Celebrating local woodland

Photo: Laura Wild

Woodland Festival

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Children from groups across the borough joined together for the first time in an event organised by Rochdale Countryside Service.

Today (Saturday 26 September) marked the start of this weekend’s Woodland Festival at Healey Dell.

The aim of the weekend is to celebrate the local woodland by providing demonstrations and workshops for all the family.

Organiser Judy Alderson said: “Today is a little low key compared to what we are expecting tomorrow.

“We have children from the Hollingworth Lake group ‘Junior Helpers’ and also children from Healey Dell who are part of the ‘Young Friends’ group.

“This kind of event is a good way to get children out and about and learning about the local countryside as well as being able to take part in activities.”

This morning the children had the opportunity to make bird feeders before going on a bird watching walk.

Hugo Charlton-Jones, Events Co-ordinator for RSPB described the day as a success, he said: “We have had about 12 children with us today and managed a nice organised walk.”
The Woodland Festival will be on tomorrow (Sunday 27th September) from 11.00am -4.00pm with opportunities to have a go at activities such as building willow sculptures, chainsaw sculptures and wood turning.

The Junior Helpers and Young Friends groups are members clubs and they meet one weekend a month.

Ms Alderson added: “Tomorrow will give people the opportunity to have a go at new activities but also see what a great spot Healey Dell is.”

Let’s hope the weather holds out for fun at the rest of the Woodland Festival tomorrow. 

To find out more about Healey Dell visit their web site:

Healey Dell website...