Seeing the wood for the trees

At a time when the “stay-at-home vacation” – the “staycation” – is very much in vogue, Able discovers how the Forestry Commission is ensuring that Britain’s iconic woodlands are as accessible as possible.

The Forestry Commission recently extended an invitation for Able magazine to visit one of their Woodlands (Callendar Woods in central Scotland).

Somehow, the moment we stepped onto that leafy path, all of our troubles seemed to be swept away amidst the birdsong and breeze. The local town of Falkirk backs onto the woods – almost literally – but we could’ve been miles away from the bustle of a normal Tuesday afternoon.

This could be a great place to spend a short holiday if you were to take on each of the variety of paths and trails in turn. At the very least it makes for a genuinely refreshing morning or afternoon wander and, since it’s so accessible, you’ll not need to sweat about how fit or active you are. If you’re going to be taking a holiday in the UK it’s well worth looking up Forestry Commissions sites near to your destination.

We hadn’t fully realized just what a beautiful resource we had right on our doorstep. And chances are, neither have you – even though there’s a Forestry Commission woodland pretty close to most people’s front door…

The legendary Sherwood Forest once covered huge parts of the Midlands and, even now, is still the largest single tract of forest open to the public in the East Midlands. With 3,300 acres to tread the Forestry Commission has put together an army of volunteers to ensure practical conservation projects are maintained. Several of these volunteers have a range of mental health issues, fitting in neatly with the Forestry Commission’s own equal opportunity policy.

Sherwood Forest is often used as a place of outdoor stimulation for mind and body and regularly receives referrals from NHS and private clinics. Patients benefit from the ancient forest through the awe of being surrounded by wildlife, light, wind and the soft rain of the East Midlands filtering through the canopy.

Disabled people can get closer to some of the most striking scenery in mid-Wales after Forestry Commission Wales invested £43,000 upgrading forest trails and other all-ability facilities in Hafren Forest, near the market town of Llanidloes. The forest, which takes its name from Afon Hafren (the River Severn), has both pine and spruce trees and includes the start of Britain’s longest riverside walk, the Severn Way – a route dotted with small towns and villages which act as handy stop-off points.

The Forest includes the half-mile long Cascades Trail which incorporates 100m of boardwalk soon to be fitted with a new anti-slip surface. The trail was designed in partnership with local disability groups and includes several features making it easy to follow, with resting places available for those looking for a wander rather than a workout. The reward is a raised platform that allows people to sit and take in the view.

Although Coed y Brenin is famed for the some of the finest mountain biking in the UK it’s also great for groups looking for all-ability and family walking trails. Situated in the south of the Snowdonia National Park, near Dolgellau, Coed y Brenin covers an area of 9,000 acres, taking in the wondrous valleys that bank the rivers Mawddach and Rhobell Fawr to the south of Cader Idris.

The Forestry Commission launched ability trails at Coed y Brenin in May 2009. The Eden trail incorporates tactile slate sculptures that interpret some of the wildlife that you could be lucky enough to meet in the forest park. Especially for those with visual impairments, there is a ‘sound store’ wind-up box telling a local folk tale about a bridge called Pont Llam yr  Ewig – while another in the car park offers information on the importance of the Glasdir copper mine.

The all-ability trail here is wheelchair friendly and follows a lakeside path for two thirds of a mile to its destination – the Red Kite viewing area. Forestry Commission staff feed these great birds of prey daily, so nobody should be disappointed by not seeing them. There’s also an animal puzzle trail on the path that gives access to the education area and the log cabin.

The Mamhead Sensory Trail in Haldon National Park is another example of a well conceived all-ability trail. It’s flat and well surfaced and there’s a choice of two loops of one mile and another of one and a half miles in length. There are plenty of resting places (each enhanced with interpretation features aimed at inspiring your senses) that will help you to get to the breathtaking view overlooking the city of Exeter.

Pre-visit packs are available for those with visual impairment that include Braille and tactile mapping by contacting the Ranger’s office.

Brand new, and costing roughly £1 million, Wistlandpound is a unique countryside heritage attraction in North Devon that aims to make the stunning scenery of Exmoor accessible to all. The natural and social heritage centre is the result of a two year collaboration by Calvert Trust, Exmoor, Forestry Commission England and South West Lakes Trust, and was officially opened in November 2008 by Sarah Piercey, GB wheelchair marathon athlete, and Jon Amos, Team Manager and head coach of the GB paralympic powerlifting squad.

The 2km discovery trail follows part way round the Wistlandpound reservoir and includes guided wildlife trails and a fully accessible Discovery Centre exploring the Wistandpound Estate’s social, historical and environmental importance. The Challenge Trail is a UK first – a 2km exercise trail for wheelchair users who want to combine the pleasures of a stroll and a cross country run.

Sensory structures are set along the new Discovery Trail for those with visual impairments, while those wanting to learn more about the estate’s built and natural heritage can explore the new discovery centre. As well as exhibitions on the surrounding environment, it will outline the importance of the 19th century model farm and its role in the agricultural revolution. There are plans to introduce fully accessible toilets and a tea room to the site in the near future.

The Forestry Commission is the government agency which supports woodland owners with grants, felling licenses, regulation and advice. It also promotes the benefits of forests and forestry to the public and, through Defra, advises Ministers on forestry policy.

The Commission also maintains much of the nation’s treasured woodlands and forests for recreational use and has started a vigorous programme of bringing accessibility to these great sites.

For more information about the Forestry Commission or to find your closest forest or woodland, visit: www.forestry.gov.uk.

Jeremy Thompson is a Ranger involved with the Forestry Commission’s In and Around Town programme. He recently shared his thoughts on this and the Easy Access trails now found on many of the Commission’s sites.

We have a forest school. The idea is to get the kids out of the classroom to teach them skills like making fires and identifying different plants and wildlife. It’s often used for kids with special needs or behavioural problems. In a classroom they can’t concentrate. I think it’s basically not being constrained within four walls but being outside and using the senses.

There’s something about it; we have sites in some tough areas of Glasgow – Easterhouse and  Drumchapel – where people have actually come off medication since visiting woodlands. As soon as they’ve stopped visiting, they’ve gone back on it.

It is great for getting people to relax or for getting people to do a little work. It can take their mind off other things. I think the physical activity helps. I’m a great believer in it. One of our aims is for communities of 2000 people plus to have woodlands within 1Km. We’re very keen to bring the forest to the people, particularly with the idea of carbon footprint in our minds. We’re also very keen to make sure that all members of society can use them, that there are no barriers.

In many ways a disabled person is happiest using a path that everybody uses, so that’s the way we’re trying to go. We’ve been reasonably successful at this. We’ve just completed what I call an Easy Access trail. Easy Access means that not only a wheelchair user, but an old person or a mother with young children can use it. We’ve also set up perching rails, so that if somebody’s in a wheelchair they can pull themselves off the wheelchair for a change of viewpoint. The other thing we do of course is invite groups around to test any new park before we open it and get their views on it. The website has a map that shows you the closest woodlands to you.

We have a disabled member of staff who’s worked with us for 25 years. Kenneth is mute. He’s a very good forest craftsman. He’s not treated in any special way and mucks in. He adds to the whole team through his personality. Often I find disabled people have a very strong character.

A lot of forestry is done from behind a desk, so there are no issues with having disabled people working for the Forestry Commission; I think that it’s a great place for all sorts of different people to work.

It’s not a talking organisation – we deliver! If we’re asked to do something we’ll get it done. We’ve still got a lot to do and we need to engage as actively as possible with disabled groups. We’re keen for disabled people to get to know what we can do for them in terms of jobs, careers, volunteering and coming out and enjoying the forest. That is very much part of our role.

WHAT KIND OF INNOVATION HAVE YOU BEEN APPLYING TO THE FORESTS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE?  THERE’S BEEN A LOT OF COMMENT ABOUT SENSORY INTERACTION…

It’s for people that are partially sighted. We use posts and interpretive structures to lead them round the trail. We’re just starting to use audio equipment now, so you can use mobile phones, iPods, podcasts and even wind-up machines that work like a clockwork radio to tell a story. The technology is there; it’s just adapting it. We have some great fun with buggies on the mountain bike course – quite extreme, really! We also had the Peebles Players walking around the park singing and playing musical instruments.

Disability is something that we continue to update and monitor so that we’re always aware of it. We are there to get things done and to help people enjoy themselves. We’re very keen to hear any views from your readers that might be useful to us.