Mortimer Forest Events
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The Friends of Mortimer Forest offer a range of nature focused walks, talks and activities for our members throughout the year. We hope that you enjoy the projects we are planning. If you have an area of expertise and would like to lead a future walk please contact us. Thank you to all who have contributed to the successful programme so far.
We advertise our guided walks and provide approximate timings and an indication of the level of ability needed for each walk. Please exercise your own judgement when joining the walks, they are of mixed ability, usually on woodland tracks on varied terrain. Please contact us in advance if you have any questions about walk ability or suitability.
July 2024
The Festival of the Forest
Variety Show
A host of (mainly local) professionals, ex-professionals and very talented students will perform a wonderful variety of music from classical to folk, violin solos to piano solos, operatic moments, comedy songs and songs from the shows. Alistair will provide comedy and poetry with other acts still to be added. It should be a very special night with something for almost everyone!
The show will take place at St. Laurence’s Church in Ludlow, Shropshire a stunning venue known for its outstanding acoustics. A great evening celebrating the arts. Proceeds support the work of the Friends of Mortimer Forest in their ecological, wildlife and local community projects.
Please note, if you present your Variety Show ticket at The Festival of the Forest on Saturday 13th July it will enable free entry for one adult.
The festival celebrates traditional crafts and forest skills, and runs from 10-4pm at Monstay Farm, opposite the Vinnalls Car Park, Mortimer Forest (SY8 2HE). With special thanks to Alistair McGowan, to all the entertainers and performers, and to St Laurence’s Church for hosting
Buy tickets at The Ludlow Assembly Rooms online or in person at the box office (£23 per person, with free entry to the festival of the forest)
May 2024
Dawn Chorus Walk
Photography workshop
Email info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk to book your place and we will be in touch with location details (a private property just outside Ludlow, Mortimer Forest) and payment information.
April 2024
Choice of 3 Guided Walks and a Picnic
Joint Severn Tree Trust and Friends of Mortimer Forest for guided walks and a picnic on Saturday 20th April. There are three parts to this event (a morning walk, picnic, and option of two afternoon walks). You can come to any or all of them:
PART 1. Morning walk in Bringewood (the northern part of Mortimer Forest) Postcode SY8 2HD / Grid ref: SO481737
Meet at 9.30-10am at Mary Knoll Cottage which is on the left of the Ludlow to Wigmore Road, 2 miles (3 kilometres) from Ludford Corner. Robert and Helen Owen have kindly given us permission to park there.
Directions: Follow the road to Wigmore and Burrington from just south of Ludford Bridge in Ludlow, starting up a steepish hill. About 2 miles (3 kilometres) out of Ludlow look for a sign on the left to “Mary Knoll Cottage” where there is a short track leading the parking area. Park as neatly as possible where instructed. There is space for about twenty cars but not more. Please share lifts if possible to reduce emissions and the need for parking spaces.
On the morning walk we shall first descend down a steep path on the opposite side of the road to join the track which runs along the pipeline from Elan Valley to Birmingham. We will then walk westwards through commercial forests, with fine views north to Downton Castle and the Clee Hills. We shall reach Deep Wood and see impressive aqueducts for the Elan Valley pipeline and also two huge lime trees. We shall then return eastwards, either on the level footpath or by another more up-and-down route. Total distance: 5 km (3.5 miles).
PART 2. Picnic lunch
Bring your own picnic. Bring waterproofs if the weather is likely to be wet. Those who have done the morning walk will be returning to Mary Knoll Cottage. We are kindly invited to have our picnics on the terrace of Mary Knoll House at about 12.30.
Afterwards we shall drive on to the Vinnalls Car Park. The car park is off the Ludlow to Wigmore road, 2½ miles south-west of Ludlow
Directions: from Mary Knoll Cottage head west for about half a mile (1 kilometre) Postcode SY8 2HG / Grid ref Grid ref: SO474731
Those not doing the morning walk will probably find it easiest to picnic at the Vinnalls car park – there are some picnic tables and you will be in the right place for the afternoon walk. Directions – as for Mary Knoll Cottage but drive on until you reach the Vinnals car park, about 3 miles (5 kilometres) from Ludford Corner.
PART 3. Afternoon choice of walks from Vinnalls car park
Arrive at Vinnalls car park by 1.30. The morning walkers should arrive by then but obviously timings may vary.
We won’t set off on walks before 1.30.
You can choose either a shortish or more strenuous walk:
* A 1-mile walk to see native trees, ponds and some magnificent mature Douglas firs.
** A 4-mile walk over High Vinnals to a panoramic viewpoint, then onto Hanway Common to view some veteran trees (mainly sessile and pedunculate oaks) which feature on the Woodland Trust Ancient Tree Inventory.
IMPORTANT RSVP information. Please respond with the names of all walkers, for one or any combination of the following to: info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk
– AM Walk
– Picnic
– PM Walk (1 mile)
– PM Walk (4 miles)
Mowley Wood visit
February 2024
January 2024
November 2023
October 2023
GUEST SPEAKER & PUBLIC MEETING – Rosemary Winnall and a charity update
The Friends of Mortimer Forest are hosting a public meeting (free to attend) at the Ludlow Methodist Church on Wednesday 11th October at 6pm for 7pm start.
You will hear from the charity about our plans for the coming weeks and months and have your say in the direction and aims for the future.
We are delighted to have a fantastic guest speaker, Rosemary Winnall (MBE, for services to the natural environment), a founding member of the Wyre Forest Discovery Centre.
Rosemary is an expert on woodland wildlife and ecology, and author of The Nature of Wyre. She was instrumental in the formation of the “Wyre Forest Study Group” an organisation that monitors wildlife in the Wyre Forest. She has worked closely with Forestry England on her projects, something the charity hopes to do the same locally.
FREE to attend. Tea and biscuits will be available from 6pm, talks from 7pm – we hope very much that you can join us. All are welcome, no RSVP required. If you have any questions please contact us: info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk
September 2023
August 2023
Family Guided Walk
More details to follow:
This will be a circular 2.5 hr walk setting off from the Vinnalls Car Park. Find us off the Ludlow to Wigmore road, 2½ miles south-west of Ludlow (Grid ref: SO474731).
Please bring outdoor clothing and walking boots. You may wish to bring binoculars, a snack and a drink.
RSVP by email is essential, limited capacity event (25 max).
All children attending the walk are the responsibility of the adult attending with them. Please exercise your own judgement if the walk is suitable for the children you bring, it is on mixed woodland terrain with some hills.
If you have any questions please contact us and RSVP with names and all attendees to: info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk
August Guided Walk
A guided walk looking at the nature of the Mortimer Forest with with David Arbuthnott, FOMF committee member, local naturalist & wildlife photographer.
This will be a circular walk setting off from the Vinnalls Car Park. Find us off the Ludlow to Wigmore road, 2½ miles south-west of Ludlow (Grid ref: SO474731).
The route is suitable for good walkers, the terrain is mixed woodland and can be steep.
Please bring outdoor clothing and walking boots. You may wish to bring binoculars, a snack and a drink.
RSVP by email is essential, limited capacity event (25 max).
If you have any questions please contact us and RSVP with names and all attendees to: info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk
July 2023
Summer Guided Walk
A guided walk looking at the nature of the Mortimer Forest with with David Arbuthnott, FOMF committee member, local naturalist & wildlife photographer.
This will be a circular walk setting off from the Vinnalls Car Park. Find us off the Ludlow to Wigmore road, 2½ miles south-west of Ludlow (Grid ref: SO474731).
The route is suitable for good walkers, the terrain is mixed woodland and can be steep.
Please bring outdoor clothing and walking boots. You may wish to bring binoculars, a snack and a drink.
RSVP by email is essential, limited capacity event (25 max).
If you have any questions please contact us and RSVP with names and all attendees to: info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk
Ludlow Green Festival
The Friends of Mortimer Forest will be attending the festival on Sunday 9th July 2023 from 10-4pm in Ludlow Castle Square.
Please save the date and come to meet fellow members, or find out about the charity and our work.
June 2023
May 2023
All are welcome at St Mary’s Church, Elton on Sunday 14th May. You can attend the Sunday service and listen to a short 20-30 minute presentation by the chairman, Colin Richards, on his fascinating career and passion for building restoration and conservation.
April 2023
February 2023
January 2023
Sam is a member of the Shropshire Dormouse Group Committee, a group run by volunteers who monitor dormice under licence, contributing data to the People’s Trust for Endangered Species’ National Dormouse Monitoring Programme. They also carry out habitat management work to help restore natural habitat for dormice and other wildlife, and carry out training sessions to educate people about the necessity of protecting dormice from further decline. Sam also runs her own business offering Wildlife Education Sessions.
This is a continuation of the Survey session we held in Mortimer Forest last November and it is our intention to carry out more surveys and habitat restoration in 2023.
Refreshments will be severed. There is no need to book in advance, payment on the door can be made on the day
2022
This is our New Year Market & Craft Fayer, postponed in December and now taking place on Saturday 7th January 2023.
We hope to see as many of our members as possible. This date has been selected as it is the traditional date from Christmas celebrations in Ukraine. The event will be free to attend, and there will be a table top sale and charity raffle. The proceeds are in aid of The Ludlow Ukraine Support Group.
A fun family day, with entertainment from Ludlow Men’s Shed, with a plate smashing stand, and Brimfield Vintage will be in attendance showing off their vintage vehicles and tractors.
The event will run alongside the Ludlow Refugee Support Group, who are selling Ukrainian food and drinks from the Ludlow Brewery.
Please save the date and spread the word with friends and family who would enjoy this event.
We have been asked by our members to host a guided walk between Christmas and New Year, so, back by popular demand is a guided walk by Colin Richard, chairman of the Friends of Mortimer Forest.
The guided walk is free to attend, donations to the charity are welcomed. We hope you can make it, please RSVP by email with all attendees names listed.
Many charitable organisations in Ludlow and the surrounding area are engaged in incredible humanitarian work helping the displaced Ukrainian people cope with living in the often remote areas of the Welsh Marches. Hands Together Ludlow amongst others are helping support English lessons and providing transport and economic support to the group. Many of the Ukrainian guests are keen to understand and learn about the culture of the area in which they find themselves.
The Friends of Mortimer Forest offered to help provide access to the forest and deliver guided history and nature walks to assist with this. The Ludlow Ukrainian support group have responded by saying that this will be much appreciated in the Spring, and they would welcome the opportunity to help with the organisation and displays at the 2023 Festival of the Forest. However, at this very moment the most pressing need is funds to help with transport and other outlays in supporting the group.
To this end The Friends of Mortimer Forest with the kind support of Ludlow Brewery will be staging Santa’s Christmas Market at the Brewery yard on Sunday 11th December 10-3pm.
Vintage vehicles will also be on display courtesy of Brimfield Vintage Club. Ludlow Men’s Shed will have a coconut-shy, and Ludlow Hand’s Together knit and natter group will be selling Christmas wreaths. The Friends of Mortimer Forest will also be having a stand selling bric-a-brac, cakes, mulled wine and mince pies. Donations for items to this stand are warmly welcomed.
Stall space is limited to 40 units with the charge of £10 per stall so book early to secure a space. Stall holders will need to bring their own table/cover.
All proceeds from the FOMF stand and the stall fees will go to the Ludlow Ukrainian support group who will also be present. This is not a political event just local people and organisations offering a helping hand to those less fortunate than themselves.
The event is free to attend, a family day out, and all are welcome.
AT CAPACITY
Thank you to all who have been in touch about the wreath making and winter walk on Sunday. We have contacted everyone by email who has secured a place for the class.
If for any reason you are unable to attend please contact us as we have a reserve list of people who would be keen join.
For anyone who was not able to attend, look out for more classes from the The Ludlow Flower Farmer on her website and Facebook page, and we hope to host something similar in collaboration with Kim in the future.
We very much look forward to seeing you at Mary Knoll Cottage.
The Ludlow Flower Farmer
Event at capacity.
Christmas Wreath making class and short guided walk on winter plant identification with Kim Ralph, The Ludlow Flower Lady.Capacity: 20 attendees on a first response basis.
It is £10 cash for the class which covers materials for the wreaths. Foliage and decorations will be supplied, preceded by a short walk with Kim who will explain how to forage for the natural materials.What to bring: Bring secateurs, a bag or basket for foraging, and a thermos of hot drink. This event will be indoors in a barn, but it is not heated so we recommend gloves and warm clothes.RSVP: Email us info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk or respond via our website portal to reserve your place.
If you are unable to attend, please let us know so that we can give your space to another member.Location: Mary Knoll Cottage, Whitcliffe, Ludlow, SY8 2HDIf you can offer a CAR SHARE please contact us when your place is confirmed, as other attendees may need lift. There is only parking space for 12 cars.Visit our website for more information: www.friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.ukPlease note that this class is not suitable for children.We are grateful to Kim Ralph for her time to host this class which is discounted for the charity and to Robert and Helen for hosting at Mary Knoll Cottage.We look forward to seeing you!
Event at capacity.
It is £10 cash for the class which covers materials for the wreaths. Foliage and decorations will be supplied, preceded by a short walk with Kim who will explain how to forage for the natural materials.
If you are unable to attend, please let us know so that we can give your space to another member.
Public Meeting
Please join us for our next charity meeting with guest speaker JAMIE AUDSLEY, the new CEO of the Hereford Wildlife Trust.
There will also be a live Q&A.
After the presentations you can meet the Friends of Mortimer Forest team and fellow members, with refreshments provided. More details to follow.
Ludlow Lectures: History and Landscape of Ludlow and the Marches
Tuesday 25th October 10am-1pm
Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Market Square Ludlow SY8 1AZ. Each lecture starts at 10.00am and finishes at 12.00 noon, with a half hour coffee break in the middle.Individual lectures are £5 per person and can be paid on the door. If you wish to sign up the lecture series (25th Oct – 29th Nov) you can pay £25 in advance for all 6 lectures.
Guided Walk
Craft and Industry of the Mortimer Forest
Saturday 1st October at 1:00pm
Our next Guided Walk with the RSPB South Shropshire
A general wildlife walk with the South Shropshire RSPB using forest tracks through mainly conifer woodland with some deciduous and open spaces habitat.
Duration about 2 hours. Sorry no dogs allowed due to nature sightings. No toilets. Please bring good walking shoes, clothing for the weather and optional refreshments.
August Guided Walk
'Mortimer Forest Through History'
A guided walk for the Friends of Mortimer Forest (part II) with the charity chairman, Colin Richards on 21st August in the Mortimer Forest. The walk covered the landscapes, history and nature of the area.
Forest Church
The next session of Outdoor Church will take place in the beautiful Mortimer Forest - Sunday 28th August at 3pm.
Suitable for all ages (and well behaved dogs on leads!), this session will include time to reflect on the wonders of creation, followed by a short prayer walk, and concluding with a 'come and share' picnic.
Please meet at the Vinnalls car park. If you will need a lift or can offer a lift to others, please contact Revd Lawrence Gittins on
lawrence.gittins@stlaurences.org.uk
June Guided Walk
This guided walk has a limited capacity due to the need for the speaker to be audible without disturbing wildlife. Please email info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk to secure a place.
We will list the confirmed attendees below, on the Facebook event page, and respond by email to confirm your attendance.
The birds we hope to see:
Chiffchaff, Bramlings, Cuckoos, Swallows, Warblers, Martins, Wagtails, Redwings, Turtle Doves
May Guided Walk Event at capacity
This guided walk has a limited capacity due to the need for the speaker to be audible without disturbing wildlife. Please email info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk to secure a place.
We will therefore list the attendees within the Facebook event page, and confirm all reserved places below, and by email for those not on social media.
There will be another guided walk for all who were unable to secure a place on this walk. It will be announced to all members by email, on this page on the website and on social media.
The birds we hope to see:
chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, great tit, blue tit, long tailed tit, coal tit, goldfinch, tree creeper, nuthatch, song thrush, blackbird, greater spotted woodpecker.
Possibly pied flycatcher, goldcrest, cuckoo.
Birds of prey - buzzard, sparrow hawk- goshawk also but unlikely to spot one.
Corvids including the jay. Pigeons and doves.
After a close brush with extinction, the pine marten is making the headlines as it recovers its numbers in Britain and Ireland. Renowned pine marten expert and enthusiast John Birks will tell the story of this enchanting mammal, recently seen in the Mortimer Forest.
Please come along to enjoy a talk by our guest speaker. We shall be discussing future projects and volunteering opportunities which will benefit users of the forest and the wider local community.
There will be a Q&A session, so you can have your say in the charity’s direction and its aims, and also hear from a representative from Forestry England.
Speak to the charity members and have your say in the future of the FOMF. There will be a live Q&A session with the charity and Forestry England.
Mortimer Forest and the Iron Industry of Downton Gorge
We hope you will be able to join us on our next history walk, which is planned for April 9th and will be led by David Lovelace, one of our members and a local historian.
The walk will start at 2pm from the High Vinnals Car Park. It is a circular walk of approximately 3 miles. This will be 2 hours on forestry tracks, with some hilly terrain at times.
We will be looking at evidence of charcoal making, lime burning and iron smelting and forging. The area around Bringewood and the Downton Gorge was an important centre of iron production from the 16th to 18th centuries.
Please join us for our first charity pub quiz night! There will be a raffle and prizes for the winning team and runners up.
On Wednesday 30th March 2022 at 8pm, all proceeds go to the charity.
Entry £2.50 per player, teams of 6 people.
If you would like to join, please contact the pub on:
01588 660541
hundredhousepurslow@gmail.com
On Sunday, March 6th, our Chairman, Colin Richards, led a guided walk in Mortimer Forest with talks about the early history of human settlement in the area and its development up to and including the 18th Century. The walk started at the Black Pool car park and ended at the top of High Vinnals, passing through an Iron Age fort on the way up. About 60 people participated and we were accompanied by Sara Pearce, our local Forestry England Community Ranger.
Colin gave us a wealth of fascinating information about how the forest sustained the lives of people, and especially the town of Ludlow, through the ages.
The weather was kind to us (though a trifle chilly). We hope all those who came with us enjoyed the morning and will also join us on our next history walk, which is planned for April 9th and will be led by David Lovelace, one of our members and a local historian, focusing on the history of the Bringewood area and the Downton Gorge, which was an important centre of iron production from the 16th to 18th centuries. The walk will set off from the Vinnals car park at 2pm
The next guided walk ‘Mortimer Forest Through History’ will be led by Colin Richards, the charity chairman.
It will take place on Sunday 6th March at 10am. The meeting point is the Black Pool Car Park, off the B4361 Ludlow to Richard’s Castle road, 2 miles south-west of Ludlow.
Please bring warm clothes, a good waterproof coat and walking shoes. The walk will last approximately 2 hours. You may wish to bring your own refreshments, and it is optional to bring a pair of binoculars to view woodland wildlife whilst walking. Dogs are welcome.
We look forward to seeing you for this guided walk, no RSVP is required, but you can confirm your attendance via the Facebook event to help us manage numbers. We will respond to any questions by email (info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk)
Please keep an eye on this website and on our social media pages for updates about this event which will take place at a later date this year.
In the meantime, you can contact us via our Facebook page or email us (info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk) with any questions, proposals and initiatives that you would like to see take place in 2022.
Please sign up to become a friend of Mortimer Forest if you have not already done so, your support, and that of your friends and family, is crucial for the charity to continue to grow and develop.
December 2021
Photos from the latest guided walk in Mortimer Forest led by Lynn Daley to learn about winter tree identification
A guided walk with Forestry England on tree identification (08.12.21)
Photos from the popular guided walk with Alan Reid of Forestry England. It was a most informative talk and thrilling to hear the sounds of the deer rutting nearby.
A guided walk to see deer in the Mortimer Forest (13.10.21)
The official launch of the Friends of Mortimer Forest, with a talk from our patron Sir Jonathon Porritt (11.09.21)
Forget the Global if we can't secure the Local, the presentation by our patron Sir Jonathon Porritt. Over 350 people came to the event, St Laurence's church was full. You can watch the talk in full via the link above.
The launch of the charity was well attended, with patrons (Rhoderick Swire, second from right), friends and guests in attendance.
A BBQ of venison sausages was a popular choice for the weekend of the Ludlow Food Festival, and a sustainable choice.
A short film (displayed within the 'about us' tab on this website) was played at the start of the event. The film showed information about the forest's rich history and abundant wildlife.
Trustee Robert Owen gave a vote of thanks at the close of the event.
Thank you to everyone who signed up to become a Friend of Mortimer Forest, and to all who generously donated to the charity.
Click on 'Become a Friend' in the navigation panel to find out how you can show your support. It is free to join the charity.
You can watch the video of the live streaming of the event and Q&A session via the YouTube video link (above)
Sir Jonathon Porritt, CBE:
Forget The Global If We Can’t Secure The Local
A successful day at Ludlow Green Festival (11.07.21)
Ludlow Green Festival, the countries largest event that brings environmental issues to the fore.
This year's theme for the festival was be 'Build back - Greener' which touched upon the need for people, communities, businesses, councils and governments to alter their approach to reducing carbon emissions, building resilience and instigating change to mitigate the climate emergency.
Signing up new members of all ages
Click on the 'Become a Friend' tab in the navigation panel or homepage to find out how you can join us today.
Thank you to everyone who signed up to become a Friend of the Mortimer Forest at the Ludlow Green Festival this year.
The sun was shining, the market square was full, and our stand had many interested visitors enjoying the interactive displays set up by our trustee Colin.
It was nice to see all ages and interests represented, and to have new members showing their support for the charity.
It is free to join us, there is something for everyone who takes pleasure from the Mortimer Forest and who cares about the nature within it.
Assembling the interactive displays
