Events - May 2010 

WALK:  Dawn Chorus Walk & Yateley Morris Men

Yateley Morris Men will be holding their traditional May Day Morris Dance at Wyndhams' Pond car park at sunrise (5.30am-6am). Afterwards, join Hampshire County Council Ranger Natalie Tanzer for a dawn chorus walk (6am-7am) around Yateley Common to listen to the repertoire of the resident and migrant birds as they sing in the morning. This is a truly memorable event, so set your alarm clocks early! FREE, but pre-booking is essential please call 01252 870425 to book your place. Meeting at Wyndham’s Pond Cricket Hill Lane, Yateley. Grid ref: SU 822 596.
 

WALK: Dawn Chorus

Join Canal Ranger Peter Bickford for an early morning stroll down the Basingstoke Canal. This is the perfect opportunity to listen and learn about birdsong. Peter will be focusing on migrant and resident birds for this walk. Booking essential, £3 per person costs. Meet at Howfield Cottage, Brookwood. For more details and to book ring The Canal Centre on 01252 370073. www.basingstokecanal.co.uk
 

WALK: A Date With Nature

Join the Wokingham and Bracknell branch of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on a monthly walk around Dinton Pastures Country Park. Children under 18 must be accompanied. Time: 9am – 12.30pm. Meet in the main car park at Dinton Pastures Country Park. Cost: £1, children free (proceeds to RSPB).
 

FAMILY EVENT: Surrey Heath Show

A fun day out for all the family with lots of activities and events for all the family, held at Frimley Lodge Park, Sturt Road, Frimley Green, Surrey GU16 6NS. There'll be plenty of bouncing for children, demonstrations and exhibitions, live music, competitions, arts and crafts, Millers Ark with animals to cuddle and a companion dog show. Frimley Lodge Park has lots of open space, and the Basingstoke Canal runs alongside it. The miniature railway will be running or perhaps you prefer a canal boat ride. There will also be a diverse range of food available on the day. From 10am-4pm. For more details contact enquiries@surreyheathshow.org
 

BIRD WALK: International Dawn Chorus Day

Come and listen to the world’s oldest wake-up call with Zebon Copse Ranger Natalie Tanzer. The dawn chorus typically begins with an introduction by the blackbird, robin, wren or skylark, and these are soon joined by other species including the summer visitors chiff-chaffs and nightingales. The best time to hear it is in the hour around sunrise, so set your alarm clocks and join us for this wonderful sonic experience! Subject to weather and interest. FREE  but please call 01252 870425 to book your place. 5.30am - 6.30am. Meeting at Velmead Community Centre, Zebon Copse Estate, Church Crookham. Grid ref: SU 800 518.
 

BIRD WALK: Dawn Chorus at Lily Hill Park

As part of International Dawn Chorus Day, enjoy a spring sunrise serenaded by songbirds organised by Winkfield Parish Church. This will be followed by an optional cooked breakfast at Carnation Hall Winkfield. Suitable for all ages. Bring binoculars if possible. Cost: £3.50 for breakfast. Meet at the North car park, off Lily Hill Road, Bracknell RG12 2RX. Pre-booking is essential. Ring The Look Out Discovery Centre on 01344 354400 / 354441 or call in at Reception (open 10am-5pm).
 

BIRD WALK: Dawn Chorus at Dinton Pastures

Join the Wokingham & Bracknell RSPB for a stroll during the most energetic and bustling time of the day for birds, but you’ll need to be there for a 5am start! Wear sturdy shoes and warm /waterproof clothing and bring binoculars. Adults £1, accompanied children free (money to RSPB). Meet in the main car park Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst Berks RG10 0TH. Why not pre-book a full English breakfast for after the walk at the café by ringing 0118 934 2016. Served at 7.30am.
 

WALK: Farnham Town

Join a local guide on this walk to discover more about the history of this Georgian town. Meet at Wagon Yard car park at the bottom of Downing Street.  11am – 1pm. Covers 2-3 miles. Adults £3, children free. Money goes to local charities. This is a regular walk held on the first Sunday of each month. For more details ring 01252 718119.
 

EVENT: Countryside & Woodland Weekend

Wildlife and countryside groups gather at the Rural Life Centre with ‘hands on’ activities for all. Plus woodland crafts from felling to turning. Farnham Beekeepers will be holding an open day at the Rural Life Centre Apiary on Sunday. Entry charges: Adults £8; over 60s/concessions £7; children (5-16) £6; Family (2 adults + 2 children) £25. Open Wednesday to Sunday plus Bank Holiday Mondays from 10am to 5pm. Old Kiln Museum, Reeds Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey GU10 2DL. Tel: 01252 795571 or visit their website
 

FOR THE FAMILY: Down Your Wey Day

An annual environmental family fun day from 11am-4.30pm at the NT’s Dapdune Wharf in Guildford, has a bit of a twist this year with input from a variety of lambs, piglets and ducklings. Gil, the lengthsman at Walsham. has been branching out into livestock and will bring along his babies for you to get close to. Normal admission plus £2 for children’s activities. Dapdune Wharf, River Wey Navigations, Wharf Road, Guildford GU1 4RR. Tel: 01483 561389. Email: riverwey@nationaltrust.org.uk
 

Saturday 8th
& Sunday 9th
 

WALK: Walk the Path Weekend                  

If you’re looking for a walk with a difference this is the one. Starting at Rowhill Nature Reserve in Aldershot, and the source of the River Blackwater, the 23-mile route follows the Blackwater Valley Path to Swallowfield, enabling participants to see how much the valley’s landscape changes and to appreciate the green spaces and wildlife found within the area. Organised by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership and now in its fourth year there are walk leaders, refreshments and check points en route and on both days transport is provided to the starting point. Costs £6 for one day, £10 for both days. Pre-booking essential.   More details >>>                                                            

WALK: Dawn Chorus at Hartley Wintney Commons

Join local ornithologist John Collman on this walk around Hartley Wintney Commons with its beautiful countryside and open spaces, Hartley Wintney is the perfect place to hear a variety of early morning bird song. Meet at 5am. Booking is essential, please contact Hart Ranger Leigh Neville on 01252 623443 to book your place.  Duration: 2 hours. All abilities welcome. For more details contact the Countryside Rangers on 01252 623443, via email or visit the website
 

BIRD WALK: Friends of Lavell’s Lake 

Family bird walk organised by the Friends of Lavell’s Lake from 9am to 12 noon. Members free, others £1 donation. Meet at Sandfords Lane car park opp. Black Swan Sailing Club, Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst Berks RG10 0TH.
 

WALK: Cream Tea Totter

Join Richard, the NT’s lengthsman for Stoke length on the River Wey Navigation for a 3-mile stroll from Dapdune Wharf in Guildford to Bowers lock with a commentary, then meet Dapdune Belle for cream teas on the lockside at Bowers and boat back to Dapdune. £12.50. Pre-booking essential. Dapdune Wharf, River Wey Navigations, Wharf Road, Guildford GU1 4RR. Tel: 01483 561389. Email: riverwey@nationaltrust.org.uk
 

HEALTH WALK: Round Moor and Rail

Get active and keep fit on this regular monthly walk, covering 3 miles at a steady 3mph with a Bracknell Forest Ranger.  Meet at Wildmoor Heath car park off Crowthorne Road, Crowthorne RG45 7PP for a 10am start. For more information visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/walking or ring 01344 354400/354441
 

WALK: Walk in the Woods

Join Hart Ranger Steve Lyons on an informative walk round Odiham Common, a mixture of woodland and wood pasture. Conditions might be wet and muddy so good footwear is needed. Dogs welcome on leads. Meet at 6.30pm at Colt Hill Wharf on Old London Road. Duration: 2 hours. All abilities welcome. For more details contact the Countryside Rangers on 01252 623443, via email or visit the website
 

TALK: Alien Species

An illustrated talk by Colin Ryall. Talk starts at 7.30pm at The Field Centre, Rowhill Nature Reserve, Cranmore Lane, Aldershot. Members free, non-members welcome for a donation (minimum £1). For more information call 01252 319749.

EVENT: Basingstoke Canal Canoe Club Marathon

Up to 150 competitive canoeists racing between Ash Wharf and Kings Head Bridge at Mytchett... take part or simply come and watch the action. For more details ring The Canal Centre on 01252 370073 or visit the Basingstoke Canal Canoe Club website
 

WALK: The Countryside in Summer - Along the Blackwater and Over the Ridges

One of a series of regular mid-week walks, today is a  ‘rambler’ walk, which will cover up to 7 miles and take about 2½ hours. Meet for a 10.30am start at Horseshoe Lake car par, Mill Lane, Sandhurst. Grid ref: SU 820 620. For more information please call the Bracknell Forest Rights of Way Ranger on 07776 160812.
 

EVENT & WALK: A History of Fleet Pond; Past, Present & Future

As part of International Biodiversity Day , join Colin Gray, chairman of Fleet Pond Society and Ranger Joanna Lawrence on a walk to explore Fleet Pond’s 1,000 years of history, including its use as an ancient fishery and training ground for soldiers, its present condition and status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and what the future holds for Hampshire’s largest freshwater lake. Meet at 2pm at Fleet Pond car park. Duration: 1½ hours. All abilities welcome. For more details contact the Countryside Rangers on 01252 623443, or via email or visit the website
 

WALK: Eat a Tree!

Discover the sights, sounds, tales and tastes of trees within the beautiful woodland at Ambarrow Court on a Ranger guided tour. Suitable for all. Duration: 2 hours Meet at 2pm at Ambarrow Court car park, off A321 Wokingham Road, Sandhurst GU47 8JB. Pre-booking is essential. Ring The Look Out Discovery Centre on 01344 354400 / 354441 or call in at Reception (open 10am-5pm).
 

TALK: Star Gazing

Are you fascinated by the night sky? The Reading Astronomical Society holds a regular series of basic astronomy talks. Advice on using telescopes always available. Cost: Free. Time: 7pm. Meet: Loddon Room, Dinton Pastures Country Park. For more information contact Gerry Bond (0118) 986 4032 or email
 

WALK: Transported Through Ash

Come along on this interesting walk of about 4½ hours, linking the history of transport in the Blackwater Valley. From the old railway path to the canal towpath as well as the Blackwater Valley Path, which was created in association with the building the the A331. This scenic route is mostly off-road although some stretches will be along country roads. Dogs on leads welcome. Duration: 2 hours. Meet for a 10am start at Coronmation Gardens car park, Ash Hill Road, Ash. Grid ref: SU 896 514. Organised by the BV Walkers’ Link for more infromation ring 01252 331353.
 

FOR THE FAMILY: Water Beasts of Watchmoor

Join Surrey Heath Ranger Peter Maynard for an afternoon of family pond-dipping at Watchmoor Reserve near Camberley. Discover some of the mysterious beasts that lurk in the muddy depths.If you're lucky you may catch a leech or even a water scorpion. Dipping nets are provided but limited so it’s first-come first-served! Meet at 2pm in the car park behind Sainsburys petrol station, Watchmoor Park, Blackwater Valley Road, Camberley GU15 3YN. Visit the Surrey Heath website
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• Event organised by Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership