Public Survey Results
Through October and November we ran two public surveys – a User and a Non User Survey. 7,000 leaflets were distributed to homes nearby and people were invited to complete the surveys on line or call us for a questionnaire. Around 300 replied to the two surveys. Thank you.
What people told us is now available online here and summaries are on the notice boards around the park. They can be linked to below
When we say “full” we really mean it – if someone typed it – you will find it here – apart from contact details of course. If you want to find these documents in the future, when this post has long since disappeared down the page, then they, with a lot more documents, can be found on our downloads page. Happy Browsing!
January Update
The very severe winds last week did some major damage to 6 trees in the park. Some came right down and others lost branches. We know the winds were exceptional and the trees that were damaged were not ones that had been identified in our recent tree survey as in need of urgent attention. (Those have all been attended to.)
Fortunately no people were hurt or property damaged, but it does bring home to us the need to be vigilant in our management of the site.
On Saturday January 21st the West Midlands Schools Cross Country Championships will be held in the park. The route will be mainly in the meadow, but it will not prevent others from walking there. Perhaps you’d like to go and cheer on these athletic stars of the future.
We have three events in February, none of which have taken place here before. On Sunday 12th we are holding a Star Gazing evening. This is being run by the Birmingham Astronomy Society and they will be bringing their telescopes for us to use. They have chosen this date as they think there will be a lot to see. The event will take place near the Pavilion so if it’s cold you can pop inside and have a drink and a warm. It is from 6 pm to 9 pm and you can drop in any time between those hours.
If it’s cloudy the astronomers will give an illustrated talk in the Padgham Room. Cost is £3 for adults, free for children, and includes drinks.
On Wednesday 15th (half term) Steve Hodgkinson from the Living Landscapes project will be running a Willow weaving session based at the Pavilion. Steve will help you create things like wands, fish and spiders which you can take away. This will be using willow that our volunteers cut down earlier this month in the Wilderness. The event runs from 10 am to 12 noon and is free. Although primarily for children, adults will also be welcome.
On Saturday 25th we are holding the first training session for volunteers who want to learn how to take oral histories. This is the start of our HLF funded oral history project. Once the first group of volunteers are trained they will start to do some interviews and the project will develop from there. If you would like to take part in the training, which is free or would like to be interviewed about your memories of Warley Woods, please get in touch with Viv Cole, Trust Manager (420 1061). The training is from 10 am until 4 pm and you must book your place.
Walk for the Woods, our big fundraising event, takes place on Saturday March 17th. This year we are suggesting that our supporters bring along a group of people, maybe from your workplace, your sports club, your brownie/scout/guide group, your book club—or any other group with which you are involved. Participants can either recruit sponsors or make a donation for walking in the park. It’s up to you! The most we have raised in the past is £1500 so let’s see if we can double that amount this year. The event starts at 10 am and the last people can go out at 2 pm.
Learn Golf in a Day courses will be held every month this year starting on Sunday February 5th from 10 am to 1.45 pm and the cost is just £25. To book contact the golf shop (429 2440) or Greg Lynch, the Professional running the course (07812 579929). Future courses will be held on March 11th and April 1st.
There will also be half term golf camps for children of all ages and abilities.
These are on Wednesday 14th, Thursday 15th and Friday 16th February from 10 am to 12 noon.. Cost is £10 per day, but reduced to £25 if you book all 3 days. Again, these can be booked via the shop or by ringing Greg.
West Midlands Cross Country Championships 21st January
These championships will be held at Warley Woods from 10am – 1pm with lots of competitiors in a range of categories. The course will be in the meadow (large grassed area)
Feel free to come and watch and support the young people taking part.
Big Garden Bird Walk Saturday 28th January 10am
Come and learn about the birds in Warley Woods with Liz Coleman, RSPB and Community Trust Volunteer. Liz will help with the identification of birds and walkers will record their sightings which will be fed into the RSPB’s Big Garden Bird Watch figures. Cost is £2 for adults with children free and a drink in the cafe afterwards included. Meet at the Pavilion.
December Update and Christmas Opening Hours
Santa was our last event of the year, and despite the rain he arrived in the Woods on time and the children followed his sleigh along the carriage drive to his magical grotto in the Pavilion, where he gave out presents and had his photo taken. He had also been in his grotto on Saturday and was there all afternoon giving presents to children who had booked in advance. Organising an event such as this involves a lot of work. Thanks to the 38 volunteers and 3 members of staff who helped with the Santa weekend – and we’d also like to thank the group of unpaid workers in the community who helped clear the car park and put up the marquees on Sunday morning.
2012 calendar of events is mostly confirmed and those of you who are members of the Trust will have received a copy of the calendar in the edition of the Leaflet that went out this month. For others, information will be on this website and notice boards. As taster for the year some of the events are listed in the post below this one and a few more here.
The Oral History Training Day will be held on Saturday February 25th starting at 10.30 am. If you are a good listener and woud like to hear people’s stories directly, then perhaps you would like to train to be an interviewer? If so, please let Viv know as soon as possible. We think there will be a lot of demand for this so first preference will go to volunteers and members of the Trust. If you are not a member and would be interested please also let Viv know—and you could also join the Trust at the same time!
Our third Walk for the Woods is taking place on Saturday March 17th. This year we are encouraging groups as well as individuals to come and walk. So why don’t you ask your family, or your class at school, or your brownie group, or your Pilates or Yoga group – or any other group with which you are involved - to come and get some exercise and raise money for the Trust at the same time.
Are there any designers out there who would like to volunteer to help with the design of our posters that go on the notice boards? It would be really helpful if these could be done well in advance so that when the event approaches we have the posters ready to go up. If you are interested in helping with this please contact Viv or Kathy at the office (420 1061).
Thanks to all those of you who returned the User/Non user surveys. We had over 280 responses and these will be used when the Trustees consider plans for the future at their planning day in February. The results will be here on our website and a summary will be put on the notice boards in the New Year. Although the date for the return of the questionnaires is now past this does not stop you letting us have any thoughts/comments etc about the site and the facilities here. It’s your park and the board and staff rely on you to tell us what you want or how you would like to see things develop. Please keep your comments coming!
The winner of the box of chocolates was Dawn from Tividale. Hope you enjoyed them!
Learn Golf in a Day will be held on Friday December 30th. Ring the shop for more details (429 2440).
Over the holiday period the golf course, the shop and the café will be closed for Christmas Day only. Open all other days with slightly shorter hours in the afternoons.
Shop Cafe
Friday 23rd Dec 9-4pm 9-3pm
Saturday 24th Dec 8-3pm 9-2pm
Sunday 25th Dec CLOSED CLOSED
Monday 26th Dec 9-2pm 10-2pm
Tuesday 27th Dec 9-2pm 9-2pm
Wedy 28th Dec 9-2pm 9-2pm
Thursday 29th Dec 9-2pm 9-2pm
Friday 30th Dec 9-2pm 9-2pm
Saturday 31st Dec 8-3pm 8-2pm
Sunday 1st Jan 8-3pm 10-2pm
Monday 2nd Jan 9-2pm 9-2pm
Tuesday 3rd Jan Back to Normal