Thanks so much to everyone who braved the weather and enjoyed a fab elf and fairy themed day at Mab Lane Community Woodland. There are loads of pics and great reaction from parents on the event’s Facebook page.

As a taste of what people thought of the event, one mum said: “Absolutely amazing day today. I thoroughly enjoyed it even if the sun wasn’t out. A perfect day – hope its back next year. My family loved every minute of it – thank you.”

A big well done to Tony Beyga, who has made a huge contribution at Mab Lane Community Woodland over the years, and has been deservedly shortlisted in the Liverpool Echo Environment Awards 2013.

Tony’s photography (including the photo above) has documented the early years of the woodland for posterity and has helped to spread the word about Mab Lane. He has also been a hugely valuable eyes and ears on the ground, and a great advocate for the woodland. Even with funding and technical expertise in place, projects like this to create a community woodland in the heart of an urban neighbourhood cannot be a true success without local champions like Tony.

You’re invited to Mab’s Magical Fair, a free outdoor festival for boys, girls and their families. Come along dressed up, or join the secret Forest School in the
woods to create your own crown, wand and wings from natural materials.

Enjoy enchanted storytelling, marshmallows and crafts around the fire, spectacular face painting and lots more. This free event takes place on Saturday 18th May 2013 at Mab Lane Community Woodland in West Derby, Liverpool.

It is organised by The Mersey Forest in partnership with Liverpool City Council and Riverside Berrybridge as part of Access to Nature, a national scheme run by Natural England and funded by the Big Lottery Fund. Get it in the diary now so as not to miss out!

More info coming soon here at mablane.com…

Thanks to funding from the city’s Decade of Health and Wellbeing, The Mersey Forest took a film crew to interview local residents about how Mab Lane Community Woodland in their neighbourhood has improved their health.

Within a single morning we heard some fantastic stories…

Mab Lane has made it into the high profile online newspaper the Huffington Post, in this great article by Julian Dobson about the positive impact that the woodland has had in the local area.