West Stormont
Woodland Group

Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) SC051682

Join us today to bring Taymount Wood and Five Mile Wood into community ownership

Current Events

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Sunday 20th July and Sunday 3rd August, 2025

Discover New Community Walks with Mike Thewlis

Starting at 10.30am – see below for Meeting Points

WSWG is striding out beyond the woods for these events. WSWG member Mike Thewlis has been investigating our local access network and has come up with a circular walking route called the Three Woods Nature Walk taking in Taymount, Five Mile and Stanley Rookery Woods along the way. Would you like some fresh air and exercise? You are invited to join Mike in walking two different parts of the route to see what is there for us to enjoy in terms of wildlife, landscape, history and heritage and find out where access improvements are needed. A chance to meet up with friends too, old and new!

Walk One – Sunday 20th July

Walk Two – Sunday 3rd August

Sturdy walking boots or shoes recommended and otherwise dress for the weather on the day.
There are no steep hills or anything too difficult on these walks, but the path surfaces and vegetation do vary in different places. Part of the purpose of the walks will be to see where improvements to the paths would be good. As we go, we will also note features of interest, record interesting wildlife sightings and so on.
Things to bring: drinking water; picnic lunch; sit mat & binoculars may be good; sun block if necessary. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Well-behaved dogs welcome.

Saturday 9th August 2025

Art and Ecology Workshop with Jan Hendry - Magic Moths

2-4pm at Stanley Village Hall

This free event is part of the Stanley Biodiversity Village Project and Jan’s “Fragile” Art and Ecology Project and we’d love to see you there. No experience needed, just love of nature, arty activities and a curiosity about the wildlife in the place we all call home.

Weather-permitting, Jan will have been out the night before and light-trapped some moths in a flowery garden in Stanley. We will be able to look at them close-up in the collection pots, see their beautiful and diverse markings, learn about moth life cycles and then identify them with Jan’s help before she releases them back that evening to where they were caught. Mothy art galore to enjoy too – learn how to make a moth-themed paper flexigon and marvel at Jan’s handmade giant Emperor Moth rag rug.

Suitable for anyone age 8 and older – children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

There are 10 places available, so book yours now here.  

Proposed activities include:

All living moths attending the workshop will be photographed, recorded and returned home within 24hrs and all materials supplied, no art or moths experience needed!

Monday 11th August 2025

Even More Bushcraft with Biscuit in Taymount Wood

A fun, FREE event for children AND ADULTS THIS TIME with Wee Adventures

Come and learn some exciting bushcraft skills and enjoy other forest fun activities including shelter building, slack lines and other vital skills for survival in our woods! In the morning, we’ll inspire children’s imaginations with an outdoor obstacle course theme, engage the senses and create a sense of wonder in the natural world. In the afternoon, the adults can release their inner child. By working on a “Leave No Trace” basis, Biscuit nurtures the idea of caring for the environment by “thinking green” in all our activities.

Book your places here

This is for 3 to 8 year olds with under 5's being accompanied by an adult

Morning Session: 9.30am - 12noon

12 places available

Please be at Taymount Wood car park 15 minutes before the session to allow for parking and walking up the main forest track to the event site.
What3Words car park location: tributes.batches.laminate

For 'grown ups' who want to be out in the woods

Afternoon session: 1.30pm - 4pm

8 places available

Please be at Taymount Wood car park 15 minutes before the session to allow for parking and walking up the main forest track to the event site.

What3Words car park location: tributes.batches.laminate

Tips from Wee Adventures:

Even though it’s August, depending on the weather, be prepared (children and adults) to get muddy and
wet and dress accordingly! Hooded waterproof jacket and trousers, gloves, warm hats or sun hats, trainers, walking boots or wellies are essential.

Bring a rucksack/bag for spare layers, water, sunscreen, personal medication etc.

Tips from WSWG:

Juice and water will be available for all but please bring your own snacks and warm drinks if wished.

Please email WSWG or Sarah if you have any other questions about the event.

Check out these previous Wee Adventures Events. The children love them!

Informal Wildlife Recording, any time that suits, using iRecord

An easy way for you to record the wildlife and plants you see whilst walking, running, cycling or chilling in the woods.

Please see the website for further information and advice on how to enter a casual record or records. By doing this you will help us gain a better understanding of the wildlife and plants to be found in the woods.