The Friends are constantly looking at new projects in the forest. If you would like to become involved, like more details, have ideas, or any comments on what should happen in Dalby Forest, please contact: Friends of Dalby Forest, c/o Forestry Commission Outgang Road, Pickering, North Yorks, YO18 7EL,
e-mail using this link, or use the forms in the Visitor Centre and place them in our suggestion box.

Current Projects

Enchanted Wood:

Work on the Enchanted Wood is progressing well. Although the volunteer day on Saturday 14th November was cancelled due to forecast severe weather volunteers were mobilised on the Friday and Sunday when they moved woodchip into the Enchanted Wood, cleared weeds brambles and other vegetation from the fairy glade, improved the path down to the fairy glade and worked on the entrance shown in the photograph below.
Scarborough Conservation Volunteers with the Scarborough Countryside unit did a marvellous job on Wednesday 7th October creating a new entrance and extending the wall by the new cycle track.

We are very grateful for all the hard work this group have done to help the Friends


Dalby 100
The Friends in consultation with The Forestry Commission selected 100 trees around the Pexton Moor Walk to protect from felling and preserve to become veteran trees of the future. These trees have recently been re-measured and the Friends are planning a map of the project. Any other appropriate ideas associated with these 100 trees would be considered by the friends to promote this project. A group of the friends recently visited another woodland to view really ancient trees and took the opportunity to stand inside one ancient hollow tree.

Previous Projects

Wheelchairs:

The first Project was the provision of an electric buggy to allow less able visitors to enjoy a trip around the Dalby Beck walk. This was funded completely from membership fees and was delivered in 2005.

In 2006 two manual wheelchairs were provided, and in July 2007 the Friends provided a second electric buggy.
The wheel chairs and buggies are now available free of charge from the Atrium in The New Visitors Centre.
It is advisable to book and the number to ring is: 01751 460295    

Seating:
The Friends of Dalby Forest have purchased numerous benches and donated them to the Forestry Commission. 

Some have been placed at:-

Pexton Moor - viewpoint                                                                                                                        
Dalby Beck Trail - near view of fields and valley
Sneverdale play area
Waitcliffe, Bickley car park - viewpoint over Langdale
Staindale Lake - view from dam across lake
Crosscliffe trail - viewpoint

Other Forestry Commission benches have been placed at Adderstone; Deepdale; the Dalby yellow trail. Picnic tables for those with special needs, with improvements to the access, have been provided along the Waitcliff Trail from Bickley Gate. These afford spectacular views over Deepdale and  Langdale Forest.

Successful Project: 
2005 Woodland Festival. To read more about it click on the link.

2007 Woodland Festival.Took place over the 14th, 15th and 16th of September 2007. A three day fair based around charcoal burning and associated woodland crafts. There was a traditional charcoal kiln. Discover the story and influence of charcoal. Local craftsmen displayed their products and demonstrated their skills e.g. hurdle fencing, outdoor forge, stick making, possible chainsaw carving.

Completed projects: 
Play furniture:           
The forestry commission provided the money to update the play area at Adderstone.

The play area at Sneverdale was updated to help children with special needs thanks to funding from “YorVenture”

Publicity:

Thanks to a grant from Yorkshire Forward, posters are on display in the Ryedale District  Council information centres where FODF leaflets are available. FODF leaflets are also available at Keldy and Dalby visitors centres and on the Moors Bus. These are replenished yearly

Nest Boxes:

As part of our conservation work a number of nest boxes were purchased.

These were placed in suitable areas in order that we may have more insight into the breeding populations of some of the birds in the forest and hopefully encourage some of the scarcer species to nest.

In the early part of 2007 more nest boxes, which are numbered, were put in place along the beck at Staindale.

The Friends in partnership with other local organisations are constantly looking at new projects in the forest. If you would like to become involved with any of the above, would like more details, have ideas, or any comments on what should happen in Dalby Forest, please contact: Friends of Dalby Forest, c/o Forestry Commission Outgang Road, Pickering, North Yorks, YO18 7EL Tel: 01751 472771 or e-mail using this link, or use the forms in the Visitor Centre and place them in our suggestion box.