A walk in the woods is known to benefit both body and mind. We’re lucky in Ludlow to be minutes away from the breathtakingly beautiful Mortimer Forest, an area rich in wildlife with a varied landscape of hills and valleys, open heathland and dense woodland. A local organisation, the Friends of Mortimer Forest (FOMF), was set up to “help preserve and enhance the natural environment in Mortimer Forest and to encourage its use to promote mental and physical health and educational activities”.
FOMF has put together various events and activities this spring and summer, culminating in the wonderful Festival of the Forest, a celebration of all that nature has to offer and a great excuse to get into the great outdoors.
Public Meeting – Wednesday 12th April
All are welcome to attend this meeting at the Ludlow Methodist Church from 6:30 to 7 pm. There will be a talk on what we can learn from the geology of Mortimer Forest by Michael Rosenbaum. It will allow attendees to hear about the charity’s progress and upcoming local events and activities plans. In addition, you can meet fellow members and share your feedback. No RSVP is required.
Birds of Mortimer Forest – Thursday, 20th April
The early birds among us will enjoy our next guided walk at 5:30 am in the Mortimer Forest to hear the bird song with local expert Dave Pearce. The walk is a great way to improve identification skills, especially in woodland, where seeing the birds is only sometimes possible amongst dense foliage. Please email the charity to book a place: info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk
Colin Richards, ‘A life amongst ruins’ – St Mary’s Church in Elton on Sunday 14th May at 11.15 am
A 30-minute talk by charity chairman Colin Richards explores the sites and people who helped to shape a career which began with work along the Welsh Borders to working alongside and leading conservation practitioners in Poland, Slovenia, France, Germany, Romania, and China. At St Mary’s Church in Elton as part of the Sunday service on Sunday 14th May at 11.15 am. There is plenty of parking at the church and coffee and cake afterwards.
If you have any questions, please contact us (info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk). No RSVP is needed. Please come and enjoy the service and talk.
A guided walk with Katie Miller on the anthropology of Mortimer Forest – Saturday, 20th May
This guided walk will reveal the signs of life and activities of early people who lived in the Mortimer Forest. You will look for the characters they left behind and how to detect their presence from the landscape. This walk is an insight into the past, how people lived, how they used the forest as a vital resource, and how we can see their presence today.
Festival of Forest returns on 11th June 2023, from 10 am to 4 pm
A celebration of traditional woodland crafts and produce, with live demonstrations of rural skills. Charity stands, stalls selling produce, and guided walks in the surrounding forest. Please join us on Sunday, 11th June, at Monstay Farm, opposite the Vinnalls Car Park, Mortimer Forest, Shropshire, SY8 2HE, parking on site. If you want to sell your goods or demonstrate at the festival, please get in touch. It is £25 per plot: info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk
Coming soon
- Dragonflies and Damsel flies in the Mortimer Forest, how to monitor and record aquatic species.
- Mushrooming walk in the autumn
- Friends of Mortimer Forest and Forestry England arrange a visit for residents of Ludlow Care Homes to see the bluebells in the Mortimer Forest
For more information, visit the FRIENDS OF MORTIMER FOREST website or follow them on social media:
