Seven people had an informative and fun filled afternoon as part of FoIM’s Ilkley Explorers event – the thirteenth of twenty seven events to be held on Ilkley moor during the summer months. The group were shown how to make a traditional shelter using materials from the moor. They learnt the techniques of coppicing from willow trees and thatching from bracken. The shelter as many modern applications: a fun den for children, a survival shelter, a pretty addition to gardens or a frame for growing climbing plants. They also learnt how to use a compass, measuring the direction and the speed of the wind and discovering natural spring water.
This activity is part of a wider educational project currently being developed by FoIM to provide people with the opportunity to learn and rediscover how to use natural materials on Ilkley Moor for practical purposes. Taking what’s seen as a difficult management issue ie the control of bracken and making it into a local resource.
Project Officer Tracy Gray said “it is hoped that once the educational project is up and running and people see the great things that can be done with bracken, local people will adopt their bracken patch, cut it and use it for useful things in their garden and at the same time help manage this very difficult to control plant.”
Information about future events can be downloaded from the Friends website www.ilkleymoor.org or collected from Ilkley Information Office and also in shops and cafes in the Town.
From Barry Wilkinson Press Officer 07831-505051
Further information from Tracy Gray 07854 447947