Friends of Mag Wood | Huddersfield

THE TOURS

The guided four-season tours, which are free, start from the Bridgewood Trust car park off Bank Foot Lane, Armitage Bridge at times and dates to be announced. They last about one hour and 10 minutes and involve about two miles of walking, some of it on steep and rough land. The route returns to where it started. It is regrettably impossible to adapt the woods to cater for non-walkers.

We will look briefly at the geology and history of the wood and the area in general as background information, but will focus on its biology and evolution, its flora and fauna. Our objective will be to understand a little better what's going on in a wood, and why it's such a beautiful and important part of our landscape.

In summer, four days out of five it's OK to go into the wood with light footwear like trainers or even sandals. But if it has rained, or is raining, heavily, the paths can get boggy and slippy, and stout footwear like wellies or hiking boots is recommended. In winter, especially in snowy and icy weather, stout footwear is essential. Climate can be unpredictable. Rainfall quickly penetrates the canopy, particularly in winter and spring. Come equipped with this in mind.

Tours may be cancelled in the event of strong winds, which is about the only time woodland is dangerous.

Mag Wood is very popular with dog walkers. The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 exempts dog owners from cleaning up after their animals in woodland, agricultural and rural common land. We would hope that since only about 2% of Mag Wood's area is recognised footpath, dog owners would behave responsibly and oblige their animals to excrete off the paths. This is not always the case: so watch where you walk, and remember also that the wood is traversed by a bridleway much used by horses …

Try to dress inconspicuously. Browns, greys and greens are good. Birds and animals interpret strong 'unnatural' colours as danger signals. They will also disappear if they hear loud (threatening) noises, so go quietly. Stick close to your guide, so you don't force him/her to speak loudly either.

Many wildlife sightings in woodland can last mere seconds. If you have cameras, recording equipment and/or binoculars, keep them to hand ready for immediate use.

Check out the new NEWS PAGE for the latest info!

CONTACT FOMW:

John Avison, 8 Club Houses, Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield HD4 7NU

Email: mag_woodsman@yahoo.co.uk

FRIENDS OF MAG WOOD was set up at the beginning of 2013 to protect, preserve, maintain and enjoy the woodlands that can be found between Netherton, Armitage Bridge and Magdale.

The concept of voluntary groups forming to cherish and look after their local woodlands is well established. We are linked politically with many other groups in the Kirklees area, all of whom come together under the umbrella organisation Natural Kirklees, and all of whom have broadly the same objectives.

All believe that open woodlands are a vital part of the character of the area in which we live: a place for wildlife and biodiversity, a place for human relaxation and contemplation, a small part of the UK ecosystem that forms the green 'lung' of the planet.

MAG WOOD?

Mag Wood is a narrow strip of mainly deciduous woodland running roughly north-south on the west bank of the river Holme about three miles south of Huddersfield town centre, West Yorkshire. It is bounded on the north by Bank Foot Lane, Armitage Bridge and on the south by Sandbeds Lane, Magdale, Honley.

Its adjacent woodlands are:

Old Spring Wood, on steep slopes west of the Brooke's Mill complex and bordered on the west by Bourn View Road, on the south by Bank Foot Lane, and Armitage Road to the north. It is linked to Mag Wood via a footpath that crosses Moor Lane, Netherton at its junction with Bank Foot Lane, Armitage Bridge.

Spring Wood, linked to Mag Wood on the northern banks of the Mag stream and reaching to southern Netherton

Daffy Wood, bounded by Butternab Road and the B6108 Meltham Road.

Older residents often call Mag Wood either Nan Hob Wood (the southern bit nearest Steps) or Brooke Wood (the northern area, closest to Armitage Bridge House). Some residents know it as Pig Wood: many years ago, farmers let their pigs forage for acorns in it.

Welcome!

And please join us!