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WOODS HILLS & TRACKS (Charity No 1050270) Aims: Rural Access for the Disabled New Challenges for People with all types of Disabilities Opportunities for Movement Therapy Woods Hills & Tracks is a small charitable trust for disabled people and those with Special Needs that aims to serve the needs of the disadvantaged in the community. One of the ideas behind Woods Hills & Tracks is to give disabled people the chance to get out and explore the countryside, which is something they cannot normally do, especially if they are a wheelchair user or are visually impaired. BACKGROUND Woods Hills & Tracks is the brainchild of Janet Randell, international choreographer, teacher and writer who met and was inspired by the enthusiasm of Dr El Masri, Head of The Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries and the work of the late Dame Agnes Hunt, founder of the world-renowned Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital at Oswestry who wrote:- "Is there any physician who would not be only too pleased to allow many of his patients to be taken out to breathe God's fresh air and enjoy the sun and flowers and a few hours in the country?" Even though these words were written about a hundred years ago and hospitals have improved, there is still much to be done for disabled access in rural areas and for the physically disadvantaged as well as those with Special Needs. The Trust began with creating a prototype wheelchair access along the footpath at Woodhill, located in a remote valley in the foothills of the Berwyn Mountains on the Shropshire/Welsh border. It has been heartening to see individuals with Special Needs of all types finding their confidence and re-discovering their abilities at Woodhill. The ongoing transformation from barren field to an amenity for the disabled has been so successful that the Woodhill site is offered also as a prototype for other groups, such as RSPB at Lake Vyrnwy, wishing to start similar schemes with graded access and interesting planting. Over the past years, the Trust has been helping with the development of further wheelchair access in local areas and is at present concentrating on the following sites and activities: THE WOODHILL SITE is an informal garden specially designed with wheelchair users and disabled visitors in mind. The wheelchair access is approximately one kilometre (5/8ths mile) and winds along upgraded footpaths overlooking a young arboretum, which has all year round interest. There are many textures and scents to explore, as well as wild areas, picnic sites, ponds and a sheltered arbour. Woodhill is beautifully set in a remote and rural valley with extensive views and is perfect for bird watching and observing wildlife and nature. The site is included in The National Gardens Scheme and also The Prestigious Gardens of Powys 2002. Contact: Woods Hills & Tracks Email: Woodhillproject@lineone.net National Garden Scheme website: www.ngs.org.uk The Prestigious Gardens of Powys 2002 tel: 01497 820423 LAKE VYRNWY WITH RSPB SITES. WOODS HILLS AND TRACKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SEVERN TRENT WATER. Wheelchair access at certain points along this spectacular lake includes a water trail walk by the dam with an International Sculpture Trail; access for all to some RSPB bird hides; wheelchair access to a beautiful waterfall at the north end of the lake. OTHER ACTIVITIES Movement therapy. The Trust encourages movement and outdoor dance therapy projects and, particularly when the weather is inclement, and at the request of small groups, organises viewing of videos of dance and Janet Randell's dance animations. SPORTS FOR ALL (see Woods Hills & Tracks -www.pco.powys.org.uk/woodhill).
"SPRINGTIME IN THE GARDEN" - Gardens open for charity. Woodhill garden, Moelfre is one of the local gardens to take part in the 75th Anniversary of the National Gardens Scheme. It is one of the wilder gardens in the National Gardens scheme specially designed with access for disabled visitors along upgraded public footpaths overlooking a young arboretum. Woodhill can be visited by appointment throughout the year. REVIEW: The Advertiser December 1999 by Sue Perry "PROJECT ON TRACK TO HELP DISABLED" They say from small acorns great oaks grow and that certainly is the case as far as the Woodhill Project is concerned. In the space of a few years the project, the brainchild of dance choreographer Janet Randell, has gone from making some of the public footpaths in Moelfre, near Llansilin, accessible for wheelchairs, to pioneering other projects for the disabled. At Woodhill disabled people have the opportunity to enjoy the countryside at close hand. To those of us who are able bodied a walk in the countryside is something we take for granted but most country lanes and public footpaths are impassable in a wheelchair. SERENITY For the brief time I was at Woodhill I was left breathless at the stunning scenery and serenity of the landscape which was also being enjoyed by a few visitors from the Dolywern Cheshire Home who often visit Woodhill. Woodhill has two-thirds of a mile of wheelchair access on the upgraded footpaths. The trees and shrubs have been specially selected and planted for their textures and scent as well as their visual beauty and are developing into a young arboretum. There are picnic areas along the public footpaths overlooking ponds, which people with disabilities of any sort can enjoy. A sheltered arbour contains a variety of unusual scented flora surrounded by a rose garden. Janet said "It is so restful here and you can sit or wander round for as long as you like. Anyone disabled or able bodied is welcome as long as they telephone prior to visiting. There is also an electric wheelchair and a push wheelchair which have been donated for people to use." The project is now expanding its scope by advising other areas of interest on disabled issues. In partnership with Severn Trent, the Woodhill Project has helped develop wheelchair access at certain points around Lake Vyrnwy. It has also given landscape plans and other practical advice for facilities for the disabled people at the lake. Janet is also consultant for disabled access at Lake Vyrnwy and is looking forward to liaising with Mike Walker from the RSPB at the lake and other sites in North Wales. Another initiative of the project took place last weekend - the annual 'Chariots of Fire', a Sports for All event at Park Hall Showground with both able bodied and disabled getting together to enjoy sport. OPPORTUNITY A road race together with sporting field events including wheelchair races and events for those with special needs were held. The aim of the event is to provide an opportunity within the local community for able-bodied people to find out a little more about the needs of disabled participants. 2002: Outdoor therapeutic and multi-media dance project with the Derwen College and Workshop for the Disabled is planned. Contact National Gardens Scheme www.ngs.org.uk Email: Woodhillproject@lineone.net |