Working with nature
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Neroche Woodlanders is a social enterprise based at Young Wood, one hundred acres of magical and beautiful forest on the edge of the Blackdown Hills near Taunton in Somerset.
Young Wood is a wild, inspiring place where nature is our setting, our muse and our guide. We work with that nature to improve people's lives, while making the woods richer for wildlife. We encourage children, young people, adults, families and organisations to learn about the nature around them, to find their own place in the world, to build connections with others and to experience a deeper connection with their own wild nature. Through all of this we aim to celebrate the beauty and diversity of this Earth and to do our part to help care for it. If you want to support our charitable work with a donation you can do so here |
"Your work is inspirational and such a good example of diverse partners coming together and innovating in the care and support of vulnerable people. Hugely down to your energy and commitment I’m sure. It’s been a pleasure to learn about you and I wish you the very best for Neroche Woodlanders and all who sail in her."
John Muir Award England Inclusion Manager
What a wonderful 3 hours with such incredible facilitators, volunteers and 4 other families. It’s such a gift to access a few moments to have ‘normal’ conversations with other adults around the camp fire knowing all the children are Safe with the ‘yes space’ along with brilliant creative thinking meaning you can really relax.
Parent of child with disability
December 2022
December is starting damp and chilly, and the woods are dripping wet and misty as I write. We are grateful that is has turned cold at last, and welcome the fingers of frost that penetrate into the ground and remind us, and all the other beings, that now is the time for things to slow down.
These temperate and northern lands have seasons because of the tilt of Earth on her axis - the invisible line around which she rotates – which is relative to her orbital plane, the way she goes around the Sun. So, in the winter, the northern hemisphere of Earth is tilted away from the Sun, giving us fewer hours of daylight. We head for the winter solstice on the 21st December, the day with least daylight hours. If you want to understand the movements of the astral bodies more the education section on National Geographic Society webpages are great.
It can feel really too busy or emotionally overwhelming as so many expectations of what the Christmas holidays should look like all land on our tired bodies. It is good to take some time out to rest, replenish and be. The dark evenings are perfect for contemplating dreams of the coming year, reading or writing poetry. Here is the National Poetry Library… see what you can find! There are no activities in the woods between Christmas Eve and the New Year, as we rest and so does the place.
Emmonsails Heath in Winter – John Clare
I love to see the old heath's withered brake
Mingle its crimpled leaves with furze and ling,
While the old heron from the lonely lake
Starts slow and flaps his melancholy wing,
And oddling crow in idle motions swing
On the half rotten ashtree's topmost twig,
Beside whose trunk the gipsy makes his bed.
Up flies the bouncing woodcock from the brig
Where a black quagmire quakes beneath the tread,
The fieldfares chatter in the whistling thorn
And for the awe round fields and closen rove,
And coy bumbarrels twenty in a drove
Flit down the hedgerows in the frozen plain
And hang on little twigs and start again.
I love to see the old heath's withered brake
Mingle its crimpled leaves with furze and ling,
While the old heron from the lonely lake
Starts slow and flaps his melancholy wing,
And oddling crow in idle motions swing
On the half rotten ashtree's topmost twig,
Beside whose trunk the gipsy makes his bed.
Up flies the bouncing woodcock from the brig
Where a black quagmire quakes beneath the tread,
The fieldfares chatter in the whistling thorn
And for the awe round fields and closen rove,
And coy bumbarrels twenty in a drove
Flit down the hedgerows in the frozen plain
And hang on little twigs and start again.
Woodland Wellbeing
New dates for 2023
Young Saplings
We are fully booked, however, please get in touch if you would like to go on the waiting list as children move on to other places or pre-schools - contact Sarah for the waiting list sarah@nerochewoodlanders.org.
NCV sessions
NCV are busy in the woods and other places on Wednesdays and you are welcome to join in. Contact Gavin gavin@nerochewoodlanders.org
RiseUpWild
New dates for the autumn term for 11-14year olds. Some places funded and others are paying - click here to book
Woodland Wellbeing
New dates for 2023
Young Saplings
We are fully booked, however, please get in touch if you would like to go on the waiting list as children move on to other places or pre-schools - contact Sarah for the waiting list sarah@nerochewoodlanders.org.
NCV sessions
NCV are busy in the woods and other places on Wednesdays and you are welcome to join in. Contact Gavin gavin@nerochewoodlanders.org
RiseUpWild
New dates for the autumn term for 11-14year olds. Some places funded and others are paying - click here to book
Calendar
Our Woodland Location
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Directions to Young Wood, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton TA3 5AZ Two miles south of Taunton in Somerset, near the village of Staple Fitzpaine To find us please download these directions. DON'T USE SATNAV or GOOGLE DIRECTIONS |
Don't use SATNAV or Google Directions. Instead download the What3Words App and search for
Entrance to the gateway of the site on the main road is - fade.pinging.doing
Car park is - ordeals.text.result
Main Camp is - tightest.existence.leafing
Entrance to the gateway of the site on the main road is - fade.pinging.doing
Car park is - ordeals.text.result
Main Camp is - tightest.existence.leafing
Our funders, supporters & partners |
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