Amazing but true: it is now over 10 years since Friends of Adel Woods came into existence!
Tonight 58 supporters of Friends of Adel Woods filled the excellent Olive Branch, Alwoodley, for a celebratory meal. We were very fortunate to welcome two special guests – David Preston, the Meanwood Valley Heritage Ranger, who gave a talk on the Meanwood Valley project, and Steve Joul who led a very interesting quiz.
It was a great night. Here is just some of the excellent feedback:
“THANK YOU for a superb evening!” “Thank you so much for organising a fantastic night out, it was great!” “Fabulous evening last night. We really really enjoyed it. Excellent food, excellent company and excellent entertainment!” Thanks for organizing such a lovely evening… we enjoyed it all very much.” “A delightful evening. No need to ask if everyone enjoyed themselves!” “I really enjoyed myself it was a superb evening.”
The very first meeting to explore the idea of creating a “Friends” group took place on Sunday 28th June 2009 when 12 of us took a walk around the woods to see the lay of the land and get some ideas of what we could do to look after the woods. On 3 July 2009, we had a meeting in the bar of Alwoodley Community Association when we agreed to set up FOAW and 8 of us signed the constitution.
Our very first event took place on 19 July 2009 when, in two hours, 13 of us picked up 23 bags of rubbish as well as other detritus too big to bag.
Since then we have met about 14 mornings a year to pick up litter; clear and improve paths; make, put up and survey nest boxes; desilt the pond; improve Adel Bog; clear the Buck Stone; and remove saplings and bracken from Adel Moor.
We haven’t kept a tally of how many bags of rubbish we have removed, but it is probably about 600 by now.
In addition we have had many educational walks and talks with Steve Joul, a talk on red kites by Doug Simpson, and a talk on bats with Diane Gregory who also led a bat walk. We have also had a three visits to Dianne and Alan Yarker’s smallholding.
Dianne and Alan’s smallholding 
Doug and Steve Joul reminisce! 
A bat talk with Dianne Gregory
The activities – or work “parties” as we now call them – and the talks are important, but a third pillar of our activities is enjoying the experience and making new friends.
If you would like to make a positive contribution to improving the environment of Leeds and looking after Adel Woods, to get some exercise in the fresh air, and to make new friends, please come along to one of our meetings – or contact Friends of Adel Woods via the website.
Three happy Elves
Friends of Adel Woods 