Woodland Games

The Great Western Community Forest has received funding from Natural England and the Forestry Commission to develop this exciting three-year ‘3 Generation Woodland Games’ project. The project aims to improve the health and well-being of residents within the Community Forest through targeted programmes of forest sports and games. '3 G Woodland Games' is part of the national Green Exercise programme supported by Natural England. The project will be a new and innovative initiative, expanding on the work of the ‘Active Swindon’ project. A ' 3G Woodland Games' co-ordinator joined the Community Forest team in March 2008.

Project Activities

The ‘3 G Woodland Games’ co-ordinator will be developing an annual programme of community outreach work culminating in a high profile and inspirational ‘Woodland Games’ event held each year in a local woodland. During the year leading up to the big event, the co-ordinator will build up a programme of outreach work including, regular coaching workshops and taster sessions to recruit and coach local people. Wooden games resources for use at the events and for ongoing use by local groups will be created at ‘Have a Go’ woodcraft workshops.

Annual Woodland Games

The annual ‘3 G Woodland Games’ will include competitions, organised activities and taster sessions based on ‘non-traditional’ sports and physical activities. The full list of activities will develop as the project progresses but could, for example include: cani-cross (running with dogs), stealth walking, disc golf, quoits, rounders, ‘survival’ games, walking relays. Other more traditional activities such as hash running, orienteering, yoga, and Tai Chi will be available too. This year, the first Woodland Games event will co-incide with our very popular Forest Festival and will take place on 30th August 2008, at the Lawn in Swindon.

Project Partnership

This project is another key partnership project with the GWCF team taking the lead. Key partners are Natural England, Active Swindon, Forestry Commission England, Wiltshire and Swindon Sports Partnership, Wiltshire Alternative Youth Sports programme, and Swindon Borough Council Lifestyle.

Further information

For further information contact Simon Pitman on Tel: 01793 466324 or by email: spitman@swindon.gov.uk.