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Sunday  2  March  -  BUSHCRAFT @ CHOPWELL - TENDERFOOT DAY   

See BUSHCRAFT page for further details  -  SORRY,  EVENT  FULLY BOOKED

Sunday  9  March    -    WILLOW WEAVING  

Have a go at this traditional craft and help add further willow structures to the woodland.  Learn how to weave willow and you will be able to create this in your own garden.  Bring a packed lunch and wear clothing suitable for the weather conditions.  Run by Friends of Chopwell Wood (FoCW)  and the Forestry Commission (FC).
Meet  :  Forest Classroom
Time  :  10 am  until  2 pm
Cost  :  Free  -  sponsored by Friends of Chopwell Wood (FoCW)
Booking essential as places will be limited  -  telephone 01388 488312

Sunday  13  April    -    EASTER RIDE

All horse riders are welcome at this popular event run by Chopwell Wood Horse Riding Association (CWHRA).  The 10 mile ride is along peaceful trails, allowing you to absorb stunning views of the Derwent Valley.  Price includes refreshments.  Further details at  www.cwhra.com
Meet   :   Main Car Park
Time   :    11 am start
Cost    :   £ 15 for CWHRA members,  £ 20 for non-members

Sunday  20  April    -    WOODLAND SPRING CLEAN

Help us spruce up the wood and clear out the dropped and wind blown rubbish.  Light refreshments for all who assist.  Gloves or litter-pickers, and bags are provided.  Organised by FoCW.
Meet   :   Main Car Park or Marx Terrace entrance at Chopwell village
Time   :   10.30 am  until  2.30 pm - drop in any time
Cost    :   Free  -  sponsored by FoCW

Sunday  4  May  -  BUSHCRAFT @ CHOPWELL - SPRING FORAGER  

See BUSHCRAFT page for further details

Sunday  11  May    -    HERITAGE & HISTORY WALK  

Learn more about the history of Chopwell Wood and visit some of the industrial heritage sites, accompanied by members of Friends of Chopwell Wood, signed by BSL user.
Meet   :   Main Car Park
Time   :   2 pm  until  4 pm
Cost    :   Free  -  sponsored by FoCW
Booking essential as places will be limited  -  telephone 01388 488312  -  SORRY,  EVENT FULLY BOOKED

Sunday  18  May    -    BASIC TREE IDENTIFICATION       Sorry, Event Cancelled

Join the Chopwell Ranger, John Butler, and learn basic tree identification by using leaves, branches, bark, buds and shape.  Organised by FC.
Meet   :   Main Car Park
Time   :   2 pm  until  4 pm
Cost    :   £ 3 per person
Booking essential as places will be limited  -  telephone 01388 488312

Sunday  1  June    -    CANINE CAPERS  

Great day out for dogs and owners.  For pampered pooches and scruffy mongrels !  Run by FC  in conjunction with CWHRA.
Meet   :   Main Car Park
Time   :   11 am start for entries
Cost    :   £ 1 per class

Sunday  8  June  -  BUSHCRAFT @ CHOPWELL -  BARK CONTAINERS  

See BUSHCRAFT page for further details  -  SORRY,  EVENT FULLY BOOKED

Sunday  15  June    -    DAD'S DAY DEN BUILDING  

Bring your Dad down to the Woods !  Just because it's Father's Day doesn't mean he can't help you build a super shelter.  Mums are welcome too !  For children 6 years old and over, must be accompanied by an adult.  Run by FC and FoCW.
Meet   :   Main Car Park
Time   :   1 pm until 3 pm
Cost    :   £ 3 per child
Booking essential as places will be limited  -  telephone 01388 488312

Sunday  6  July    -    FORESTRY DOG CUP CHAMPIONSHIP  

Bring your canine friend to this event, with special shows and fun competitions.  Also bring "poop bags" to ensure the woodland is kept clean - event is held in a picnic area.  Organised by FC.
Meet   :   Main Car Park
Time   :   10.30 am  until  4 pm
Cost    :   50p per entry
Booking essential as places will be limited  -  telephone 01388 488312

Saturday  26  July    -    WOOD ANT WONDERS  

Join ecologist Gordon Simpson for a tour through the world of wood ants.  The walk will be followed after lunch by a chance to do your bit for wildlife with some habitat creation.  Bring a picnic lunch.  Run by FC and FoCW.
Meet   :   Main Car Park
Time   :    10 am - 12 noon (walk), 1 pm - 3 pm (habitat creation)
Cost    :   Free  -  sponsored by FoCW
Booking essential as places will be limited  -  telephone 01388 488312

Tuesday  5  August    -    BUSHCRAFT FAMILY DAY  

An introduction to the art of Bushcraft, where you will be shown how to build a robust shelter, and light and extinguish a fire safely.  Organised by FoCW in conjunction with FC.
Meet   :   Main Car Park
Time   :  12 noon  until  4 pm
Cost    :   £ 5 per person
Booking essential as places will be limited  -  telephone 01388 488312

Tuesday  12  August    -    CHILDREN'S ADVENTURE DAY  

Wild woodland fun for kids only !  Explore the wood with the ranger and tackle the tree challenge trail.  Bring a smile, sturdy shoes, waterproofs, and your lunch.  Suitable for children from 8 to 12 years old.  Run by FC.
Meet   :   Main Car Park
Time   :   10 am until 3 pm
Cost    :   £ 5 per child
Booking essential as places will be limited  -  telephone 01388 488312

Friday  15  August    -    BBQ  RIDE

A leisurely ride through the forest for horses, ponies and riders of all shapes and sizes.  Finish with a BBQ.  Organised by CWHRA.
Meet   :   Main Car Park
Time   :   6 pm start
Cost    :   £ 10 for CWHRA members,  £ 15 for non-members

Friday  22  August    -    BAT  WATCH

An evening wander along the River Derwent, with expert Joe Shipley, to look for the bats which inhabit the area.  Learn more about these elusive mammals.   Bring a torch and wear warm clothing.  Organised by FoCW.
Meet  :  Lintzford Lay-by (A694 about 1 mile west of Rowlands Gill)
Time  :  8.00 pm   Finish about 10 pm
Cost   :  Free  -  sponsored by FoCW

Saturday  6  &  Sunday  7  September    -    WOODLAND WORKSHOPS

A new event consisting of two days of hands on workshops.  A fantastic opportunity for anyone who has ever fancied having a go at green woodworking.  Soak up the sylvan atmosphere in a spectacular ancient woodland site, whilst learning traditional rural crafts.  Local experts will be on hand to lead a variety of workshops.  Each will last a full day to give participants plenty of time to gain a sound introduction to the chosen craft, and to make something to take home.  Event organised by FoCW.

The following workshops will take place on both days, and each group will only have between 6 to 10 participants to allow for close and effective tuition.

Bowl Carving - Maurice Pyle           Create your own wooden bowl using hand tools
Willow Baskets - Phil Bradley          Weave willow to make a stunning basket
Willow Garden Structures - Ruth Thompson    Use willow to make wigwams, hurdles or living structures
Pole Lathe - Bill Oakes        Traditional woodturning and construction of hammers, mallets or mauls
Pole Lathe - Chris Helliwell        Woodturning with an emphasis on making goblets

The event is aimed at adults to allow the demonstrators to focus on the tuition.  Young people aged 14 to 17 years can book only if accompanied and supervised by a paying adult.  All places must be booked and paid for ahead of the event - bookings are via the Forestry Commission at Hamsterley Forest.
Please note that this is an outdoor event.  Minimal shelter may be available for some workshops, but sessions will mostly not be undercover.  This is England in September and you are learning outdoor crafts - please be prepared for dampness!

Meet  :  Chopwell Wood (further details will be given when booking is confirmed)
Time  :  9.30 am until 4.30 pm
Cost   :  £ 30 for one day (1 workshop) or £ 50 for two days (2 workshops) - this event is subsidised by FoCW
The price covers a full days tuition, all materials and lunch

Booking essential as places will be very limited  -  telephone 01388 488312
Please note - cancelled places cannot be refunded, unless the place is rebooked.
However, if FoCW cancel the event, then all payments will be refunded.

Saturday  13  September    -    HERITAGE & HISTORY WALK  -  2   

Another chance to learn more about the history of Chopwell Wood and visit some of the industrial heritage sites, accompanied by members of Friends of Chopwell Wood.  Event will be signed by BSL user, but must be requested and booked.
Meet   :   Main Car Park
Time   :   2 pm  until  4 pm
Cost    :   Free  -  sponsored by FoCW
Booking essential as places will be limited  -  telephone 01388 488312

Sunday  14  September    -    ORIENTEERING

If  you have never tried this, then here is a chance to ' have a go',  in an introduction to this popular sport.  Learn how to read a map and get some exercise, whilst seeing lots of woodland !  Alternate routes for those who would like a greater challenge to increase their skills.
Organised jointly by Northern Navigators Club and FoCW.
Meet  :   Main Car Park
Time   :  Start times between  10 - 10.30 am  Finish about  12 noon
Cost   :   £ 1  for map

Sunday  12  October    -    FUNGAL  FORAY  

An easy stroll with expert forest fun-guy Gordon Simpson and BSL interpreter, to discover more about the fascinating world of  marvellous mushrooms and terrific toadstools.  Chopwell has over 160 species of  fungi, discover which make a tasty meal and which ones are deadly poisonous.  If you require a list of the species found on the day, then please bring along a stamped, self-addressed envelope.  Run by FoCW  in conjunction with FC.
Meet  :  Main Car Park
Time  :  2 pm    Finish about  4 pm.
Cost   :  £ 3 adults, £ 1 children
Booking essential as places are limited  -  telephone 01388 488312

Sunday  2  November    -    COPPICING   

Get fit in the fresh air - join the Friends to learn an ancient woodland management technique.  Coppicing improves the diversity of habitats within the wood and yields timber for fencing and charcoal making.  Bring a packed lunch and wear clothing suitable for the weather conditions.  Organised by FoCW.
Meet   :   Main Car Park
Time   :   11 am until 3 pm
Cost    :   Free  -  sponsored by FoCW
Booking essential as places are limited  -  telephone 01388 488312

Sunday  16  November    -    WILLOW WEAVING   

Have a go at this traditional craft and help create a living willow feature in Chopwell Wood.  A great opportunity to learn how to make a willow feature in your own garden.  Bring a packed lunch and wear clothing suitable for the weather conditions.  Run by FC and FoCW.
Meet   :   Forest Classroom
Time   :   10 am until 2 pm
Cost    :   Free  -  sponsored by FoCW
Booking essential as places are limited  -  telephone 01388 488312

1  -  23  December    -    CHRISTMAS  TREE  SALES

The Region’s premier Christmas Tree Sales set within the traditional woodland site.   Forest fresh spruce, pine and fir trees, wreaths and decorations on sale every day.  Plus at weekends  -  woodcrafts,  refreshments and Santa too.  Get away from the overcrowded shops and the usual pressures of Christmas shopping, enjoy a refreshing trip into the woodland.  Buy your tree here and help support all the events and work funded by the "Friends" in Chopwell Wood.
Sales Point  :   Main Car Park
Time              :   8 am until  8 pm every day
Cost              :   Trees from £10  - choose from 1000's all individually priced