EIGHT 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.

The group learned 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 involved the young people also learning how to identify willow and hazel trees and how to use materials in their natural environment. 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 look forward to attending more events from this year’s events and learning programme.

A second event ‘Land, Tracks and Trails’ on August 17 was a family event to give people the opportunity to discover the different habitats of the moor and the animals, insects and plants which live there. Animal tracking and pond dipping were part of this event.

The third event ‘Heathland Conservation’ was held to give people an opportunity to help control bracken on the lower slopes of the moor. Bracken is a very successful plant that covers large areas of the moor. Controlling bracken helps to keep access routes clear and open; and provides a beautiful display of the heathland flora. Eight volunteers worked hard all morning to clear bracken from a well-used area on the moor.

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.