T-W-T Charnwood Outwoods

Charnwood Outwoods

Woodlands photography

Royal Photographic Society

Cover photo by Margaret Ridgewell

I cannot imagine a better way to celebrate the lives of trees, some ancient and others that help make up the rich tapestry of British woodlands. They often grow in anonymous locations, seemingly unaware of their surroundings. I quite often pause during my woodland walks and reflect on the passage of time and events since they began life as small saplings. In these cathartic moments I begin to develop a deeper relationship and understanding of the natural world.

Paul Mitchell, Photographer

Talk-Walk-Talks are events, organised by the Royal Photographic Society, that promote photography in the urban and rural landscapes. In Autumn 2024 52 TWTs took place across the UK and internationally.

Following a motivating talk by landscape photographer Paul Mitchell groups came together to take photographs. These were reviewed at a later get-together.

One TWT was held at the Outwoods in Charnwood, near Loughborough.

Charnwood Outwoods

The Outwoods is 110 acres of ancient woodland to the south of Loughborough and is one of the oldest surviving woodland sites in Charnwood.

The Outwoods consists of a variety of different routes and walks, including an easy access path with a bird feeding station. There is a 24 hour car park for visitors, a children's natural play area and a cafe. The north side of the ancient woodland is home to an display of beautiful bluebells during Spring every year.

The Outwoods is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by Natural England, which means it is protected by law to conserve its wildlife and geology. It is also part of the ancient Charnwood Forest and is the most easterly part of the National Forest.

Our

photographers

Clive Dunkey

Howard Fisher

Jackie Fisher

Pete Thomas

Here are some of their photographs.

Jean Burbridge

Margaret Ridgewell

Clive Dunkey

Woods, leave me

speechless

Words to describe them

Lost to the void

Howard Fisher

Outwoods was the fifth

T-W-T walk that Jackie and I have done this Autumn. All have been most enjoyable and very well organised so it was a pleasure to spend time in the woodlands together with kindred spirit photographers.

Outwoods was unknown to us even though we live only 25 minutes away. This occasion will not be the last on which we visit.

Jackie Fisher

All the walks this Autumn have been most enjoyable even though we mostly did not have the best weather for photography. Nevertheless we made the very best of it. Outwoods was the last we did and much easier because it is local to our home thereby sparing a long drive.