Conservation Holidays and Free Training

Conservation holidays

In 2006 we invited BTCV, the leading practical conservation charity, to run conservation working holidays‘Natural Breaks’in Bowland. Hedgelaying and dry stone walling tasks have proved very popular and we intend to make these a permanent feature. Day volunteers are always welcome, you do not have to come and stay for the whole week! Here are details of the next two tasks and there will be a hedging weekend in November–details later.

Day volunteers should call Martin Charlesworth on 01200 426433. If you want to stay with the group of volunteers for the week then please book online through BTCV website.

Brief details of the holidays are as follows:

Springtime Bowland Walling Calling
Sat 3 May 2008 to Sat 10 May 2008

Why not come and learn the ancient craft of Dry Stone Walling in one of the most beautiful areas of North West England. You will have the expert training and guidence of a DSW Association trainer who will gently turn you in to a competent 'waller' by the end of the week. You will learn about 'batter', 'footings', and 'cams', and eat your lunch surrounded by beautiful scenery.

You will be helping to repair and re-build a relict Dry Stone Wall in Slaidburn Parish in the heart of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Dry Stone Walls continue to be important landscape features of this area, as well as being of benefit to wildlife.

Your accommodation will be provided at Dale House Farm with great views of the surrounding countryside. This is a brand new camping barn conversion completed to the highest standards. The barn comprises of a large open plan ground floor area with a fully equipped modern kitchen, a large eating/communal area with wood burning stove to keep you nice and cosy, and a seperate area with 2 showers and 2 toilets. The sleeping area is on the first floor and is on 2 levels, there will be mattresses provided.

The pretty village of Slaidburn is close by and has a great pub should you wish to quench your thirst after a good days Dry Stone Walling.

You will have the chance to explore this beautiful part of the world on your day off, and your Leaders will be able to provide you with more information when you arrive on your holiday.

Springtime Walling in Beautiful Bowland
Sat 24 May 2008 to Sat 31 May 2008

Why not come and learn the ancient craft of Dry Stone Walling in one of the most beautiful areas of North West England. You will have the expert training and guidence of a DSW Association trainer who will gently turn you in to a competent 'waller' by the end of the week. You will learn about 'batter', 'footings', and 'cams', and eat your lunch surrounded by beautiful scenery.

BTCV is working to rebuild a relic dry stone wall that has fallen into dis-repair close to the pretty village of Calder Vale on the Western edge of the Forest of Bowland AONB. This wall is itself unusual in that it is circular in shape and surrounds a pond on farmland just outside the village. These Dry Stone Walls continue to be important landscape features of this area, as well as being of benefit to wildlife.

Your accommodation will be at Guy's Farm. This is a Girlguiding Activity Centre and we will have sole use of 'The Piggery' located at the centre.Despite it's name this is comfortable and well equipped acommodation with 4 bedrooms comprising of 3 x 4 beds and 1 x 2 beds. There are 2 toilets and a shower and a fully equipped kitchen. There is also a large communal room for dining and recreation. The centre lies in 7 acres of open fields and wooded copses.

There are 2 pubs located within walking distance of your accommodation should you want to quench your thirst after a good days walling. Your day off could be spent exploring this beautiful part of the country or you could even spend the day visiting the historic city of Lancaster. Your Leaders will be able to provide you with more information when you arrive on your holiday.

Every Sunday in May the ladies of Calder Vale run ‘bluebell teas’: homemade refreshments are available in the village hall, in aid of the church mission hall.

---