The Friends of St Ives Estate shall be a voluntary body formed in 2003 from interested members of the general public and other interested parties.
It is a non political group and is affiliated to the Trust for Conservation Volunteers.
The Aims and Objectives of the Group:
To develop projects and events, in partnership with or with the knowledge of the landowners and to apply for grants and other
funding in order to carry these out.
To liaise with other users of the Estate and to help represent their interests.
To work to conserve and enhance the ecological, historic and landscape values of the estate and its environs.
To notify the landowners when any hazards or problems become apparent and to assist in their resolution.
To liaise with the landowners in the care and maintenance of the Estate.
To preserve, interpret and publicise the cultural, historical and ecological value of the Estate.
To encourage all organisations with an interest in the Estate to be represented as part of the Group.
To operate any facilities and services on the Estate for which the Group has responsibility.
To communicate and liaise with the landowners, tenants and other interested parties in all matters concerning the Estate.
To apply and carry out any activities necessary to achieve the above objectives
Today (27th Feb 2025 ) The Fosi Practical Task Team joined forces with the Volunteers from the Aire Rivers Trust
We would like to thank the full team for joining us and giving us the tools, expertise, know how and practical help to build our first
DEAD HEDGE, We couldnt have done it without you guys, Happy Days
As the saying goes……..Follow us on Facebook
This photo shows our official Facebook page, beware imitations.
We also use our acronym FoSI so look out for that also.
Updates are made on a regular basis so keep checking.
You can also become a member of FoSI, information on our ‘Join us’ page.
We send e mails with news and updates to all members
The friends of St Ives Practical Task Team (PTT)
Meet fortnightly and carry out tasks and projects around the estate.
Last winter we helped to plant over a hundred trees, alongside Bradford Council. Mainly Hazel & Oaks along the pathway and the hillside going up towards Lady Blantyre’s Rock.
We regularly fettle the bird hide, clearing the gutter and sprucing up the walls with a lick of paint, keeping the vegetation around the feeders down so twitchers can see the birds!
We helped clearing Himalayan Balsam.
The ongoing projects have been the border garden in the picnic area (opposite the Cafe) and the Stumpery in the same area to the left of the garden.
February 2024 with Bradford Council over 100 Oak trees planted on the hillside going towards Lady Blantyre’s Rock.
We have a couple of ongoing Projects ;
The Garden and the Stumpery.
The Friends of St.Ives Estate Practical task team started work on this border garden in 2023.
We have tried to use plants which would have been seen in Victorian borders,since this walled area is part of ‘The long walk’ from St Ives mansion.
Funds for the purchase of plants were provided from filming on the Estate,of scenes featured in the BBC mini-series Boat Story. We thank the production company for the funds and Woodbank Garden Centre in Harden who sourced the plants for us.
We are developing the area immediately to the left as a stumpery and fernery.
This style of woodland garden was often seen on estates in the Victorian era.
The photos below are our Inspiration,
Hopefully ours will look similar in a few years!
Some of the tasks we completed in 2024
Clearing the steps to Bluebell Wood from the bottom car park
Clearing weeds and rubbish at the side of buildings
Removing plastic tubes from young trees
Removing the invasive Himalayan Balsam before the seeds ‘pop’ and spread ,
we call it ‘Balsam Bashing’ just to make it sound more fun!
Clearing weeds around the Purple Beech down near the playground.
Planting Crocus bulbs
Clearing weeds, Brambles and rubbish from around Baxters Pond.
