January Newsletter

Welcome to Birchwood Learning’s E-Newsletter. Happy New Year! – I hope you had an enjoyable festive season and wishing you all the best (and lots of time in the woods!) for 2011.

Woodland Workout!
Sunday 16^th January 2011 (10am- 4pm) at Holt Hall, free!
Start the New Year by helping the woods at Holt and get a workout at the same time with other likeminded people! The day will consist of carrying out practical conservation tasks – Rhododendron bashing mostly! All volunteers will get a free hot soup lunch and a discount voucher for Birchwood Learning training courses.

Website Updates
Seasonal Stories – Check out this seasons facts, folklore and story!
Bushcraft – New page added outlining forthcoming Bushcraft opportunities.

If you go down to the woods today…. Trees in Winter Workshop
Friday 25^th February 2011 (9.30 – 12.30am) at Holt Hall, £20
Develop your knowledge and understanding of the uses and folklore of common trees species and how to identify them in the winter months.

Assessing for Danger!  Outdoor First Aid for Forest School
Monday 14^th & Tuesday 15^th March 2011 at Whitlingham Country Park, Norwich £150
I’m pleased to let you know that Andy Forsyth will be in Norfolk running his fantastic 2 day First Aid for Forest School ITC training course. This 16 hour course covers essential first aid in the outdoors for 1 years to adults (please note that it does not cover infants) and is designed specifically for Forest School leaders. It would also be very relevant for others working with groups in the outdoors such as field studies teachers, bushcraft instructors, teachers leading offsite visits etc.

Playing with Fire! – Fire Craft Fundamentals
1 day workshop – Saturday 7^th May 2011 at Holt Hall, £75
This practical day gets to grips with the skill of fire lighting and management. We look at different fire lighting methods, consider different tinders both natural and man-made, develop understanding of different fire lays and when it is appropriate to use each design.

Learning Outside the Classroom – Pott Row First School
Congratulations to Pott Row First School (West Norfolk) who won the eastern region 2010 award from the Learning Outside the Classroom Council. I know the school have worked hard to provide exciting outdoor learning opportunities for their school whether it is at Forest School, developing their school grounds or making visits to Houghton Hall estate. Find out more about Learning Outside the Classroom here.

Forthcoming Forest School Training in Norfolk
“The curriculum is outstandingly good. It is enhanced considerably by the extremely well planned use of the outdoor learning environment and through the ‘Forest School’ activities.” Ofsted Report – Erpingham Primary, Norfolk.
Raise achievement and develop the creative curriculum by embracing Forest School as an inspiring approach to raise confidence, self esteem, independence and thinking skills in learners.

• OCN Level 3 – Forest School Practitioner Award – Starting 28^th Feb 2011 at Whitlingham Country Park – Last few places available
• OCN Level 2 – Forest School Assistant Award – Starting 6^th April 2011 at Holt Hall – Limited places at a subsidised price
• OCN Level 1 – Introduction to Forest School – 21^st & 22^nd March 2011 at Fairhaven Water Gardens
• OCN Level 1 – Introduction to Forest School – 18^th & 19^th May 2011 at Holt Hall

Forest School Fashions! Forest School Training Company launch new clothing range
The Forest School Training Company have just launched their line of Forest School branded clothing! Please visit their webshop here.

New SDC Report: Improving Young People’s Lives: The role of the environment
The Sustainable Development Commission is pleased to announce the release of a new report: Improving Young People’s Lives: The role of the environment in building resilience, responsibility and employment chances. This report proposes a green thread through policy and practice, where the impact of the environment is considered alongside social and economic factors – the building blocks of sustainable development.

Ideas for Easter Hols – Family Bushcraft Day
Thursday 21^st April 2011 (10am – 5pm) at Holt Hall
Get away from the stresses of modern life and rediscover nature together as a family in the beautiful and relaxing woodland of Holt Hall. Spend the day with your nearest and dearest; building shelters, cooking on fires and crafting natural materials.

Books we like! – ‘The Woodland Year’ by Ben Law
Packed with stunning colour photographs, The Woodland Year is an intimate month-by-month journey through Ben Law’s yearly cycle of work, his naturally attuned lifestyle and his deep understanding of his woods. This book provides a fascinating insight into every aspect of sustainable woodland management; the cycles of nature, seasonal tasks, wild food gathering, wine making, mouthwatering recipes, coppice crafts, round pole timber frame eco-building (pioneered by Ben in the UK), nature conservation, species diversity, tree profiles and the use of horses for woodland work.

Links we like! – Becketts Army Surplus, Dereham Road, Norwich
Becketts is a fantastic store (and has an online shop too), they have a huge range of military surplus and new branded outdoor kit. The staff are friendly and hugely helpful and the shop is like a tardis with all sorts of things packed in there!

2011 International Year of Forests
The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. Let’s hope this gets more people into the woods!

Don’t forget to check www.birchwoodlearning.com regularly for forthcoming Forest School and nature based outdoor learning training.