Application for Membership

Name………………………………………….

Address……………………………………….

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Post code ………………………….

Telephone …………………………………..

Mobile ………………………………………..

E-mail…………………………………………

Signature……………………………………

Date ………………………………..

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Membership is £7 a year, open to all

Please return this slip with a cheque, payable to Friends of Haw Park Wood, to:

The Treasurer

Friends of HawPark Wood

56 The Balk

Walton

Wakefield

WF2 6JU

Information given to the Friends of Haw Park Wood Officers will be kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act

How Can You Help?

As a Friend of Haw Park Wood you can help achieve the Aims in a variety of ways:

  • Help promote the wood as a venue for family activities
  • Distribute leaflets and posters
  • Encourage people to join
  • Attend open meetings with interesting and informative presentations
  • Join Working Parties to assist the Countryside Service
  • Help with fund -raising
  • Volunteer to help with woodland activities
  • Keep notes of changes in the wood
  • Notify the Discovery Centre of any problems in the wood or anti-social behaviour
  • Supply ideas for activities, fund-raising, promotion etc
  • Help with biodiversity surveys
  • Give talks or lead walks
  • Contribute to the newsletter or website
  • Or simply give your support by becoming a member.

The Friends of Haw Park Wood has been established to improve, enhance and promote this local amenity as natural woodland for the benefit of local people and wildlife.

A Brief History of the Wood

This area of woodland between Walton, Ryhill and Crofton, consists of about 68 hectares, most of which is softwood plantation with a small amount (about 9 hectares) of broadleaf. It has been in existence since 1600 – or earlier – but over the years has changed significantly.

Originally it was native broadleaf and in the early part of the 19th century some of it became part of what was probably the world’s first conservation area. Charles Waterton of Walton Hall, a naturalist and explorer, built a high wall around his estate for the protection of the wildlife within. He also built six watchtowers in order to observe the birds and animals in their natural habitats.

The Wakefield - BarnsleyCanal was constructed in the latter part of the 18th century and part of it, disused, can still be seen on the south-east edge of the wood.

In the early 20th century, a small area in the centre of the wood was planted with conifers. In the 1970s the whole wood was taken over by the Forestry Commission and much of it was replanted with softwood for commercial use.

Wakefield MDC acquired the site in 1991 and has been working to improve it for the benefit of the visiting public and its resident wildlife.

Friends of HawPark Wood

Between 2003 and 2007 Wakefield Rotary Club undertook a Millennium Project to:-

  • restore one of Charles Waterton’s stone watchtowers
  • commission archaeological and biodiversity surveys,
  • establish Friends of Haw Park Wood.

On June 13th 2006 at a meeting in Walton Hall, former home of Charles Waterton, several people signed up as Friends of Haw Park Wood. A constitution was agreed and the Friends Group was established, the success of which has been reflected in the receipt of a Green Flag Award in each subsequent year.

Meetings are held at the Discovery Centre in AnglersCountryPark. For more information contact


01924 252847

or check out the web page through Wakefield District Communities Online

or drop a line to the Treasurer at the address overleaf.

Your Interests

Amphibians[ ]

Birds[ ]

Flowers[ ]

Fungi[ ]

Insects[ ]

Mammals[ ]

Reptiles[ ]

Trees[ ]