News and Pictures 2024

December 24

Well December started with a flourish of activity with contractors Mark and Josh joining the team for the day.

Lodge drainage pipes replaced

Now the exciting bit, we have replaced the broken drainage pipes under the track which took the waste sink water from the Lodge to the waste tank, we nicknamed as "Grubber". This involved digging a trench in the track, finding the old pipes, digging them out and replacing them. Sounds simple. The fun was finding the pipe as it curved and where it joined "Grubber" so we could attach the new pipes. Well its all done and filled back in.

Quite a task and great to have this all repaired. Photos here on the progress made.

Re-routing the stream

We have a little stream on site that runs from above the Tunnels area into the wetlands. Part of this was buried under the track in the area by the Loos. The stream water in this area often got blocked and flooded it mainly in the Autumn and Winter months so damaging the track.

It was therefore time to improve this area and make a feature of the stream. So with Josh at his digger a new trench has been dug for the stream to run down. Under the track we have put in new piping, which is much wider and will not block up.

Pictures show the work progressing, when we break through and the water starts to go through the pipe and on. It started slowly, although very quickly started to flow and found its own way through the trench and into the existing stream. 

We will be planting trees either side of the stream in the spring, so this area will be greatly improved and will look great.

We will also be putting up fencing for the new track over the pipes.

Clearing of the massive wood pile continues into December

November 24

In November we continue with this year’s strategy of making more areas of Glenny Wood available for everyone to use and enjoy. So far this year major parts of the site have become accessible with opening of our fabulous Boundary Trail and with the Squirrel Trail renewed and sending you all over Glenny Wood..

This month therefore we continue with the clearance of significant parts of the Highlands area of the site. The is the newly named area at the far end of the site towards Clevedon and way above the existing camping areas.

Wild Camping and Backwoods area - what’s going to be there?

We are creating a new and unique area within the Glenny Wood campsite which will be our fantastic Wild Camping and Backwoods activities area. This will be intentionally very basic and wild. This is the type of area which now-a-days is not often available and will be a great place to try something new, step out of your comfort zone, learn new skills, and having a lot of fun.

This new Wild Camping area, once finished, will be split into two plateaus with basic toilet facilities, plenty of wood log piles, a couple of ground fire areas and altar fires to use. 

The first plateau will be set up bivouac building, Hammocks and other overnight sleeping. To facilitate this we will have shelter building kits, Hammocks and Bivy bags available to hire or you can bring your own.

The inner plateau will be for light weight camping and other wild camping methods you wish to tryout.

Risk Assessment of the areas will be completed, draft risk assessments to support users will be developed as well as factsheets on how the area is to be used, how the basic toilet facilities are maintained by users, and log piles when used are to be refilled. 

This area and all the facilities we will provide, will be open for use from April 2025 onwards and will be available to book on OSM in December.

Highlands - Before and after.

We are currently finalising our approach to celebrating 60 years of Scouting at Glenny Wood. 

The celebrations will are looking to make inclusive so all users to join and as is our tradition at Glenny Wood, will of-course be great fun, coupled with opportunities for skills development and include a special diamond anniversary badge. 

More details will be published on our website and sent out direct to our site users over the coming months. The celebrations will be from April 25 to September 26.

Clearing of the massive wood pile

A significant task has been the clearing of the massive wood pile area by the log walk. This has been undertaken by a combination of cutting up wood for the wood pile, piling up a lot of great kindling in this area of the wood pile and burning wood. This will increase the flat games area in the part of Glenny Wood. 

Above this cleared area will have bench seating put in so will be a great place for leaders and supporters to actively supervise the young people undertaking the various activities in that area. 

During the month we have also achieved so much, including - 

What's been happening with the active management of our site woodlands area?

The bi-monthly tree review has been completed and no surprises were found, which is great news.

Planning has been submitted, as per the sites Tree Preservation Order (TPO) requirements for our latest phase of active tree management with 8 trees to come down, due to Ash Dieback and aging along with 6 trees needing attention that will require pollarding. We are now awaiting a quote for this work to be undertaken.This work, as usual will take place in the spring. 

New Trees for Glenny Wood. Plans area in place for the next phase of trees and Sapling planting ensuring the regeneration of our woodlands so we leave a strong legacy for many years to come. We are ordering a further 34 6 foot plus trees for planting in February / March

October 24

October has been a very busy month again with lots of maintenance tasks to undertaken, a list of the task is show below...

We continue to work on opening up more of the site for those using Glenny Wood. So far this year we have opened up a lot of the boundary areas with our new walk - The Boundary Trail. Over the last few weeks much has been undertaken to open up some of the area at the top far end of the site which we now call the highlands. I will add this area to the map shortly.

The aim of this area, when it's ready is to create a wild camping, bivouac and hammock area to use. Progress has been good and below are a few pictures showing the difference. There is still much to do and when the area is ready to use we will let you know and add to OSM booking systems.

As the Autumn is upon us the number of leaves falling is significant. We have started a large amount of leaf clearance and this will continue, although it's a up hill task. So please be careful as leaves are slippery and also with the wet conditions make the grown very slippery. The stream is also very full and flowing through the site well into the wetlands area.

Glenny Wood will have been a camp site for Scouts for 60 years, next year. We are now in the process of finalising a fabulous new badge and 3 part challenge. Watch this space for further information as well as your email.

Maintenance work in October included

• Replace hasp on the Activities Shed.
• Cleared and tidied Wood at the top of Wood Lane.
• Replaced Wood pegs for Monkey Bridge A frames.
• Replaced broken Table Tennis bats and Balls.
• Ordered and replaced Fire Bucket.
• Put in planks behind the activities shed for protection.
• Replace Shower Tray Wood frame.
• Took down the Aerial Runway.
• Built two Picnic tables for the wetlands area in the spring.
• Replaced Smoke Alarm.
• Replaced smoke alarm batteries.
• Made additional grills for the altar fires.
• Fenced of the Grass Sledge course for winter safety.
• Added the Boundary Trail to the monthly checking process.
• Emptied wheelbarrows of fire ash let by site users.
• Brushed and cleaned the patio, moving picnic tables under veranda.
• Started the Autumn Leaf blowing to keep the grass free and able to grow.
• Sharpened the HSS drills.
• Cut the sticking out branch off the boundary trail was and cleared other branches down due to the winds.
• Cleared the leaves and silt from the drains so improving steam water flow. 
• Installed a large plastic box on the confidence course to store the helmets.
• Helmets for all activities where used have been revised and colour coded.
• Inner Gate wood paneling replaced
• Padlocks WD40'd

Leaf blowing, Post Bashing & plenty of Water in the stream

September 24

September is now upon us and the site is as popular as ever, with most evening full and every weekend booked out. Whilst the weather has not been the kindest, feedback tells us everyone has been having a fabulous time.

The Glenny Team has been hard at work and an amazing amount has been completed this month, especially when a number of the team have been away on holiday.

We have been joined by a team from Lloyds Bank, and they work hard at the top of the site clearing the foliage away to uncover the older mine walls, or what's left of them. In this area the capped mine shift has been cleared and work has commence in build Mine lifting gear that would have been around in the 18th century. This team also replenished the Log Store, by Holly Campfire. Thanks to the Lloyds Bank team for their hardworking and continued support.

Work continues on site, as we repair the corner of the garage where it was hit by a car. A large metal right angle stake has been used to repair the corner, so any more bad driving hitting the garage corner, will result in a damaged car!! 

Work continues in developing the old mine workings area with the boarding now in place, next the replica workings to be installed, a longer more challenging tasks.

Access to the far end area below was also cut through, enabling the tractor etc safer access.

I explored the far end of the site, bashing my way through the brambles, broken, etc. and made it to the far end, a point I have not been to in quite a while. As the area is well fenced in by our neighbours our aim now is to cut a path through this area and to clear it. We then hope to create wild camping, bivouac, hammock areas to add to the offering and looking to install some form of eco / composting loo and washing facilities, using rain water. A longer term project.

A list of the many and varied jobs the team have undertaken in September is below, with pictures of what has been done.

• Trees on Avenue from Loos - protected
• Repaired fence around Altar Fire store
• Removed old tree stump from Altar Fire store area
• Cleared fallen tree off Wood Lane
• Cleared Brambles from Front Gate & Car Park area
• Painted - Campers Shed & Tunnels Shed
• Repaired and replace roof on Tunnels box joiner
• Cleared Ash from Holly Campfire
• Replaced Holly Campfire surrounds
• Dyno Rod checked drain from lodge - more work needed
• Fence in the Wetlands repaired
• Cleared potholes and levelled track
• Cleared Hazels by capped mine area
• Painted lower outside wall around toilet block
• Repaired and put back into Activity Shed 5 helmets
• Swept Patio and Pond decking
• Adult toilet walls cleaned
• Resolved the Electric Issues in the lodge

Old capped mine workings area

Maintenance Work completed by the Glenny Team Members

August 24

Well its August already, and yet another busy month, and with the benefit of some work days in Sunshine, although also the August rain, very wet!!

• Work continues at a pace completing the Glenny Wood Boundary Trail. Further work around the back of the garage for the trail has been undertaken, fencing off the team area and making the walk through safe. The trail was walked so the signs positioning is finalised. By August bank holiday all this work has been completed and the information boards have been created and will be installed on the 28th August.
• The Squirrel trail was taken up, boards revamped, numbered and re-lettered and the trail has been relaid in new locations.
• The Professional Tree inspection undertaken by Oli Frost our Arboriculture specialist. We are now processing and progressing his report. Further tree works will be required and due to the TPO status over most of the site, for these areas planning consent will be sought. Trees are always a constant area to monitor and deal with. Branches have been removed and cut up. Following Storm Lillian a further large branch was removed from the loo roof and tidied away.
• To maintain site security, access codes and many of the codes to use the activities were changed.
• We check the bouldering wall weekly and this month we added more tyre clippings to the floor area, which is the soft landing area should you fall off the wall!
• Significant amounts of maintenance continue to be undertaken including
  • The toilet walls and areas have had a thorough clean
  • Shelter Building kit recently used found wet so was dried, sorted and put away
  • All the newly planted trees have been weeded, checked and mulch put around them
  • Apple, Oak & Birch plateaus cut, significant Strimmer works undertaken
  • Altar Fire bench on the patio repaired with a new paving slab cemented in.
  • Activities checked and repaired / replace

So..... the last Wednesday in August was very successful, with many key actions completed:- 

• The Boundary Trail was finished with the Information Boards added around the course so you can find out more about the mining history at Glenny Wood, the sites development, currently from 2006 and the history of Scouting.
  

• The sheds had many well deserved coats of paint ready for more Sun and the Winter Weather
  

• Significant trimming and hedge cutting completed and areas cleared up behind.

• Further work completed on the planted saplings, freeing them from the rapid bracken grow.

The site is now looking very tidy and we are keeping the traditional feel although managing nature and providing a fantastic range of modern facilities and activities. We are ready for the new wave of site visitors into the Autumn.

Glenny Team Members

Long Service Awards

Glenny Wood review and AGM report for 2023

July 2024

We start July with showers during our work day. We had the heating boiler serviced in the lodge, all fine. 

Angus and Phil walked the complete proposed Boundary Trail building on the phase 1 we have just opened. The route and approach is now agreed, so now we start to make this happen, aiming to open in September.

After a busy summer so far the wood pile was depleted and Andy set to splitting logs ready for the next wave of site users and their fires.

Further repair and strengthening work was undertaken on the confidence course, regular checks completed, the continuous need to weed the planted trees and hedgerow was continued by Tony and Phil S and signs explaining the various compost bins have been put up.

The plants in the nursery were also checked and they are growing well, ready to plant out in about a years time.

A significant amount of strimming around the top track area and Willow plateau was complete, keeping nature "under control"

July has been a mega busy month, making good use of the weather and team members availability. The works completed include

• Split logs and wood pile restocked
  
• Gas Boiler serviced
• Bouldering wall - handholds twisted to correct position
• Remove green fencing / signs etc from area near the Wetlands / below confidence course
• Top Track - strim whole area inc. around planted trees
• Top Track - Cut fencing both sides and reduce height and cut bracken down on opposite side
• Strim area below confidence course near wetlands where new tree planted
  
• Wobbly Bridge additional supports added
• Removed large tire from Confidence Course
• Monkey Bridge - sorted out, retied spacers
• Checked and knocked in signage posts
• Rebuilt Shower Basin in Pink Shower
• Repaired Tunnels base unit
• Repaired Karts brake, as pulled out of position
• Repaired fence above Loo block
• Replaced flooring board
• Strimed Stream, New Boundary Trail Area, top Plateaus, Behind Loos, Behind Lodge
• Hedges cut - Top Track, Lodge, Willow, Hazel, Hawthorne, To loos
• Bouldering Wall net repaired and repositioned
• Holly Campfire surround replace
• Filled in Post Holes on Apple and kart Track
• Put up signs for Composting Area

Looking after our newly planted trees and Hedgerows

July saw us  continuing the weeding of all the new trees and hedgerows we have planted since 2007. The weeds and bracken growth is significant and encouraged by our warm wet weather!! This was a major achievement and an  ongoing challenge. Mega thanks to Tony, Jill and Phil S..

Glenny Wood in July, much to do, maintain and develop

Boundary Trail

The boundary trail, phase 1 is now completed and looking good. The trail has a range of information boards about the trees placed along it, then a tree recognition spotting challenge and a further challenge asking walkers to identify the view out over the Bristol Channel and beyond. The course is looking fantastic. 

Phase 2 - trail around the site - Work is rapidly moving forward on completing the trail around the site. The route has been defined, cut / strimmed and made navigable. Safety work on this has commenced, with steps built where necessary, ropes installed to mark the trail and assist on slopes and marker posts added

For more information on the course please click on the button -

To book please go onto the Glenny Wood OSM booking pages

Boundary trail phase 1 build completed

Boundary trail phase 2 build

June 2024

We welcomed 2nd Portishead Scout troops to Glenny Wood recently to undertake a volunteering project. The Scouts, parents and leaders worked really hard and created our new composting area. We now have separate bays for items such as plant cuttings, fire ash, tree mulch etc...  We will duplicate these areas as the years go by so creating great fertiliser to put back into the site. Many thanks to all from 2nd Portishead involved to to our very own Volunteer Works Manager, Angus who supported and guided over the two evenings

Thank you, 2nd Portishead Scouts

On Wednesday 12th June, we welcomed members of the Education Data and Incite team (EDIT) from the University of Bristol.

The seven volunteers along with Angus and Andy from the Glenny Team, did an amazing job in the wetlands area, plus, plus....

They redirected and narrowed the stream water course, thus reclaiming an area of ground. They also strengthen and extended the path within the wetlands area.

then after lunch they move significant amounts of wood from a fallen tree we had cut up in the winter months and clear the large pile of mulch, near the cabins, into our composting area.

Thank you, the EDIT team from the University of Bristol.

Lots of other maintenance work continues to be undertaken at Glenny Wood to make sure our site is as safe as possible and all activities and facilities are available to our many visitors and campers....

• Repairing the site mower, so we can now cut the grass
• Cutting the Grass, both with the tractor/mower and hand mowing
• Boundary trail clearing continues
• Undertaking the various safety checks and tidying / sorting out the areas after use. Thanks Jill
• Andy Re-welded the gate after last months damage
• The continuous weeding of the newly planted trees - thank you TT

• We also purchase a number of new signs which were put up on the 12th by Phil W.

• Near the end of June, Chubb came on site and completed the Annual Fire Extinguishers and Fire Blanket checks and service. All passed with flying colours this year.

A very busy time at Glenny on a lovely warm June day.

Much mowing completed including all the plateaus. All the areas nearer to the lodge mown with the hand mower.

The hedge at Hawthorn thoroughly weeded with circa 95% planting success, which is a fabulous result. Weeding is a long task, back breaking although so essential.

All the information and safety signs from the main entrance to the alter fires all cleaned.

Oh... and a space hopper removed from a tree on Apple!!!

Also after significant damage due to a car being thoughtlessly driven onto a very wet Sycamore a couple of months ago, this plateau has now been cut, the closure fences have been removed and its ready to be used again.

All site users - Please only drive on the site tracks.

May 2024

May 2024 has proven to be a very busy month again, with significant maintenance works undertaken, as listed below. We have completed the new campfire area at the bottom of Apple near the stream. This campfire will be called maple and is available to book via OSM

The first phase of the Boundary Trail is progressing well, with a clear path that we are actively maintaining. We have now put up the Rabbit Signs along the trail as markers to follow. Next will be the information and quiz boards aim to open this activity on the 1st July 2024

Unfortunately this month, as per previous incidents, we have had to deal with "silly" behaviour and individuals not respecting our site. We have had to clean foot prints off the outside wall of the loo block, repair the Snowball games ball box lid as someone felt it acceptable to try and prize this open, and repair the gate when someone drove into it and significantly reshaped it. None of these issues have been reported to us. All these and more have been dealt with by the team, so no one is the wiser!

It is important that our Young people are actively supervised on site, mainly for their safety and to ensure the site is not unnecessarily damaged. We ask that leaders walk around, make their presence known and see what’s going on, so they can step in if necessary. If something gets damaged, please let us know - mail@glennywood.org.uk, don’t just walk past and ignore it!

On the 21st May we welcomed a team of 4 plus a visiting nephew of one of the team members, from India, to Glenny Wood as part of the Ping Identity Internal Volunteering day within this company. They all worked really hard and were creative and have built us a fabulous Bug Hotel. We now look forward to welcoming lots of the bugs for extended stays in our hotel. Many, many thanks to the team.

So as May continues so will the hard work maintaining and further improving Glenny Wood.

• Boundary Walk phase 1 path clearing and marker poles.
• Put up the Boundary Trail Rabbit signs.
  
• Opened up Grass Sledges Activity.
• New informal campfire - dig out fire pit and rope fencing area off.
• Checked the Glenny well to ensure it cannot be opened. The cover is welded on!
• Sorted out padlock to compound.
• Dipped red Diesel Barrel and ordered more fuel.
• Replaced on side of Holly Campfire pit edging.
• Put out Tables for Newport Scouts to borrow at the weekend.
• Cleared out the wood behind the pole store, cut up and remove screws / nails etc.
• Put back up Spruce Plateau sign.
• Repaired needless damage to the Snookball Ball box.
• Inflated snookball balls.
• Cleaned foot prints off the loo walls.
• Andy our electrician completed checks & repaired light in Yellow shower room.
• Created display on white boards outside lodge.
• Move the wood pile up above GAP to the Wood store.
• Legionella & bacteria testing of our water completed.
• Clear Dams from stream.
• Fault finding and got the red tractor starting again.
• Significant Grass and Bracken strimming around the site including the LPG tank compound, top track, campfire, pathways and much more.
• Fence to the loos cut.
• Repair Camper Shed door so now lockable.
• Put up Fire Buckets for Maple Camp Fire.
• Repaired the damaged front gate.
• Repaired Wood store roof
• Strengthen Confidence Course uprights and joints.
• Stop Grinding completed

New Camp Fire - Maple

Boundary Trail

Maintaining the Site and keeping it tidy.

Repairing / cleaning unacceptable damage / behaviour

Bug Hotel 2 built and open for guests.

On the 21st May we welcomed a team of 4 plus a visiting nephew of one of the team members, from India, to Glenny Wood as part of the Ping Identity Internal Volunteering day within this company. They all worked really hard and were creative and have built us a fabulous Bug Hotel. We now look forward to welcoming lots of the bugs for extended stays in our hotel. Many, many thanks to the team.

Safety Compliance 

April 2024

April was a very busy month at Glenny Wood for the site team. Despite the weather we have achieved an incredible amount.

Key highlights of the month saw the phase 1 of the Round Glenny Trail works well on their way with the rough track made safer and steps built in. Next steps include the signage and interactive boards along with the risk assessment and factsheet. This part will be open on the 1st July

The buildings on site and decking area all got a spring clean during the month and are looking very smart.

We added a new activity with is our Treasure Hunt, to help everyone get to know Glenny Wood better.

Also we have through significant strimming work by Mark, we have reclaimed areas from the brambles and are in the process of putting in a small informal campfire area on Apple above the Loo block. A place for our young people to sit and chat.

AND.... At long last on the 24th April, it was dry enough to cut the grass, so much later than normal. 

The wild flowers, Primroses, Bluebells, Wild Garlic to name three are all coming out in bloom and the site is getting prettier by the day as spring really gets hold.

A few pics below show the works undertaken and of the flowers for you to enjoy.

Other maintenance works undertaken included:-

• Replaced the entrance Flag poles now with Glenny Wood Flags flying
  
• Sensitivity of outside lights adjusted so no longer on in daylight
• Repaired Weir & Fencing in Wetlands area
  
• Tidied campfire Log pile and area
• Replaced and added in fencing posts on bottom boundary fence
• Outside lights working around the lodge
• Shower lights working
• Repaired Snookball - Pockets and netting connections
• Repaired roof above Girls loo
• Urinals all clean of lime scale
• Moved to sunny location trees the Firs trees which were by Wetlands
• Pruned the Hawthorn around the gas tank to encourage growth 
• Site Strimming in key areas commenced
• Squirrel Trail – walked and points all checked
• New Treasure Hunt - walked and points all checked
• Clear bunged up Shower and now back in use
• Trimmed bench, removing rotten wood, and knobbly bits
• Put up fence between Beech and Activities area & cleared by mulch
• Replaced power point for charging in the Activity shed.
• Jet washed and cleaned decking pathway, Lodge ends, walls and Garage
• Created a new walkway from path near taps to Activity Zone
• Re-stained Colin Warry's memorial Seat
• Grass Seeded Sycamore
• Strimmed the top track and grass sledge area
• Replaced hot water tank in Toilet/Shower block
• New pump installed for the septic tank
• Jet washed the Aerial Runway decking floor to clean it, so it is not slippery
• Fix the compound gates
• Boundary Trail building - Phase 1 completed
• Aerial Runway set up Runway for 24 season.
• Aerial Runway training evenings commenced.
• Clear area above the loo building and create an informal campfire.
• Counted the Glenny memorabilia.
• Moved old Telegraph poles to Wetlands for re-route stream.
• PAT Testing completed.
• Out side Lights wiring checked.
  

Spring time at Glenny Wood 2024

March 2024

• Repaired Wood storeroof

• Replaced fencing at the bottom of the site
• Cleared logs off top track
• Put down chippings on muddy track
• Put up Safety notices opposite the loos
• Put wire netting on top step near bouldering wall.
  
• Completed put up the tree protection for the newly planted trees

• Confidence Course - Repaired Up n Over obstacle Legs

• Added a door to the gap between the showers at the rear of the loos, for cleaning materials.
• Replaced edging on Holly Campfire
• Removed two old met posts in the Wetlands Area
• Repaired the Up n Over obstacle legs and add in decking boards to climb up in the Confidence Course
• Replaced chain fixings on Monkey Bridge
• Check Pioneering poles not rotten by bounce test, and annual count
• Put up new 10 MPH speed limit Signs

February 2024

General Maintenance Work February 2024

• New Posters and information displayed inside the lodge.
• Tidied out Cupboard in Boiler room.
• Checked all chairs / tables - clean and safe.
• Checked the Cooker is working correctly.
• Cleared brush wood from plateaus including on Ash, Beach, and Hawthorne.
• Repaired grass where Tree surgeons’ machines been on.
  
• New Posters and information displayed inside the lodge.
• Tidied out Cupboard in Boiler room.
• Checked all chairs / tables - clean and safe.
• Checked the Cooker is working correctly.
• Cleared brush wood from plateaus including on Ash, Beach, and Hawthorne.
• Repaired grass where Tree surgeons’ machines been on.
  

Tree Works - January / February 2024

Tree Planting - safegaurding the future

• Tree Planting is taking place again. A further 14 new trees are being planted. they are:-
  • 4 x English Oak trees
  • 4 x Wild Cherry
  • 2 x Rowan
  • 2 x Crabb Apple
  • 2 x Apple
• All the trees planted and tree protection being put in place.

Tree felling works

• We are also having 7 trees felled due to end of life and Ash Dieback.
  • English Elm x 2
  • Silver Birch x 3
  • Common Ash x 2

Lodge Veranda Upgrade - January / February 2024

Decking works now completed and looking good

• Work has commenced on replacing the veranda uprights, decking boards and notices
• The old boards have now been taken up, and those ok will be re purposed.
• Concrete slab has been laid infront of the kitchen doors
• New Decking planks are now being put down
• The old notices and pictures removed.
  
• Decking work completed
• Decking treated
• Notice boards painted white and posters / information put up.

Wetlands Bridge Replacement

A new bridge across the stream in the wetlands has been completed.

This gives access to both sides of the wetlands into the pond and conservtion areas as well.

Final screw was put in by Andy on Wednesday Wednesday 10th January 2024