Events coming up:
- Weston Woods, Wildlife & You! – Saturday 24th January 2026 2-4pm at Otley Commons
- RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch – Friday 23-Sunday 25 January 2026
- Rhododendron removal – Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th February 2026 – Come for an hour, or all weekend! Tough gloves recommended. Tools will be provided. See below for more details.
Come & discover what’s going on in Weston Woods
Friends of Weston Woods are having an afternoon event to update everyone on progress in Weston Woods on Saturday 24th January 2-4pm at Otley Commons (65 Walkergate, Otley, LS21 1AG).
We will be presenting the results of our Community Consultation last year, discoveries from wildlife surveys, and the vital role our woodland plays in the local landscape. Learn about future plans and how you can get involved too!
Refreshments provided. All welcome!
RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
Come and spend a peaceful hour counting birds in Weston Woods. It’s an ideal place to take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch which takes place the weekend of 23rd to 25th January. No equipment needed, although warm clothing and binoculars can help!
If you do take part, as well as updating your results to the RSPB we would be grateful if you could send them to us too, with a note of which area of the woods you are in, using either What3Words or a grid ref.
Rhododendron removal weekend
This is a fantastic opportunity to get some exercise in the fresh air! Come and help us remove the invasive Rhododendron plants that threaten the healthy biodiversity of the woods. The work will be carried out from 10-4 each day, and led by experts from Protect Earth. Come for as long as you like or just an hour! Particularly good for helping teenagers let off steam, but please ensure all under 18s are accompanied by an adult. Warm, tough gloves are recommended. Tools will be provided.
To help preparations, please book a place (not essential, you can just turn up) here.
Walk in Weston Woods
We had a very pleasant walk around the woods with some very instructive facts about woodlands and their care from Geoff Lomas. If anyone would like to know more about the woods, please get in touch at info@mant.org.uk
Ilkley Carnival Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help at the 2025 Ilkley Carnival to raise money for MANT and Weston Woods. Your support is very much apprectiated. We raised an amazing £475!
FoWW Auction raised £3000!
Thanks to everyone who helped raise this amazing amount, the generous donations from everyone who promised something in the auction, and of course, all those lovely people who bid so willingly on the items. This is a fantastic result! We are now within £1500 of our target!
If you have won an item, you will be put in touch with the donor in the next few days. Thank you for your patience!
For Working Parties in Weston Woods, please click here.
Working Parties:
October Working Party
Once again, we sowed all the wildflower seeds we collected in August, and potted on any from last year, for planting out in wild areas in the future.
Balsam Bashing Working Party
Our hard work has been making a difference to the amount of Himalayan Balsam in High Royds. This year’s Bashing (well, pulling up) made further inroads into the invasive plant, reducing its spread towards the stream on the south of the site.
Bird Walks
Bird walks are changing to a seasonal event. The next bird walk will be shown here, when it has been arranged.
Scything Event
We are hoping to hold a Scything workshop in Miss Porritt’s field towards the end of June – watch this space, and contact us at info@mant.org.uk if you are interested in attending.
Previous Working Parties
March Working Party
A dent was made in the tree guard population in High Royds on Sunday 12th March. There are still thousands on site, but at least a few trees can grow more freely now! Thanks to all who helped.
Bird Box making workshop
Even excessive heat and punishing sunshine didn’t deter a sizable group of seed collectors in August. Much Yellow Rattle was gathered, and many other useful wildflowers. Thanks to all who braved the conditions, and have since been cleaning and storing the seeds ready for sowing later this autumn.
These seeds have now been lovingly sown into pots to grow as plug plants for planting out at a later date.
The third working party found several people potting on wild flowers, for planting in Miss Porritt’s (or elsewhere) next spring.
Balsam Bashing in High Royds proved to be an enjoyable, if hot afternoon. Thank you to all who came and helped. It is certainly worthwhile removing the plant while the infestation is still at a manageable level.
Our first and second working parties successfully demolished some old fencing in Miss Porritt’s field. Great work all round. And found two frogs happy in a corner.
Bird Walks
MANT Bird Walks continue on Thursday 18th August. As usual, Meet outside Kirklands at 9am for a 9:10am departure. The walk will take about an hour, and will end near the Cornerstone Cafe. Bring binoculars, if you have them, and enthusiasm, but please, no dogs, as they tend to scare the birds off.
The first MANT Bird Walk happened on Thursday 21st July. Much enjoyed by all who attended.
If possible, please email info@mant.org.uk to say you are coming.
Miss Porritt’s Jubilee Picnic
Saturday 4th June 12-4pm, in Miss Porritt’s Field – FREE
Take a break from all the loud celebrations and come and relax in the wild surroundings of Miss Porritt’s Field in the centre of Menston. Bring your own picnic and drink and see how many different creepy crawlies or wild flowers you can find.
Future Meetings:
Our first General Meeting was held on 3rd February 2022 7:30pm via Zoom. The date of the next General Meeting is yet to be decided.
Future Events: