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
Projects & funding
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.
A voice for users
To liaise with other users of the Estate and to help represent their interests.
Conserve & enhance
To work to conserve and enhance the ecological, historic and landscape values of the estate and its environs.
Safe & well-kept
To notify the landowners when any hazards or problems become apparent and to assist in their resolution.
Alongside the landowners
To liaise with the landowners in the care and maintenance of the Estate.
Sharing our heritage
To preserve, interpret and publicise the cultural, historical and ecological value of the Estate.
An open group
To encourage all organisations with an interest in the Estate to be represented as part of the Group.
Facilities & services
To operate any facilities and services on the Estate for which the Group has responsibility.
Communication
To communicate and liaise with the landowners, tenants and other interested parties in all matters concerning the Estate.
Seeing it through
To apply and carry out any activities necessary to achieve the above objectives.
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.
Baxters Pond 20 Years on
The PTT spent a session in November 2024 at the pond clearing overgrown foliage and clearing the various streams and springs that feed the pond.
The plaque tells us: “In recognition of JOHN BAXTERS work re-establishing this pond and to celebrate his 40th Year of service to the St Ives Estate & Bradford Council.”
These photo’s was taken a few days after we had done the clearing, after it had rained heavily overnight.
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.
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.
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.
Our Christmas opening in the Visitor Centre
We had a lovely morning on the 20th December 2024.
We opened the Visitor centre giving out Mince Pies, Mulled wine and info to friends old and new.
It was enjoyed by everyone.
The Children made Christmas decorations and Origami cups.
We filled the cups with peas and oats and they went to feed the ducks.
Looks like they had a really good time.
We hope to have more open days in 2025, keep your eye on these pages and our Facebook page.