Blog

 

Lewisburn Bridge

24 November 2008

This 'iconic' bridge is now complete and provides a multi-user loop to the Lakeside Way. Designed by our own Forestry Engineers, it spans the 40m wide inlet at Lewisburn. Built of wood it blends in well with the surrounding countyside of forest and water. Well worth a visit.

Kielder Mountain Bike Triathlon

14 September 2008

On Sunday, Kielder Water and Forest Park hosted this triathlon, with the start/finish base camp at Kielder Castle. When the fog lifted the competitors set off on a 1500m swim. This was followed by a 27k mountain bike stage and finally on with the running shoes for a 11k hike up Grey's Pike. All 57 competitors agreed 'tough but worth it'.

Hamsterley Forest Play Day

7 August 2008

The forest play day, organised by Crook Community Partnership and local Surestart groups, was once again a huge success. A climbing wall, bouncy castles, mountain biking, theatre, den building, crafts and Sunderland Football Club coaching attracted approx. 1000 children to Hamsterley. A good turn out considering this was one of the wettest Augusts on record. Children seem immune to wet weather when enjoying themselves.

Summer Workshops

22 June 2008

The bad weather did not stop the planned workshops, instead the classroom at Kielder Castle was turned into a 'platform' for Tai Chi. A local expert taught the class this art of using gentle exercises to benefit the mind and body. A full class turned up to learn more about digital photography from a local exhibitor, producing marvellous photos using the landscape at Kielder. A printing workshop was held by a local artist and well attended. No matter the weather, everyone enjoyed themselves.

Hen Harrier Haunts

11 June 2008

For the third year running Hen Harriers nested in Kielder Forest. This nest was one of only 11 nests in England. Office staff at N.E.E.R office were treated to a site visit and watched fascinated as the adults passed food in mid air to feed their five female chicks. All chicks survived and have now 'fled' the nest.

Old bird breaks record

28 May 2008

A twenty-one year old tawny owl living in Cumbria has become the oldest mother of her species on record, hatching three chicks. View video here.

Avalanche Trophy Bike Race

17-18 May 2008

The above event was held for the first time in England, at Kielder. This international endurance event, organised by the FC and UCC, utilised the new mountain bike track at Deadwater, and attracted approx. 130  competitors. 

Look to the Heavens at Kielder

25 April 2008

Friday brought the opening of Kielder Observatory. Lying deep in the forest this unique structure will play host to astronomers from far and wide. Kielder is ideal for such a building since it boasts skies with little or no light pollution. The observatory was opened by Sir Arnold Wolfenden, 14th Astronomer Royal. As yet the observatory is not open to the public, but keep watching the Kielder Observatory  website for related events. www.kielder-observatory.org

Sign Language at Chopwell Forest

22 February 2008

In future, deaf people will be able to attend most of the events at Chopwell, knowing they will have the support of a communications support person, namely Carole Fountain. Carole is a member of the Friends of Chopwell Wood and is presently attending a pre-advanced British Sign Language course. Read more about this story

Tyne Salmon Trail

1 December 2007

A travelling sculpture will be created to celebrate the movement and journey of the salmon from the source of the River Tyne to the sea at Tynemouth and South Shields. This sculpture will consist of 10 cubes and the first three, named Fins, Reflection and Journey will be launched at Kielder Castle on Sat 1st Dec. As part of the celebrations a local story-teller, Malcolm Green, will relate folktales of the mysterious ways of the Salmon.

Christmas Tree travels to Westminster

28 November 2007

Very soon, following a Christmas tradition, a sitka spruce, felled at Kielder by Alan Banks, will be on its way to London. The tree is approx.48ft in height and 25 yrs old. This fine tree is destined to provide the Christmas display outside the Houses of Parliament.

Orphaned Squirrel update

11 October 2007

On Sunday 7 October , Turfy, our adopted squirel was released. Though still quite small Turfy is eating well and is very lively. Within hours of being freed, Turfy joined his 'cousins' in Kielder Forest. We wish him well.

The Opening of the Deadwater MTB Trail

1 October 2007

On Sept 17, Steve Cram, a well known Northeast personality, came to Kielder to open the new Deadwater MTB trail. The 17 kilometre trail links the 2000ft summit of Deadwater Fell to Kielder village. Steve Cram promoted the 'Get Active Northumberland Campaign' by cycling the entire new trail. Kielder Trail Reavers started the project in 2006 with funding from One Northeast, Defra, the FC and Northumberland Sport. The new route has already proved a popular attraction for mountain bikers from all over the country, who not only enjoy the challenge of the Deadwater trail, but appreciate the magnificient scenery. So the message to all is "Get on your bike".

Orphaned Squirrel

1 October 2007

Save our squirrels has taken on a new meaning at North East region, Kielder. A baby red squirrel was found in the forest by a commission employee and brought into the office. After identifying the correct milk for the 'baby' a feed was offered and accepted. Instead of handing TURFY (named by the staff) over to the RSPCA, a colleague offered the services of his daughter as surrogate mother. Turfy has thrived under the care of his surrogate mother and is now in a holding cage, prior to being released. As you can see from the latest photo, Turfy has certainly grown. Once his 'carers' are confident that his chances of survivial are good, Turfy will be freed.

The Chopwell Festival

14-15 July 2007

Once again this popular Festival drew in several thousand people over the weekend. Despite losing the traditional car park to bad weather, the staff coped well. The music was varied from African drums and Latin music to the sound of the Scottish bagpipes. The acts entertained us with a variety of skills, including  juggling, dancing and acrobatics, while the exhibitors showed their skills at chainsaw carving and willow weaving. Visitors were encouraged to enter their pet dogs into the  'Scruffs Show'. Children and adults alike were delighted with the Birds of Prey and farmyard animals, while the alpacas in the picture were a big hit with everyone. Our visitors left having experienced a 'real forest festival'. Many commented on their very enjoyable day. 

Hamsterley floods

 22 June 2007

Flooding followed a violent thunderstorm, with the visitor centre at Hamsterley becoming 'marooned'. More storms saw the forest drive become a torrential river. The current washed approx. 40 tonne of rock onto the drive prompting the closure of the road. One of the events, the popular NightJar walk, had to be cancelled. The clear-up is still ongoing. Lets us hope there are no more storms to exacerbate these problems.

Summer Solstice at Simonside

21 June 2007

Twenty one people thoroughly enjoyed the 429m climb to Simonside Crag. The odd shower did not diminish the marvellous views from Simonside peak, where at 6.06pm the sun was at its closest to the earth. The group crossed the path of the BBC who were to carry out the local weather forecast from the peak.Not only did the group enjoy the solstice walk but they met up with history since the walk took in the sacred site of a 4000 yr old burial site. Everyone was delighted with their 'evening stroll'.

Kielder Spring Festival

20 May 2007

Kielder Castle was the venue for the new look Kielder Festival which was moved from it's traditional August date to be the culmination of Kielder Wildlife Week. Despite typically cool, damp weather in the fortnight run-up to the event, those who turned out were treated to a day of fun-packed activities. Highlights included a spectacular Birds of Prey demonstration, the second annual Kielder Canine Competition and contortionist 'Rubber Ritchie'. A first for the Festival was a 'have-a-go' session with a Northeast traditional Indian dancer.

Harbottle Fire

7 April 2007

Forestry Commission staff, firefighters, soldiers and National Park staff joined forces to fight a raging moorland blaze near Harbottle, in the Upper Coquet Valley. Two helicopters were deployed to scoop water from a nearby lake and 'water bomb' the flames, while the police helicopter became the 'eye' in the sky for the ground forces. Though the blaze was under control by midnight, many of the workers continued to damp down 'hot spots' to ensure the blaze did not restart. At the height of the fire 100 personnel were involved. Though the village of Harbottle was not at risk the residents had to endure clouds of smoke. Eight square kilometres of forest and moorland were destroyed by the fire. The success of the operation in controlling the fire was thanks to all of the agencies working together. Well done!

Woodschool

April 2007

A first for the Duchess Gallery at Kielder Castle. Woodschool hosted an unique exhibition of wood craft which saw the gallery filled with furniture and wall sculptures. The characteristics of each different tree could be seen in the hand carved designs, which are unique to Woodschool. It was a pleasure to see the surprised delight on the faces of our visitors.

Lunar Eclipse

19 February 2007

We had fantastic views of the lunar eclipse from Hamsterley Forest. We staged a star party to coincide with it. The whole thing was breathtaking. Richard Darn was on hand to take some great photos. I think this one really captures the deep blood red colour.

Experts from Sunderland Astronomical Society were on hand to describe the action. We also aimed some powerful telescopes at Saturn, and took a tour of the Spring constellations.

Thanks to everyone that came along.