If you go down to the woods today…………..

Den building, forestry skills and campfire cooking are just some of the things it is hoped you will see at Cawthorne Park Woodlands in the forthcoming years. Two Barnsley locals have come together to try and make the most of this 250-acre site. Len Batty who owns the wood and Lindsey Bielby who has worked in this field for the past 8 years both believe that the wood could be used to have a positive impact on many children and young people whilst making the most of this unused resource. The aim is to establish a charity to allow children and young people to access the wood and follow programmes that will help to build skills and increase confidence. Projects delivered will include development an area of the wood to enable full immersion in the natural environment for disabled children and young people, an environment centre to cater for groups using eco-friendly options to encourage people to reduce their impact on the environment and training programmes for young people to learn sustainable forestry and woodland skills.

Len and Lindsey are looking for people interested in becoming trustees for the charity. These people will have an interest in woodland activities and learning and will want to make a difference to the lives of local children and young people. We are also looking for volunteers who would like to get out and about in this beautiful woodland and help prepare areas for use, whilst learning or using woodland management skills. It is hoped that once up and running the charity can work closely with Barnsley Council to help ensure that the charity is fulfilling needs of the Barnsley area.

If you would like to be involved or if you have any equipment such as old mobile classrooms you would like to donate to help get the charity off the ground, please contact us via our blogg