Dear Friend
Happy 2016 from all the Hazel Hill team. As you will see below, this is an exciting time at the wood, with many new events, and great progress with our local outreach programme. I hope you can join us soon to share the magic of the wood.
With blessings
Alan
|
|
|
In this issue
NEWS
- Growing Progress
- Local Outreach: Already Underway
- Planning Application
- Hazel Hill Wood Open Briefing Event: Friday 15 January
- Looking back at 'rich pickings' in 2015
- Log processing at the wood
EVENTS
January/February
- Open Conservation Days - January 22, February 5, 12
- Winter Yoga & Conservation Weekend February 5 - 7
March
- Wild Soul Spring Retreat March 18 - 20
April
- Family Conservation & Nature Discovery Weekend April 1 - 3
- Nature Discovery Open Afternoon April 3
- Natural Happiness: The Roots of Resilience April 22 - 24
May
- Women's Deep Cleaning & Conservation Weekend May 13 - 15
|
|
|
|
|
Growing Progress
The move to charity status in summer 2015 has proved to be a catalyst for an exciting and creative new phase at Hazel Hill. One key to this has been Marcos Frangos joining us as General Manger. He brings a fine combination of passion and practicality, which has been a great benefit in many aspects of the project. We have some other important additions to our team, such as Tim Knight, our new Facilities Supervisor, and Louisa Clark as our Education Outreach Coordinator.
One aim of the new charity is to deliver more educational programs for local mainstream groups through our own team, and we are making great progress with this, see more below. This work is being led by Marcos, Louisa and Kate Steele.
The planning permission for the wood has had a low limit on occupancy since the first permission in 1994. This limits the amount of educational and conservation work we can do. After wide consultation, including three wildlife experts, the Trustees concluded that we should seek a moderate increase in the current occupancy limit, and a planning application is now underway: see more below.
The recent assessments showed that we are doing a good job overall on conservation, and that the human presence at the wood is actually beneficial for wildlife and their habitats. However, it also highlighted the need for a further increase in the amount of conservation work we do, and plans for this are already underway.
We were delighted to host our first corporate group doing conservation work last year, from Lloyd's Bank, and hope to involve a range of organisations in 2016. We also have a number of conservation days where individual volunteers are very welcome: see more here.
There's lots more progress to report, including improvements to facilities: see more in the next newsletter!
|
|
|
Local Outreach:
Already Underway
At the first Trustee meeting, the Trustees agreed to fund pilot educational programs with a range of local clients. We have had a very positive response to our approaches, and the first programs are already happening. The organisations already involved include two local primary schools, and Alzheimer's support group, Youth Action Wiltshire and others.
We would welcome approaches from other local organisations, and from individuals who would like to help as volunteers on these programs. If you are interested, please contact Marcos Frangos.
For more information on our plans, click here.
|
|
Planning Application
Since autumn 2015, we have been in consultation with Wiltshire Council, local councilors and residents about our proposal to increase the occupancy limit at the wood. In essence, we are seeking an increase from the original limit of 70 nights for all purposes to 80 nights for education and another 15 for conservation, plus an increased allowance for daytime-only groups for both purposes.
The reason for proposing such a low limit originally was to avoid any adverse impacts on wildlife: we are satisfied by the recent assessments that the proposed increase would not have any negative wildlife impacts.
We will be submitting our planning application by the end of January: if you would like to write a letter of support, or would like more information about our proposals, please contact Marcos.
|
|
|
Hazel Hill Wood Open Briefing Event: Friday 15 January
Hazel Hill Trust and the Hazel Hill Wood team were delighted to welcome local councilors, residents and organisations to an Open Briefing event on Friday 15 January 2016. This was the first event of this kind since the wood’s ownership transferred to Hazel Hill Trust in May 2015. Following recent briefings for neighbors and the parish councils about Hazel Hill Trust’s Education work and our proposal on occupancy limits, we recognised that a number of people wanted more information about the project, and a chance to visit the wood.
On a crisp winter’s morning our guests met members of our team, including Alan Heeks chair of the board of Trustees, Marcos Frangos, general manager, Jason Turner, Forestry and Conservation Manager and John Bailey, our caretaker. During the morning, people saw some practical conservation work with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s wellbeing group, as well as going on informal tours of our three off-grid eco-buildings, and a short tour of the wood led by Jason.
The event was well attended, including representatives of both local parish councils and the Headteacher and Deputy of Winterslow Primary School. Rebecca Bone, Headteacher spoke about their forthcoming visit to Hazel Hill Wood (as part of the wood’s local Education outreach program) and explained that they’ll be bringing a class to the wood to focus on woodland conservation activities, along with creative art and wellbeing activities; in time they hope to bring all their year groups to the wood, and our Education team look forward to establishing this ongoing collaboration.
The Hazel Hill Wood team were delighted to receive such encouragement from those who visited our briefing event, and we look forward to our ongoing and deepening contact with our neighboring communities. Don’t worry if you missed the chance to attend; if you’re local and want to find out more about the wood, you can always attend one of our Open access events, or perhaps participate in one of our forthcoming Family Conservation weekends - further details can be found on our website’s events pages. |
|
|
Looking back at 'rich pickings' in 2015:
We've enjoyed a year of great community events, retreats, walks and weekends and are looking forward celebrating a brilliant 2016 in the wood - thank you to everyone who supports us, and for anyone who might be wondering what the wood has to offer, here is our list of upcoming events:
22nd Jan - Open Conservation Day...
See More
|
|
|
|
And if you thought that getting our own firewood at Hazel Hill Wood was as easy as Coals to Newcastle – read on? Log processing at the woods.
|
|
|
|
January 22nd; February 5th; 12th
OPEN CONSERVATION DAYS
Members of the public are welcome to join us for open conservation days: tasks to suit all fitness and skill levels, and this is a great way to learn more about the diverse wildlife at the wood, and how our conservation work provides habitats for them. From scrub and habitat management to tree planting, thinning and path clearing. Anyone willing to learn and have a go is welcome! To book a free place, call Kate Steele, Education Outreach & Conservation Officer on her mobile 07787157025 or email conservation@hazelhill.org.uk More info... |
|
|
Friday 5th - Sunday 7th February
Winter Yoga & Conservation Weekend
Imagine a beautiful winter’s weekend with expansive yoga and taking part in gentle conservation activities.
Come and get your hands in the soil, come and nourish and be nourished by this magical woodland. Warm yourself by open fires, and be part of this unique weekend of conservation and yoga. More info... |
|
|
March 18 - 20
Wild Soul Spring Retreat
This retreat into nature is a chance to come together to celebrate the birth of spring and to mark the equinox, reflecting on what needs to be brought into balance in our own lives and planting the seeds and intentions for renewal.
The weekend will involve 're-wilding' explorations in the woods. In the evenings we will have time for storytelling and music around the fire, sharing nourishing meals, and staying cosy in the sauna. More info... |
|
|
April 1st - 3rd
Family Conservation & Nature Discovery Weekend
This will have all the usual fun of our Family Conservation groups: healthy outdoor work, good food, campfires, games for kids. Plus nature discovery on Saturday afternoon, see below. The weekend is suitable for all adults, and kids age 5 and up with a family member. More info... |
|
|
April 3
2.30pm - 4.30pm
Nature Discovery Open Afternoon
A rare chance to meet local experts and learn more about our wildlife, fungi, flowers, bees, and more. Also open to local residents. Free of charge. More info... |
|
|
April 22-24
Natural Happiness: The Roots of Resilience
How can we stay happy and fulfilled in our life and work in the midst of change and uncertainty? What can we learn from nature about deepening our resilience so that daily demands don’t deplete us?
This weekend we’ll be exploring these questions in the magical setting of a 70 acre wood in full spring. The first aim is to slow down, relax and be nourished. As we deepen into peace and simple presence, the heart of mindfulness, we’ll then explore how our sense of community can grow to include the collective wisdom of nature and the ‘more than human’ world as well as people. More info... |
|
|
May 13 - 15
Women's Deep Cleaning & Conservation
This weekend is an opportunity for women and girls to spend time attending to many aspects of what makes Hazel Hill Wood such a wonderful environment. We will each dedicate our time during the weekend to:
- giving a jolly good spring clean to the buildings
- tending to the parts of the wood next to the "Women's circle"
- taking turns in cooking for each other.
|
|
|
In 2016 and beyond, we aim to expand our team, and the range of events we offer. If you'd like to be part of this, please contact Marcos.
|
|
|
|
|
Subscribe
If you have friends who would like to receive Hazel Hill Newsletters every few months, just forward them this email.
If you've recieved this from a friend, click here to subscribe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
