Latest News

Himalayan Balsam Update

29.09.23

Himalayan Balsam is an invasive plant species and a nuisance as it colonises river banks, damp woodlands and increasingly meadows. It successfully competes with native plant species for space, light, nutrients and pollinators, and excludes other plant growth, thereby reducing native biodiversity. Until recently, the main way to tackle the...

Hell Wath Track Re-surfaced

29.09.23

The track leading from Hell Wath cottage has been re-surfaced with 60 tonnes of crushed limestone. This significant investment was funded and managed by the Skell Valley Project. The hard work of moving and laying the stone was completed by volunteers and FOHW thanks every one of them for doing...

Brilliant Forest Schools Fun Day

03.09.23

The sun shone on another brilliantly run Forest Schools Family Fun Day held on Hell Wath yesterday (2nd September). This event was run by Forest Schools Outdoor Activities and funded by the Skell Valley Project. Over 120 children had a great time whittling sticks, toasting marshmallows, making wooden models, beating...

Grass Cutting on Hell Wath

11.08.23

Hell Wath meadows used to be cut annually by local farmers, with the grass being baled and taken for hay, but this is no longer feasible. Without cutting, the species of grasses and wildflowers will reduce significantly, and the meadows will become unattractive to our native insects and butterflies. The...

Why Bash Himalayan Balsam?

11.08.23

If you have walked on Hell Wath recently you will have noticed the proliferation of Himalayan Balsam. Great swathes of Balsam are clearly visible along the margins of the meadows and footpaths and there are many individual plants springing up across the meadows. Although they have a pretty pink flower...

New Trees for Hell Wath

24.07.23

New trees will be planted this year thanks to funding from North Yorkshire Council. These will help replace trees being lost to age, climate stress and ash die back across the site. Native tree species will be chosen and we expect these to be available for planting in November at...

Bat Monitoring on Hell Wath

14.07.23

Bats represent almost a quarter of all native mammals in the UK, but their nocturnal nature means that we aren’t always aware of their presence in our environment. FOHW are now working with the local bat group to monitor bat species and populations across Hell Wath. Bat monitoring takes place...

M A G Meeting 10th June 2023

24.06.23

Thanks to everyone who attended the Members Activity Group meeting on 10th June 2023. Members feedback and input is essential to the working of the Friends of Hell Wath. Notes from this meeting can be read here. If you have any comments or queries please email Jem at info@fohw.co.uk

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