Well December started with a flourish of activity with contractors Mark and Josh joining the team for the day.
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.
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.
As part of the works to open up the stream we have had to cut through the sloping pathway which goes down to the games area / route to the Confidence Course and Log walk and beyond.
We will be building new bridges over the next month or so.
To ensure we still allow good access to the area we have built a temporary bridge from 4 long 4"x4" planks of wood, which are well staked to the ground and have a non slip matting. The hand rails are of rope and tied on with Clove Hitches.
Work goes on cutting up the branches in this area and adding even more wood to the wood pile. Wood is also burnt so we can get this area back into use. This work will be finish before Christmas. Fabulous progress made.
Photos of the progress below
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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!!
So..... the last Wednesday in August was very successful, with many key actions completed:-
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.
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
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..
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
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....
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 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.
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.
The Annual Water Test for Legionella Disease and Bacteria and laboratory tests have taken place. Great new is we have PASSED, so our water on site continues to be safe to drink and use, (wash hands / shower etc) - May 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:-
Repaired Wood storeroof
Confidence Course - Repaired Up n Over obstacle Legs
I am often asked, how busy in Glenny Wood with visits and camps. Well very busy is the simple answer.
During 2023 we have seen 209 visits on site with 5737 people visiting.
So yes we have seen lots of people having fun and learning new skills at Glenny Wood
Click on the pic or botton for more info....