Events

Guided Walks

New Year's Day Walk Friday 1st January 2010

The annual New Year's Day walk will commence from the Woodland Centre, Ruislip Lido at 11 am. As usual we will stop for hot minced pies and mulled wine or soft drinks in Bayhurst Woods. Ian Cantley will be leading the walk and sharing his wealth of knowledge about the woods along the way. The walk will end at the Six Bells pub, on Ducks Hill Road at around 1.30pm. Some of you may be pleased to note that the pub has now re-opened!

Conditions may be very wet, SO DO BRING STOUT WALKING SHOES.

There will be a charge of £2 (adults) and £1 (children) to cover the cost of refreshments.

We look forward to seeing you at this popular annual event.

Any non-members wishing to join the walk should first contact secretary@ruislipwoodstrust.org.uk to ensure we are aware of numbers in advance.

Fungus Foray
A Fungus Foray guided walk took place on Sunday 18th October. The walk was led by Colin Bowlt and was a joint event with the Ruislip and District Natural History Society.

We would like to thank Dr Colin Bowlt for leading a very interesting Fungus Foray. Althought with suce a dry early autumn the fungi were a little scarce by keeping our eyes peeled we did manage to see quite a few, some spectacular Razor Strop Fungus.

Festival

Ruislip Woods Trust Woodland Festival 2009

The 2009 Festival took place on a glorious sunny day and a multitude of people turned out to enjoy the entertainment.
George Mist There were several new exhibitors this year: some new craftsmen came along to join the regular demonstrators including a pole lathe turner and a draw knife craftsman. A professional Storyteller (Richard Sylvester) entertained the youngsters and the adults – some families enjoyed his stories so much they invited him to join their picnic – he re- paid the compliment with an exclusive story!
The Morris Dancers were in fine and colourful form and they even got on the lido train and did an impromptu performance over by the beach.
Other musical and colourful entertainment was provided by The Medieval Minstrels.
The audience also enjoyed performances from the Falconry Centre, this year they brought along a vulture and an eagle, but as ever it was “Imp” the Harris Hawk which stole the show. The Axe Men from Dorset thrilled the crowd with their daring act.
Haris Hawk In the marquees there were interesting exhibitions from all the societies connected with the Woods. The children particularly enjoyed the reptile display and making wooden pendants with the Woodland Rangers. There was also a quiz which many of the children participated in involving them visiting and learning from many of the stalls.
2nd Ickenham Scouts again turned out a superb BBQ and refreshments and they were unprecedentedly busy all afternoon.
Several guided walks took place during the day - one leading up to the opening of the Festival led by Colin and Eileen Bowlt which went around Bayhurst Woods and three that took place during the festival afternoon: Paul Losse from Natural England led one group to explore the ‘Ancient Woodland’, and Colin and Eileen led another walk to Poor’s Field and the Battle of Britain House site. The third was led by the Ramblers Association.
Next year’s Festival will be on Sunday 9th May 2010.

Open Day Video
Click here to watch a video filmed by Tom Cantley.

Open Day 2008
Please note that we have decided to rename our annual Open Day the 'Woodland Festival'. The previous title had been confusing, the most frequent comment was 'surely the woods are always open !'. To see an account of what happened last year, follow the link.