Previous Field Trips

Planning Meeting 10 am, at YMCA Thornton Road.   

The meeting begins at 10am and will last until early afternoon. You may wish to bring lunch with you. The kettle will be to hand. 

There is mixture of wetland and woodland habitats attracting a range of commoner birds but also marsh harriers and sometimes a black necked grebe, as well as woodpeckers, tits and perhaps some arriving warblers. There have been significant upgrades to this site since our last visit, including a new visitor centre with facilities.
The site is mainly flat with well-made paths and a number of hides. 

Leaders:  Julia Pearson
Minibus transport; depart Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost: £8

Today we will be using public transport and sharing cars. We visit the village that was used in the early days of the filming for 'Emmerdale Farm'.  Our plan is to walk through the two adjacent woods - Jerrison and Spring Woods - looking for resident bird species as well as identifying tree/shrub growth and possibly any early flowers that have put in an appearance.  The walk will involve some uphill terrain on relatively good pathways but be prepared for mud.  This can be co-ordinated through the walk leader.

The meeting point will be the car park in Esholt village at 10am

Leaders: Sally Tetlow and Alice Gingell
No Minibus transport; Cost: £2

This will be the group's first ever visit to this private estate which lies in the village of the same name just off the A65 west of Settle.  The grounds are open on Sundays & Mondays from the middle to the end of Feb each year so visitors can enjoy the displays of snowdrops. They have however agreed to open on a Tuesday provided we can guarantee a party of 10 or more.
There will be an entry charge per person of £4, which we need with your booking and is non-refundable in the case of cancellation.  Toilets are available.
The site also holds a scarce fungus which can be found underneath their cedars.

Leaders: John Gavaghan and Lorna Leeming
Minibus transport; depart Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost: £10, plus £4 entrance - £14

Our visit today takes us to a SSSI site adjacent to Golden Acre Park, nr Leeds.  The site is a diverse example of a wet valley alder wood giving way to a drier woodland habitat.  Footpaths are good, although at this time of year mud will undoubtedly be evident underfoot.  The southern end of the reserve contains Paul's Pond, which is frequented in winter by wildfowl and occasional visiting kingfishers.  Sightings of woodlands birds should be expected.  Walking distance should not exceed 2 - 3 miles.

Leaders: Sally Tetlow and John Gavaghan
Minibus transport; depart Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost: £6

10am -12noon  – training to use the blog. 

New Year’s Social  - 12.30 – 4pm

We will gather at the Unitarian Church to share a review of 2017 and look forward to 2018, so an opportunity to share your ideas for trips in the summer. Please bring food to share and get your thinking caps on for the quiz.

Coordinators: Sally Tetlow and Alice Gingell   Cost: £3

We will walk along the canal from Foulridge Wharf heading north to Mill Hill Bridge a total of less than 4 miles. There might be the option to walk back across the fields, though returning on the canal will be possible if you choose. Wrap up warmly. If the weather makes this trip difficult we may alter our destination to be closer to home.

Leader: John Gavaghan and Alice Gingell
Minibus transport; depart Unitarian Church 9.30am. Cost £8.

10am – meet at the Unitarian Church, Little Horton for a selection of digital images from members.

We will follow this with our Christmas meal at the Calverley Arms Hotel. Details will be sent to those showing interest at a later date.

Transport from the Unitarian Church to the meal will be available. There is a £3 charge to cover room hire the morning.

Coordinators Meal: Marilyn Barber Meeting: Margaret Rees