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. |
"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
April/May
The bluebells are fully out, the wild garlic is lush and wood anemones are sprinkled across the forest floor. Oaks are bursting into leaf and it is always interesting to see which ones come out first. Life is growing and showing itself all around us and it’s time to make the most of this emerging push for new for life. The woods and heaths are moors are full of creatures making more life. If you are lucky you may come across a fawn hidden in the woodland undergrowth, left as its mother goes to feed.
Beltane or Beltain is the spring Celtic festival and takes place at the start of May. This is a time full of spring festivals that honour and celebrate the fertility and fecundity of nature, of which we are a part. The old festivals were about the marriage of opposites, sacred union, woodland frolics, merrymaking - and it is hard to talk about it without mentioning procreation or sex! The later Christian festivals toned down this festival, taking the maypole dancing and making it about purity rather than focusing on ensuring the fertility of the land.
In ancient traditions a bel-tene is a good fire, and people still celebrate by making a good fire and jumping across it, especially with your betrothed. Whilst we can’t promise we will be jumping fires this May Day, we are in the woods and busy running groups, watching new life emerge and getting our growing area finished so we can grow tree seedlings, herbs and vegetables.
April/May 2021 SESSION NEWS
We adhere to Government guidelines and update our Covid risk assessment at least each month.
- Wild Explorers project is running as normal. If you are a family or agency and are interested, please contact us. Our Friday funded Parent Toddler group may have spaces - email sarah@nerochewoodlanders.org
- We are running just ONE session for families with disabilities at Half Term, funded by the Community Inclusion Team.
- Young Saplings has started and bookings are open.
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 |
Our funders, supporters & partners |
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