17th July 2006

Meet the Wildlife

If you have every wondered what life is like in a meadow, what flowers and grasses grow there, what creatures hide in the grasses, bushes and trees and how meadows are managed, then come along to Hawley Meadows on Thursday 3rd August when Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership are hosting a special family discovery day called ‘Meet the Wildlife’ between 11am and 2.30pm.

There will be plenty of opportunity to go on a bug hunt, join a guided walk, meet the cattle grazing the meadow, see the amazing creatures from the river and learn about how the site is managed. In addition there will be children’s games, activities and quizzes, whilst adults can take the opportunity to talk to some of the people who look after the site. Everyone should take the time to look along the river to see if they can spot the Moorhens, which hide amongst the reeds, or catch a glimpse of blue as a Kingfisher flashes past. 

Hawley Meadows is located in the heart of the Blackwater Valley and is probably one of the few places where you can get an impression of what the area may once have looked like. Go back 150 - 200 years and the area was a wide expanse of open grassland used by local people to graze livestock. When the railways came in the 1800s the area started to develop, although Hawley Meadows remained part of a farm until the Blackwater Valley Road A331 was built in the 1980s.

What many people do not realise is that Hawley Meadows plays a vital role as a flood defence for the surroundings towns of Blackwater, Camberley and Farnborough. During very rainy periods the river rises, eventually ‘breaking its banks' and the surrounding fields act as a reservoir for the flood water. Hard to imagine in in the heat of a dry mid-summer when the meadows are alive with butterflies, dragonflies, grasshoppers, crickets, in fact all kinds of insects that live amongst the wildflowers and grasses.

If you want to discover more about this lovely Blackwater Valley site note the date: Thursday 3rd August, bring a picnic and make the most of the day, drinks will be available. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and only dogs on leads are allowed. Access is via Admiralty Way, Camberley, which is just south of the A30/A331 road junction and within easy walking distance of Blackwater railway station. For more details ring 01252 331353.

More about Hawley Meadows  >>>

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For further information contact:
Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353. 

Notes

• The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) is funded by the County, District and Parish Councils along the River Blackwater. It works to promote community action in conservation and recreation and to protect the Valley for the enjoyment and well being of the whole community.
• Members of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership are: Hampshire County Council, Surrey County Council; the District, Town and Borough Councils of Blackwater & Hawley, Bracknell Forest, Farnham, Guildford, Hart, Rushmoor, Sandhurst, Surrey Heath, Waverley, Wokingham and Yateley.