Events - October 2010 

WORKSHOP: Wild Harvest

Join Peter Sibley (ecologist) and Clifford Davy (mycologist) for a full-day course in recognising, preparing , preserving and cooking edible wild plants and mushrooms. This will be held in the Loddon Room at Dinton Pastures Country Park.  Costs £65 per person (a discount will be given for group bookings). For more details contact Peter Sibley on 0208 985 2914 or email. Also on Sunday 3rd and Saturday 23rd.
 

WALK: Farnham Town Walk  11am - 1pm

Join a local guide and take a walk of around 2-3 miles to discover more about the history of this Georgian town. Costs £3 for adults, children free. All the money goes to local charities. Meet at the Wagon Yard car park at the bottom of Downing Street, Farnham. For more details ring 01252 718119 or visit the website. This walk is held on the first Sunday of each month.
 

WORKSHOP: Wild Harvest

Join Peter Sibley (ecologist) and Clifford Davy (mycologist) for a full-day course in recognising, preparing , preserving and cooking edible wild plants and mushrooms. This will be held in the Loddon Room at Dinton Pastures Country Park.  Costs £65 per person (a discount will be given for group bookings). For more details contact Peter Sibley on 0208 985 2914 or email. Also on Saturday 23rd.
 

FAMILY EVENT Green and Global Fun Day   11am-4pm

Free fun day at the Princes Hall in Aldershot with lots of activities for all the family including crafts, green advice, birds of prey, storytelling by Michael O’Leary, and live entertainment. African band drumming by Keya Bobo will perform and there’s and a drumming workshop with 50 drums to give visitors an opportunity to have a go, The special theme this year is the United Nations 2010 Year of Biodiversity and many of the groups will have exhibits and activities linked to them. There’ll also be a talk on bees and falconry and a large demonstration tropical garden created by horticulturist Philip Jeffs. For further information visit the website.
 

WALK: In the Footsteps of Highwaymen   10am-1pm

A walk that links two of the most important habitats in the Backwater Valley heathland and wildflower meadows. Starting from Yateley Common the walk joins the Blackwater Valley Path passing through Shepherd Meadows part of the Blackwater Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) before heading back to Yateley Common. The walk covers around 5 miles along relatively flat ground, with areas of uneven ground and steps. Meet at Yateley Common gravel pit car park, off the A30 near Blackwater. Grid ref: SU 838594. For further information contact Blackwater Valley Walker’s Link. Tel: 01252 331353.
 

WALK: Fungi Identification for Beginners 10am-12 noon

Join Ranger Tim on a walk to find out more about the local mushrooms and toadstools on Elvetham Heath Local Nature Reserve. Please note this walk is aimed at beginners and you will not be picking or removing any fungi from the site. All abilities welcome. Wear appropriate footwear and clothing. Meet at the village pond, Elvetham Heath, just past Morrison’s supermarket. For further information contact Hart Countryside Rangers. Tel: 01252 623443, email or visit their website
 

WORKSHOP: Basket Making   10am-4pm

Learn how use traditional English basket-making techniques to make baskets that are robust, functional, unique and very beautiful. Suitable for beginners and advanced students may choose their own project. Costs £60 (includes all materials and refreshments). Course run by Christine Brewster in the Loddon Room, Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst, Berks RG10 0TH. For more information or to book a place contact Christine on 0118 966 2250 or visit the website Also on Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th November. Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th January 2011. Saturday 9th a& Sunday 10th April 2011.
 

WALK: Friends of Lavell’s Lake Bird Walk   9am-12 noon

Lavell’s Lake is rich in bird life, which is attracted to the reed beds, shallow scrapes and quiet surroundings. Two hides are available for viewing. On the second Sunday of every month join the Friends of Lavell’s Lake for a walk around the Park. Members free, donation of £1 for non-members. Meet at Sandfords Lane car park opp Black Swan Sailing Club, Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst, Berks RG10 0TH.
 

FAMILY EVENT: Southwood 10 10 10 - Discover the secret woodland on your doorstep   11am–3.30 pm

Come along and enjoy a fun, day of activities and walks that will appeal to families and potential walkers of all ages. Activities will include:Tai Chi and Aerobic demonstrations; Green Man sculptures; Face painting walks/trails; various stands promoting ‘Step Into Nature’ partner activities; Drumming circle; Weather walk; Promotion of RHL activities.
Southwood Woodland is owned by Rushmoor Borough Council who are  improving the area to make it more accessible for people to use. A series of footpaths have been developed, but this is only the first element of a major improvement scheme to balance the requirements of wildlife and amenity to provide a valuable natural resource for the community. Access is via the southern end of Kennel’s Lane off Iveley Road,Farnborough, just north of the Cody Technology Park.No parking at the site, park at nearby Qinetiq Ltd. Ively Rd, Farnborough GU140LZ. For details visit the Rushmoor Healthy Living website
 

WALK: The Weird & Wonderful Fungi Foray 11am-12.30pm

Join the Surrey Heath Rangers at Lightwater Country Park in a search of weird and wonderful fungi that pop up, as if by magic, at this time of year. Meet outside the Park’s visitor centre, Lightwater Country Park, Lightwater, Surrey GU18 5RG. Organised by Surrey Heath Rangers. For more details please ring 01276 479582  or visit the website
 

WORKSHOP: Surrey’s Heathland Invertebrates   10am-1pm

This is the fifth session of an eight-week course on Surrey’s Heathlands run by Surrey Wildlife Trust aimed at adults. This week at Lightwater Country Park and will be looking at invertebrates. Advanced booking essential on 01483 79547,. Costs £15 for this one session. More details on their website
 

WALK: A North Bracknell Circuit  10.30am -4pm

Part of a regular series of monthly mid-week walks. This is an all day walk covering between 10-14 miles but will return by 4pm at the latest. Bring food and drink.  Meet for a 10.30am at The Look Out Discovery Centre car park, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell. For further information contact Bracknell Forests Rights of Way Ranger Tel: 07776 160812.
 

HEALTH WALK: Into the Warfield Countryside  10am

Get ‘active for life’ and keep fit by taking a steady 3-mile walk at 3 mph every second Wednesday of the month. Each walk is led by a Ranger so just turn up at 10am. Meet at Larks Hill car park, off Harvest Ride, Warfield RG42 2QD. Organised by the Bracknell Forest Rangers, for further details ring 01344 354400/354441 or visit the website
 

WALK: Fungi Walk   10am – 1pm

Come and join local expert Mike Waterman and discover what fungi can be found in the meadows and woodland alongside the Blackwater River. Mike will identify common and rare fungi and you can learn which are edible and which are poisonous. This area can be very muddy and the route crosses two stiles. Accompanied children welcome as well as dogs on leads. Organised by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust, please phone 01252 331353 to reserve your place.  Donations welcome.  Meet at Marshall Road car park, off the A321, at Shepherd Meadows, Sandhurst. Just north of M&S and Tesco. Grid ref: SU 848 606.
 

TALK: Hedgehogs - A Prickly Subject  2.45pm

Guildford Natural History Society invite you to listen to Chris Matcham of the Surrey Wildlife Trust who will talk about hedghogs.  Cost: Members free, visitors £2. Meet: The Guildford Institute, Ward Street, Guildford, (over the Royal Bank of Scotland opposite the Public Library) For more details ring 01483 275826.
 

WORKSHOP: Wild Harvest

Join Peter Sibley (ecologist) and Clifford Davy (mycologist) for a full-day course in recognising, preparing , preserving and cooking edible wild plants and mushrooms. This will be held in the Loddon Room at Dinton Pastures Country Park.  Costs £65 per person (a discount will be given for group bookings). For more details contact Peter Sibley on 0208 985 2914 or email. Also on Saturday 23rd.
 

WALK: Why We Do What We Do     11am

Join Steve, National Trust lengthsman for Catteshall length, for a 5-mile walk along the upper end of the Godalming Navigation, to learn about life as a lengthsman. Meet at Godalming Wharf. For further information contact: 01483 561389 or visit the website.
 

WALK: Fungus Foray   11am

Join Gordon Crutchfield from the Thames Valley Fungus Group, for a walk through the woods to find out some fascinating facts about these amazing life forms.  Cost: £3. Booking is essential. Meet at the main car park, California Country Park, Coombes Lane, off Bearwood Road, opposite Sandy Lane. For further information contact Wokingham Borough Council Countryside Service Tel: (0118) 934 2016 or email
 

HALF-TERM FUN: Halloween at the Canal Centre

Come along to to the Canal Centre this half term and join the hunt for our spooky friends and win a ghoulish prize. Only £1 per entry. For more details ring 01252 370073  or visit the website. Canal Centre, Mytchett Place Road, Mytchett, Surrey GU16 6DD.
 

HALF-TERM FUN: Make a Halloween Chinese Paper Lantern 10am-3pm

Make your own Halloween Chinese Lantern. decorate with pens, stickers, glitter and beads and enter our free Halloween colouring competition C Cost: £2 per child - children must be supervised.  At California Dreaming Café, California Country Park, Coombes Lane, off Bearwood Road, opposite Sandy Lane. Contact: California Dreaming Café on (0118) 973 5519.
 

HALF-TERM FUN: Hallowe’en at Dapdune Wharf   11am-3pm

Capes and wings and gloop and brew. Paint a face, you’ll look like new young witches, wizards, warlock too. Normal admission plus £1.50 for children’s activities. At Dapdune Wharf, Guildford. For further information ring 01483 561389 or visit the website.
 

HALF-TERM FUN Halloween Activity Week  11am-4pm

Want to ‘magic’ up a little something for the spooky season then visit Birdworld for a haunting time. Walk through the creepy corridors of our unique Halloween Grotto to see a spectacle of spooks and a coven of wicked witches. All in the name of fun with a little bit of fright. Themed shows, free craft activities and Halloween trail (a free treat for every child taking part), make sure you come and join in the scary fun. (No booking required and usual park entry ticket prices apply). For more details contact  Birdworld, Holt Pound, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LD.  Tel: 01420 22140. Email or visit the website
 

FOR CHILDREN: Super Heroes   11am

Carry out super hero physical and mental training and then explore the park looking for the “evil Dr Waste”. Come dressed up as a known hero or create your very own super hero. Children must be supervised by an adult. At California Dreaming Café, California Country Park, Coombes Lane, off Bearwood Road, opposite Sandy Lane. Advance booking essential. Email or call 0118 934 2016.
 

FOR CHILDREN: Music for the Forest

Craft activity: Make and take home your own musical instrument made from wild plants. Have a go at creating clatter sticks, willow tambourines and rain sticks. Best suited for 5-11 year olds. Costs £3.50 for materials. Held at the Community Hall, Braybrooke Recreation Ground, Makepiece Road, Priestwood, Bracknell RG42 2HF. Advance booking essential, ring 01344 354400/354441. Organised by Bracknell Forest Rangers.
 

WALK: Fungus Foray at Lily Hill Park   2pm-4pm

Forage for fungi in Lily Hill Park this autumn with an expert from the Thames Valley Fungus Group, to find out some fascinating facts about these amazing life forms. Cost: £2. Advance booking essential. Meet at the main car park, Lily Hill Road, Bracknell RG12 2RX. For further information contact Bracknell Forest Rangers. Tel: 013440 354400/354441 or visit the website
 

EVENT: Fright Night at California Dreaming Cafe!   4pm-7pm

It’s Fright Night at California Dreaming Café , join in the witch hunt, unlucky dips and wall of horror. Free to pop down, a small fee applies to all activities. Children must be supervised. Meet at California Dreaming Café, California Country Park, Coombes Lane, off Bearwood Road, opposite Sandy Lane. Contact: California Dreaming Café (0118) 973 5519.
 

WALK: Fungi Foray   10.30am

Join this annual fungi foray at Rowhill Nature Reserve when you will be taken around the reserve by an expert in the field - possibly Dr Brian Spooner from the Roayl Botanic Gardens in Kew, who is President of Rowhilll Nature Reserve Society - to identify the many fungi found there. Please phone 01252 319749 beforehand to register you interest. Free for members; £2 donation requested from non-members. Rowhill Nature Reserve, Cranmore Lane, Aldershot GU11 3BD. Grid ref: SU 849 499.

• Event organised by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership[