.

St Michael and All Angels at Shelf under the leadership of Rev Gordon Dey have started to hold Forest Worship at the Woodside end of Judy Woods in what was our performance area. Some of us went along to support them and thoroughly enjoyed sitting peacefully under a canopy of trees with the evening sunshine filtering through as we sang hymns and paused to think about our surroundings, More Worship in the Woods sessions are planned.

Geoff, Mary and Sally finally got to test their budding River Fly skills on home ground or should that be home water? A couple of sites have been chosen on the beck for monthly sampling during the March to October period each year. The little beasties are caught in the net, transferred to a bucket and then identified and counted in trays. We were pleased to discover that our beck is in a healthy condition but should there be any issues in the future we hope to spot them before they become a problem, by sampling regularly.

Today would have been the 100th birthday of Mary Trossell nee Eastwood, the lady who inspired our Mary's Walk booklet. We left flowers at each of the marker posts on the walk and our volunteers that morning had their photos taken with them.

The council have started felling the diseased trees in Low Wood. It looks a sorry sight but is necessary to maintain the health of the remaining trees.  The timber will be left on site and allowed to rot - this is council policy as it is good practise to provide rotting wood for beetles and other insects.

Committee Member Denis Waudby gave a presentation for the Autumn Showcase of the Yorkshire section of the Council for British Archaeology.

Like so many things in these CORVID times, this year's meeting took place digitally on the ZOOM platform.

Entitled "Judy Woods Heritage Lottery Fund  Projects: Outcomes and Opportunities" Denis gave an introduction to applying for funding in general and then explained in detail how the Friends of Judy Woods had gone about applying for three projects The Roots of Judy Woods" 2005; "Tinker's Trail Project" 2009 and "JAMES Digs Judy Woods" 2013.

Unfortunately we won't be able to go ahead with our annual Balsam Bash event this year, the balsam is still there!
Can you help us by doing a bit of pulling as you walk through the woods?

Download instructions here

Bradford Council has recently appointed Ed Brightman as Assistant Woodlands Manager to replace Andrew Cutts who left to take up another appointment just before Christmas.

We were pleased to meet Ed one Wednesday morning towards the end of May and walked with him from Woodside, via Jagger Park Wood across to Station Road. Along the way we came across various members of the practical tasks group and (socially distancing ourselves) were able to welcome him to our woods.

As you can see it was a lovely hot day and Sally had been retrieving rubbish which had accumulated in the stream

In a report from Yorkshire Examiner Live we saw the results of ignoring warnings about swinging from ropes over tree branches. Added to the fact that some of our trees are at the end of their life and even stout boughs are liable to break in strong winds it was a timely reminder. Please head these warnings.

"A 42 year old man had a horror fall from a rope swing in front of his partner and two children in Judy Woods Wyke. One of the children had a go, and then when his dad had a go and the rope snapped throwing him down a steep banking and caused an open fracture to his ankle. He was left screaming in agony and was taken to hospital where his ankle was pinned and he will need further surgery once the swelling has gone down. His partner thanked paramedics and mountain rescue personnel., who were need to bring him up the steep bank"

The corona virus has meant changes in many parts of our lives. Thankfully the woods remain open for the public to use and many take advantage of their daily exercise allowance to visit them. Many of our volunteers use some of their allowance to litter pick as our Practical Task Group cannot meet as usual, so we go in as individuals when we can. PRG2020301

Another knock on effect is that more people are using the bins to deposit litter and dog poo. The bin at the top of the steps leading down to Judy Bridge is emptied by our volunteers and its contents have to be taken to Station Road where the council will pick up our litter bags. This is not a pleasant task at any time, but look at what the bin looked like over Easter!  For this reason we are asking you to take your dog poo and litter home with you, or deposit it in the bins emptied by the council on Station Road, Wyke: Meadway and Ullswater Crescent, Woodside and Village Street, Norwood Green.

 

The blue bells are making an appearance and by the end of the month the woods will be looking their best - so come along and enjoy them.

We continue to lose trees to wind, rain and Phytophthora disease.  This one on the perimeter path of Low Wood probably had elements of all three.

We've had some real deluges this month and some scenes in the woods we hope we'll not see the likes of again.

We've been devastated recently to discover that Phytophthora - the "Plant destroyer" has been discovered in Judy Woods. We urge all users of our beautiful woodland to read this article and act upon the advice of cleaning footwear, pushchairs and cycles after leaving the woods.

Chair and secretary of the Friends of Judy Woods, Geoff and Mary Twentyman, met Andrew Edwards of BBC Radio Leeds in the woods the other week to record an interview for his "Secret Spaces" spot. It was broadcast at an early hour on Saturday and Sunday 2nd and 3rd November but here's a link to the two short interview spots.

1. 2.

Today we had a visit from the Archaeology Section of the Bradford U3A following on from a talk Mary Twentyman had given at one of their Day Schools.

What most which struck members of FoJW as they prepared for the visit, was the change in the woods since our Roots of Judy Woods project back in 2004 when we had a phase one walk over survey done by the University of Bradford Archaeology department. Our PTG team have cleared away a lot of beech whips allowing paths to open up in different areas. Around the "doughnut" pits which made up the 18th century "Hanson Wood Colliery" the opposite has happened and they are disappearing beneath the undergrowth, This poses a problem as we were advised not to venture into the pit depressions in case they were capped by timber, which might now be rotten and were not backfilled with rubble,

U3A members were surprised at the evidence of mining still visible in the woods from the mineral line embankments and cuttings to specimens of ironstone nodules in the soil.

Today would have been the 75th Wedding Anniversary of George Henry Trossell and Mary Eastwood. What's that to do with Judy Woods? Well they were the couple whose letters feature in our very popular "Mary's Walk" leaflet. So to commenorate the event, George and Mary's daughter Wendy Faulkner and her friend Margaret accompanied FoJW Secretary Mary Twentyman on a celebration walk. It was a beautiful day and the woods looked their best. Thanks again to Wendy for sharing her parent's letters with us. You can get a copy of the walk at Wyke Library, Cafe Route 609, BD12 8HJ, Roy Waterhouses Bathroom Centre, Pear Tree Works Wyke, BD12 8HT or email info@judywoods.org.uk.

On Thursday evening 5th September some of the FOJW joined members of other like-minded local organisations for the second meeting of the newly formed Friends Group, co-ordinated by Andrew Cutts of Bradford Council. The venue was Northcliffe Woods between Heaton and Shipley. There was good turn-up with representatives from several groups including Northcliffe, Railway Terrace nature reserve (Low Moor), Prince of Wales Park (Bingley), and two woods in Keighley.

Val Harris and two colleagues guided us round the extensive and varied woods and fields and told us about the mining history in the woods, as well as the current work which is going on there. We were most impressed and it was a very worthwhile visit. Our evening was rounded off by a visit to the bowling hut, which hosts the Northcliffe group (wouldn't' we like something like that!) where we viewed poster displays of the history of the woods and present-day activities.

Many thanks to Val and her colleagues, and to Andrew for co-ordinating the Friends Group meetings. We look forward to more visits and finding out what is going on elsewhere in the district.

We are very sad to announce that due to the unavailability of our entertainment teams and their supporters, this year's Seasons Greetings event, which was due to be held on Saturday 28th December has had to be cancelled.
We are very sorry to have to disappoint you.

Friends of Judy Woods were the host this evening to members from other friends groups in the Bradford area connected to parks and woodlands.  The meeting was called by Andrew Cutts, Bradford Council's Assistant Trees and Woodlands Manager. He's attempting to resurrect this group that met in the past to offer support and ideas to Friends Groups engaged in similar activities. 

We had a short walk down to the bridge and back. On the way members of our group gave our guests a bit of the history of woods and members of the PTG shared what that group did. We had some very useful input from Andrew especially about the condition of some of our older trees and the problems we can expect as they succumb to disease and age related problems.  I'm sure we'll be telling you more about this in the future.

It was a very useful opportunity to hear what other groups and doing and share best practice.  We agreed to hold similar meetings in other locations and to encourage each other and share ideas.

One of our members tell us that RED KITES have been spotted over Judy Woods twice in the past week! So keep your eyes peeled.

Bradford Council attains highest accolade for sustainable woodland management
Council woodlands have been judged again to meet the internationally recognised Forest Stewardship Council's requirements for responsible forest management. The new certificate will run until 2023. This means that we can look forward to the districts woodlands being available “for all, forever”.  The 100+ woodlands, covering 856ha play a vital role in supporting nature, providing clean air and water, timber and health and well-being.
Certification provides a solid base for the Council's commitment to increase the area of woodland in the district from 8-10% to 15% and play its role in the development of the Northern Forest.
Councillor Sarah Ferriby, portfolio holder for Healthy People and Places said:  “Bradford District has some wonderful woodlands that are much loved by local communities. Some of our Ancient Semi Natural woodlands including parts of Judy Woods in Wyke are of European importance. Involving people in managing our woods is a key part of how we deliver sustainable woodlands. We have many Friends Groups who devote hundreds of voluntary hours to help keep our woods healthy and inviting places.  Our next challenge is to increase the number of woodlands and trees in the district to make sure that they continue to provide all the benefits that people and nature depend on against a background of climate change.”
Bob Thorp, Tree and Woodland Manager said, “Certification demonstrates that our woodlands are being managed sustainably by the Council. We know woodlands provide a home for  nature which is under enormous pressure and also a place where citizens and visitors alike can find some relaxation and fresh air. By managing to these internationally recognised principles we can make sure that these woodlands will be there for future generations.”

Woodside Cubs have been busy making bird boxes for the woods. They came with their leaders tonight to fix them to trees in Royds Hall Great Wood and we gave them "I'm a friend of Judy Woods" badges to show them our appreciation. Thanks guys!

We thank Andrew Cutts, Assistant Tree and Woodland Manager at Bradford Council for these photos of solitary bees Andrena clarkella and cleptoparasite Nomada leucophthalma. He says, “These are fascinating species with very interesting lifecycles and interactions/dependencies with one another.” Look out for them in Low Wood.

Three of us went for training in River Fly Monitoring and can now tell our olives from our caddis and our mayfly from our stoneflies.  We enjoyed donning our waders and braving the cold waters of the Clifton Beck at Bailiff Bridge. Once we get “our” patch of beck to test once each month we’ll be reporting on the health of the water via a count of each species on our recording sheets.  Thanks to the Clifton Beck Project for making this possible.

We were intrigued by this Scope Christmas card which appears to show a very rare sighting of a troop of penguins crossing Judy Bridge.

Do let us know if you have seen them too!

Here's Ian and Alan with Seonaidh (pronounced Shona) and Joseph of the Clifton Beck project. We met up to discuss how to tackle the Himalayan balsam removal, especially on the steep sides of the ravine.
An added bonus was the annual display of bluebells which are at their best at the moment.

We're planning a special Balsam Bashing event on Saturday 17th June and invite everyone who is feeling aggressive towards this villain to join us in our efforts. Click on poster for details

Thanks to all who clicked to support the Woodland Trust "Enough is Enough" campaign. The Government has recognised the need to make changes to the planning system to increase protection for ancient woodland and aged and veteran trees. New proposals are included in the Housing White Paper published in February 2017.  Click this link to read all about it.

We have to report that our container has been broken into and the doors damaged. All our tools, wheel barrows and sack carts have been stolen plus, our supply of bird boxes. Our Practical Task Group are devastated, but have continued to meet and we are currently using members tools until we can get some replacements. We are insured, but there is an excess which we will deplete our funds. If anyone has any contacts who might be able to help us out with new equipment, please get in touch.

We're very grateful to Muriel Shackleton for letting us have copies of some of her old photos taken in Judy Woods.
Those from the 1970's show some familiar features and some not.

The colour photos were taken in Low Wood in October 1985. If you look closely on no 4 and 5 you can see the stone wall adjoining High Fernley Road which has since been replaced by a metal fence.

Our Winter Newsletter was posted out to all members of the Friends of Judy Woods along with a copy of the booklet "Mary's Walk". If you would like a copy call in at Wyke Library or Roy Waterhouse's Bathroom Centre on Huddersfield Road . Or email info@judywoods.org.uk with your name and address.

We're getting used to the loss of the ash tree and now Bradford Council have erected wooden fences at the sides of the path leading from the bridge. The Scout Field was badly churned up by the equipment used to dismantle the tree and we've had to put on hold our plans for reclaiming the field for public use.

 

We are grateful to Calderdale Council and their contractors Jagger's Builders for doing repair work to the bridge and damaged stone work up High Fernley Road. In the upheaval we've lost the bench mark on the bridge, but the wings at the Norwood Green side are now keyed into the rest of the stonework and better than ever. We'll miss the old ash tree but Judy Bridge is still a very special place.

Members of the Tasks Group were alerted to a scene of devastation at Judy Bridge where our beloved old ash tree had crashed down during the heavy rain of last night. It took with it part of the parapet of the bridge and blocked the way into the woods from Sowden Lane. It's appeared on countless photos in its long life - the first one in the 1860s when John O'Judys proudly posed for the camera. In Edwardian times two gents lean against it for support, on a black and white postcard and more recently in winter.

Carver Tony Lunn has been at work again - this time on the main Access for All Path through Doctor Wood from Station Road where a fallen tree trunk has come alive again with a family of owls hiding in its trunk and branches.

We're launching a new walk leaflet called Mary's Walk - the Woods in Wartime (see Events page for details of joining us).
It was inspired by a letter Mary Eastwood of Wyke wrote to her future husband Harry Trossell on 26th July 1942 - hence the walk's launch date.
We've just taken delivery of 1,000 copies of the leaflet which have been sponsored by Mary and Harry's two children.
Don't worry if you can't manage tp join us on that date, as following the launch, the leaflet will be available to pick up at Wyke Library or Roy Waterhouses's Bathroom Centre BD12 8HT and also as a download on our website.
The walk is about 3miles in length and you should allow at least two hours.
We hope you enjoy the walk as much as we have enjoyed compiling it.

Why not go and check out our new wood carvings down High Fernley Road at the entrance to Old Hanna Wood?
We're indebted to Tony Lunn who created our Green Man and transformed a felled tree into a seat where you can contemplate the view in the sunshine.
Thanks to Bradford Council whose reciprocal agreement with Tony covered the work. To Chris Hill for introducing us to Tony, and Sheila Lum for co-ordinating the project.
Watch out for more wood carvings appearing in the woods in the weeks to come.

At last year's AGM it was all change with the Officers positions, but we are pleased to report they all stood for re-election this year.  We had a good attendance and we were particularly pleased that Ian Downey agreed to join the Committee.  Mary Twentyman gave a presentation called "From our own Correspondence" showing the weird and wonderful things we have been given by interested members and friends since the group began in 2002.  The highlight was a video of local folk singer Roger Davis performing his song "Judy Woods" IN Judy Woods.  See it for yourself on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YL6HhKb4e8

We now have our own Facebook page entitled Judy Woods (Wyke). Look for the profile photo of the information board at Station Road.
There's a shared photo album available to "friends"
We hope to see you there!

Wendy Faulkner and Steve Trossell have sent us a copy of a love letter sent by their mum to their soldier dad in 1941.  It describes a walk through Judy Woods in tremendous detail - we can recognise the route but there have been subtle changes in the years in between.  They want to share this letter as a memorial to their mum and we are preparing a walk and accompanying leaflet which they have sponsored in their parents memory.  So book the date - Sunday 26th July starting at 2pm from Wyke Methodist Church BD12 8JB further details will appear on the events page in due course.

We've just heard that we have been lucky enough to be awarded a free pack of tree saplings by the Woodland Trust.  The 105 trees promise all year round colour and we'll be planting them during March, probably in the Scout Field and Judy's Field area near the bridge.

The Practical Task Group have been working in Judy's Field for some weeks past preparing the top section near the path. First they cleared the brambles and then Ian Butterfield of the Forest of Bradford got volunteers to dig the ground over ready for planting the trees.

June 2014

There's been a lot of activity in the woods recently where the council have attended to fallen tree boughs and stacked the wood so it rots away to provide habitats for beetles. In Royds Hall Great Wood their contractors have considerably thinned down the trees under the pylon wires and there are some interesting vistas down to the stream.  It will be interesting to see how this management plan progresses and we expect new species to move in as the light is no longer blocked by the canopy.

At this year's AGM we appointed some new officers - or should we say we moved them round?

Chair - Geoff Twentyman; Deputy Chair - Denis Waudby; Secretary - Mary Twentyman; Minute and Membership Secretary - Linda Paul; Treasurer -Stuart Tordoff

Sheila Lum took over as editor of the newsletter

Sally Tetlow will help Stuart as Treasurer

Alan Williams continues as Practical Task Group Organiser with assistance from John Riley

Mary Twentyman continues to update the website. The valuable contribution of Steve Gaunt as webmaster was emphasised.

The meeting was very well attended and we particularly appreciated the attendance of Bob Thorp the council's woodland manager

Following on the official part of the meeting Denis Waudy gave us a fascinating insight into what can be achieved using LIDAR and we were treated to some LIDAR images of Judy Woods.

At today's Committee Meeting we discussed implementing Bradford Council's  Green Dog Walking initiative where dog walkers are encouraged to "Sign the Pledge"to encourage other dog walkers

• to always clean up after their dog
• to carry extra doggie bags
• to gladly give you a bag for your dog - just ask!

For a leaflet and further details go to the "Your Community Pages" of www.bradford.gov.uk or email greendogwalkers@bradford.gov.uk

Graham, a regular walker in the woods, spotted this large bird about 50 yards away from him. It was being mobbed by crows and magpies.
Stuart Tordoff, our bird expert, thinks it's a common buzzard. Might be common, but not in our woods!
If you see this bird again, or any other unusual species, please let us know.

Our ageing beeches (some are going on for 200 years old) continue to lose branches and we ask for you to be vigilant and let us know when this happens (contact tasks@judywoods.org.uk)  A recent fall closed High Fernley Road but the council acted swiftly to clear it.  In the present cuts climate, falls within the woods especially where main paths are not effected might not be acted on so speedily.  Our Practical Task Group try to keep paths clear but those requiring heavy machinery are beyond our resources.

This giant blocked High Fernley Road and took the metal fence with it.

...and it managed to fall in the opposite direction as well.

This is the second time this tree in Low Wood has lost branches

This tree in Old Hanna Wood was well rotted and was going to topple soon.

The "JAMES Digs Judy Woods" project was officially launched today. Here's Denis Waudby who led the project for the Friends explaining what it's all about.
For further details see the "Projects" tab or http://www.james-digs.org.uk/

31st July 2013

The supposed "vandal proof"  notice board at the Woodside end has unfortunately suffered a second attack, We've replaced the perspex and Ray looks pleased with the results.

 

A lot of our beech trees are beginning to show their age. Among the latest casualties were the one which was badly leaning over the path down from Judy Bridge and our beloved grand daddy tree up in Royds Hall Great Wood. A branch from higher up the tree fell onto the long one which extended over the path and brought both down. At the moment the path is blocked but the PTG group have made a way through until the council can get down and attend to it.

9 July 1853

Some Old News!

Found in the Leeds Intelligencer Saturday 9 July 1853 (it also appeared in 5 other regional newspapers)

SABBATH BREAKING
On Thursday, in the Court of the West Riding Magistrates, Judith North, of North Bierley, was fined 5s and costs, £1.1s.4d., for having sold a pennyworth of nuts on Sunday, to a boy names Adam Wilkinson.  The complainant was a constable of the township, named Edward Handforth

Sunday 7th July 2013

Here's local folk singer/songwriter Roger Davies appearing at the Commercial Hotel as part of Cleckheaton Folk Festival. What's he singing?  "Judy Woods".  Yes, really! A song in appreciation of our beautiful woodland and requested by our treasurer.

See Roger's website http://www.rogerdaviesmusic.com/ and you can download the song from https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/roger-davies/id30448731?ign-mpt=uo%3D4

May 24th 2013

Great News!  The JAMES project which we worked with on the Picture Trail has been successful in gaining Heritage Lottery Funding for a project called "JAMES digs Judy Woods"
There's an official launch on Wednesday 29th May at 14:30-15:30 at Low Wood, (Station Road end), HX3 8QD. Do come along and support them or visit their website www.jas-bmep.org.uk to find out more about what they do.

 

May 8th 2013

Thanks to Bradford Council for providing two new sturdy waste bins on Station Road and at the top of the steps by the bridge to replace the ones which were vandalised.  Members of the Practical Task Group will continue to empty these each week. 

February 6th 2013

Chairman Stuart Tordoff, Vice Chairman Geoff Twentyman, Treasurer Mary Twentyman, PTG Co-ordinator Alan Williams, and Committee Member Peter Todd attended the official presentation of the cheque from Masonic Charities - Lightcliffe Lodge by proposer Bert Barrand. 

We thank Masonic Charities - Lightcliffe Lodge for our new high visiblity  jackets and take this opportunity of showing them off before they get dirty!

19th December 2012

We are pleased to announce that at long last we have been able to install two bins for dog poo bags in the woods. People have been asking us for a long time why there are no bins. The problem is that someone has to empty them and we have not been able to get new bins added to the council's emptying programme.
After discussion with the council the FoJW have paid for two containers and will supply bags on a regular basis. Members of the Friends Task Group have agreed to make sure they are emptied regularly and new bags supplied.
One is located at the Norwood Green end of Station Road where there is no litter bin and the other at the top of the steps down to Judy Bridge off High Fernley Road in Low Wood.
We hope dog walkers will use these bins and put an end to the sight of abandoned poo bags in the woods.

Do you remember the Woodman's Hut?

This photograph has just come to light in some slides belonging to the late Charlie Sharp of Wibsey.  For those of you of tender years - this hut stood at the junction of High Fernley Road and Royds Hall Lane.  You can still see plants which were escapees from the garden in this vicinity.  The hut, with smoke rising from it's slender chimney, was a feature on the woods up until the early 1907's. 

Look who it is! Yes, Varsha, our new Fungi Expert and the other three look familiar too.
Varsha went down to the RSPB reserve at Ynys-hir where Springwatch is being filmed and met Michaela Strachan, Martin Hughes-Games and Chris Packham - lucky girl!

The first two sections of our exciting new Picture Trail were launched at our "At Home" event

The idea is that with the help of the maps and photos you scour the woods looking for the red and white control points
The number in the red portion will correspond to a  photograph taken near the location of the control and you should note the reference letters in the white portion on the answer sheet.

We are indebted to PALZ (Play and Learning Zone) who had the idea in the first place and thank them for putting the control in place.

At the moment there are trails completed for Low Wood and Old Hannah Wood.  One for Royds Hall Wood will follow shortly. Click on the links here or the downloads page to open the pages for printing.

We hope you enjoy challenging your family and friends to see who can complete the trail first!

Following the far stile on Station Road being demolished by a falling tree in the winds a couple of weeks back the fence has been reinstated and a new stile installed.  Thanks to the council for prompt action.

After leading our wild flower and fungi walks since the Friends started in 2002 Joan Dobson has decided this will be the last year she will officially be involved. As a "thank you" we have presented her with a voucher and framed memento from the Friends. Thank you Joan for sharing your knowledge in such an enjoyable way over the past ten years.

Photo shows treasurer Mary, Joan with her gift and chairman Stuart

We've just had this 3D map of the area around the woods made for us Mr Tony Davies of Elland. It has been given by Mrs Mary Shepherd of Ellistown in Leicestershire in memory of her late husband John who loved to walk his dog in Judy Woods.
We are hoping to find a permanent place for the map and will let you know when a home for it is finalised.

Thanks to the council for funding the new chestnut fencing beside the steps up from Judy Bridge alongside High Fernley Road. We appreciate the contribution of Ian Butterfield of the Forest of Bradford to making this possible.

1 December 2011

Don't forget to renew your membership. This year it's gone up a whole 100% to the dizzying heights of £2 so we can cover postage. There's a form on the download page which you can use.

If you are a member and you've not received the Winter Newsletter either through the post or an email reminding you it's available for download, please contact info@judywoods.org.uk

14 November 2011

Another Information Board has been erected, this time at the Woodside end of the woods. Thanks to Grass Roots Grants for the funding and Bradford Parks and Woodlands for erecting it for us.

10 October 2011

We're on the Map!

For some time the Friends of Judy Woods have been frustrated that the words "Judy Woods" do not appear on Ordnance Survey maps.  It's very awkward when trying to describe where we are to some who is unfamiliar with the area.  On some larger scale maps the individual names of the woods such as Low Wood, Old Hanna, and Royds Hall Great Wood do appear. Even the tiny Judy Wood (the small wood behind Judy's field at the bottom of Royds Hall Lane across High Fernley Road from the steps) gets a mention on some very large scale maps, but the name by which the public knows the woods, does not appear.

So a number  of years ago we wrote to the Ordnance Survey and asked if it would be possible to include the name on maps seeing it was the third largest woodland in Bradford Met!  They wrote back to say that if and when they updated printed maps the name would appear.  We didn't hold our breath!

If you want to look at it go to

http://labs.nationalarchives.gov.uk/wordpress/

then click on Valuation Office map finder and put Bradford in (Bradford, Bradford is the choice) and navigate down.

So at last we on the map!

Dry Stone Walling Course June 2011

Nine members of the Friends attended a three day Dry Stone Walling Course held over two weeks. Our tutor was Nick Milsom from B.E.E.S. (Bradford Environmental Education Service). We practised on a wall down the banking to the right just inside the entrance nearest Norwood Green on Station Road, Wyke. The topping ceremony to replace the coping stones was carried out in a heavy downpour and our photographs look as if they were taken at midnight!

As a result of a Grassroots Grant received last year we have just erected a new information board in Station Road to replace the old one which had been vandalised and became unreadable. Another grant received last month will enable us to buy a similar sign for the Woodside entrance.

In case you're wondering what it says, a copy of what is on the board can be accessed by clicking here.

Mary and Geoff celebrate that at long last our new notice boards have been installed. This is the one on Station Road Wyke. There is another just inside the entrance to Royds Hall Great Wood at Woodside.

Pictured are four ladies from a walking group who were passing by and took great interest in the new board.

Sue, Marilyn, Diana and Glynis of the Kirklees NHS Retirees Group

Our Top Ten
Bradford Community Broadcasting 106.6 FM
12 noon on Tuesday October 19th 2010

Your intrepid Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer will be on BCB's Our Top Ten programme.
This is where you get to hear from local groups and organisations about what they do and why they do it. Along the way you will get to listen to some of our favourite pieces of music.

Please tune in if you can or listen online at http://www.bcbradio.co.uk

24th July 2010

A new "horse friendly" gate has replaced the one which was stolen from Royds Hall Lane by the entrance to Old Hanna Wood.

Judy Woods (and husband Barry) inspect the sign near to the new gate. This is their second visit from Australia. We're honoured that the woods are worth coming so far to see!

21st May 2010

Shelf Junior and Infants School did a Sponsored Walk from Station Road. The photo shows Mr. Sykes checking the children in at the entrance to Judy Woods.

24th April 2010

More good news from Grass Roots Grants. We have new funding to enable us to replace the defaced information board on Station Road which gives the history of the woods.

18th March 2010 AGM Thursday

Peter Walker, our chairman told us at the 2009 AGM he would not be seeking re-election this year. We are very pleased to tell you that Stuart Tordoff was elected to this office. He has been an active member of the FOJW for several years, and much of the work done by the Task Group has been the result of Stuart's initiative and drive. He will be continuing as an active member of the Task Group, along with several other committee members and volunteers. The official Task Group representative on the committee is now John Reilly, who himself has done some sterling work over the last few years.
Our grateful thanks go to the retiring Chairman, Peter Walker. Peter chaired the group from its formation in 2002 and has been involved in all aspects of its work, including liaising with Bradford Council, organisations, the media and many members of the public. He has not retired from the committee, however, and will no doubt be just as active in the work of caring for Judy Woods.

12th March 2010 More leaflets

Bradford Council has reprinted the Judy Woods walks leaflet in their "A Breath of Fresh" series.
It's still available as a download from this site, but paper copies can be picked up from Wyke Library of at FoJW events.

Monday 15th February 2010

At very short notice we opened Tinker's Trail on Monday 15th February. Councillor Anne Hawkesworth cut the ribbon assisted by members of Barrie's family.
Photograph shows Mrs Janet Tinker and children Hannah and John

December 3rd 2009

We've just heard that we have been awarded another Grass Roots grant - this time to cover the cost of a new vandal proof notice board to replace the one on Station Road which has been damaged. 

November 19th 2009

We have applied and been accepted, for funding from the Bovril Great Outdoor Revival.  Any money we receive will be used for repairs to walls in the woods. We need your support and should be obliged if you would cast your vote by visiting the website http://www.bovril.co.uk/revival/ using the project code: YHOT000065

November 6th 2009

Our new wheelchair/scooter access gates add the finishing touches to the new 'Access for All' Path.

The top photograph shows the gate at the entrance to Royds Hall Great Wood, the photograph right shows the gate at the entrance at Ullswater Drive.

November 1st 2009

Our new, revamped website went live on November 1st - with more pages, more links, bigger and better images and new sections including a downloads page. We hope you like it!
Our thanks to Steve Gaunt of CalverleyInfo for his efforts.

October 2009 - Access for All path from Ullswater Drive, Woodside

If you go down to the woods today you're in for a big surprise.... no, not teddy bears, but our new Access for All footpath. It was made possible by support from a Community Spaces Grant, part of the Big Lottery Fund. The path will give access for wheelchairs and motorised scooters. Two specially adapted gates are due to be installed within the next few weeks and later picnic benches and resting posts will be added. A leaflet is being prepared which can be download from this site.

A new Performance area has been laid out at Woodside in Royds Hall Great Wood. No doubt this will prove very useful when organising events in the woods