A fun and action filled event, organised by the Friends of Ilkley Moor, took place on August 18th on Ilkley Moor. The Ilkley Explorers event was organised so that people, in particular young people, could explore Ilkley Moor in a fun way. 8 adults and 12 children braved the rain to explore Ilkley Moor through the practical tasks of building a shelter using natural materials, learning how to use a compass and measuring the direction and speed of the wind.
People learnt how to coppice wood from willow and hazel and how to use this to make a dome frame for the shelter, they then collected bracken and used this to thatch the shelter. The task also involved learning how to identify willow and hazel trees and how to use materials in their natural environment for practical things. The young people also enjoyed clambering over rocks, running through the heather, exploring the land to find a suitable place to construct the shelter and working as a group on a shared task. Everyone had a great time on the event and we look forward to the remaining dates in this year’s events and learning programme.
The events programme and heritage walks can be downloaded from the FOIM website www.ilkleymoor.org or collected from Ilkley Information Centre and shops in the Town.
From Tracy Gray FOIM Project Officer. For further information contact Tracy Gray FOIM Project Officer on 07780535860