VOLUNTEERS worked alongside Bradford Council to help mend a footpath in Ilkley's Middleton Woods.

Local social enterprise Get Out More co-ordinated the conservation day in the much-loved woodland – supporting Bradford Council – on Friday.

The enthusiastic team of volunteers comprised both staff from Get Out More CIC and Ilkley's Nell Bank outdoor education centre, together with parents of children who attend forest schools at All Saints Pre-School Playgroup and with Get Out More.

Work involved building steps down a slippery, eroded section of footpath, to improve access from Curly Hill, and everyone gained something from the experience.

Colin Whitfield, Bradford Council’s assistant tree and woodland manager, led the repairs and said Bradford Council was delighted to work with Get Out More, Nell Bank and other volunteers.

Participant Dave Woolloff said the experience was “great fun and we’ve achieved something as well!”, while Ally Foster, outdoor learning tutor at Nell Bank, added: “It’s a great resource on our doorstep and, hopefully, this work means more people can enjoy it all year round.”

Get Out More CIC managing director, Annie Berrington, said: “We love coming to Middleton Woods with our forest schools, so it's great to put something back, as well as meet Nell Bank staff and other users of the woodland.

"The children coming to our forest schools at half term will notice the difference.”

The conservation work forms an essential part of Get Out More’s commitment to invest its profits into communities in which the social enterprise works.

A second conservation day is likely to take place in early June. Contact Annie Berrington on 07974 935105 or via annie@getoutmorecic.co.uk for further information.

Visit getoutmorecic.co.uk/events/ for more details about how to book your child onto a half-term or summer holiday forest school session, or visit http://www.nellbank.com/ for information about visits to Nell Bank.

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