View our upcoming events for May 2012
Sat 5th May 2012 4:15-7:30 Bats Birds Bluebells and Breakfast See soprano pipistrelle bats, take a walk to listen to the dawn chorus and see bluebells on the way, followed by a full English breakfast. £12 per person. 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Sun 6th May 2012 0:00-23:45 Two Tree Island Avocet Egg Watch Volunteers required. April - June. The sixth year running! No specialist skills required as guidance will be given. If you wish to volunteer, please contact Essex Wildlife Trust HQ, or the volunteer warden, Mark Bridges 01702 557971. 4:30-7:30 Dawn Chorus Day Come and experience the Dawn Chorus at Hanningfield. Join a guide who will take you around the reserve as the sun comes up identifying the different birds you will hear. Full cooked breakfast included. £12 per person. 4:30-7:30 Bedfords Park Dawn Chorus Join us to hear the wonderful bird sounds on our early morning walk, followed by a warming breakfast back at the centre. £10 per person, booking and donation in advance essential.
19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Mon 7th May 2012 19:00-21:00 Southend Seal Watch Meet at 7 pm at The Beach Hut, opposite Toulouse Restaurant, W.Esplanade, Southend SS0 7QY. Wellies are essential for this short walk. For members only. Booking essential. For further details contact Basildon Natural History Society on 01268 491540. 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Tue 8th May 2012 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Wed 9th May 2012 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Thu 10th May 2012 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Fri 11th May 2012 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Sat 12th May 2012 19:00-23:45 Badger Boogie Dance Swing Jive Dance Swing Jive Lindy Balboa Rock n Roll Stroll. At Silver End Village Hall, The Broadway, Silver End, Nr Witham, CM8 3RQ. DJs Pat da Kat & The Muffin Man. 7.00pm Free 1-hour Dance Class for Swing Jive and Stroll. 8.00pm to 11.45pm Dance to great swing music. Good parking - Bring your own drinks Free tea and coffee Raffle. Tickets are £8 in advance, £10 on the door, phone 01621 862960, Email admin@essexwt.org.uk 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Sun 13th May 2012 4:15-7:30 Bats Birds Bluebells and Breakfast 13th May 2012 See soprano pipistrelle bats, take a walk to listen to the dawn chorus and see bluebells on the way, followed by a full English breakfast. £12 per person. 10:30-12:30 Bushcraft Babies 13 May 2012 Learn how to create shelter, build a fire, cook some tasty treats for the children and enjoy fireside activities. Suitable for children aged 4 years and over. Booking is essential and places are strictly limited. For more information, or to book a place, please email chaffordv@essex.org.uk or call 01375 484 016. £5.00 donation per child requested. Location Chafford Gorges Visitor Centre Sat 19th May 2012 10:00-16:00 Spring Birding Guided Bird indentification Walks - Optics Advice and Sales by professional bird tour leaders Discover lots of spring migrants such as Nightingale and Blackcap at the fantastic Fingringhoe wick nature reserve. This joint event with Essex Wildlife Trust and local bird tour company Swallow Birding is designed to bring you the best of spring bird watching. Join one of the guided walks to learn how to identify these birds or visit the centre for a cuppa and a piece of cake or advice on binoculars and telescopes. No Booking Required, Suggested entry donation requested Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre Tue 22nd May 2012 19:30-20:30 5k series The third Tuesday of May, June, July and August. A 5k two lap run around the beautiful woodlands and former plotlands gardens on bridleways and footpaths. Suitable for all abilities but is naturally hilly and on rough terrain. No changing facilities but toilets and results service available. Visitor centre with seating and refreshments. Under 16s welcome if accompanied by an adult. Ample free parking. £2 per person Location Langdon Visitor Centre Sat 26th May 2012 10:00-16:00 Photography Workshop Level 2 Beyond the Basics Discover hw focal length, white balance, aperture and more can transform your photography. Looking at composition and subject matter this one-day workshop with Daniel Bridge guides you to the best reults from your camera. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
10:30-12:30 Foraging Taster Session Edible Essex, in collaboration with Essex Wildlife Trust, is providing a fantastic opportunity for you to discover more about edible plants that grow wild in our countryside. The session will involve: a guided walk to forage for ingredients to make tea and salads, sampling some wild food some cooked on an open fire and recipe suggestions. The session is free and open to anyone who wants to learn more about edible wild food. Families are very welcome, but children must be over the age of 8. Participants should bring a plastic container and wear suitable outdoor clothing. Booking is essential and places are strictly limited. For more information, or to book a place, please email sophie.blythe@essexrcc.org.uk or call 01376 574 330. Location Abbotts Hall Farm Sun 27th May 2012 13:00-17:30 Essex Wildlife Trust Fun Dog Show and Dogathon Come along and bring your best friend to Essex Wildlife Trusts first ever Dog Show and Dogathon. Fun for all the family. At Belfairs Park, Leigh on Sea, SS9 4LR. Registration from 1pm, Dog Show starts at 2pm, Dogathon at 4pm. Register on the day, or in advance phone 01621 862963 or email: maxines@essexwt.org.uk Wed 30th May 2012 10:00-12:00 Caterpillar Club May Activity morning for pre-school age children at Bedfords Park. Nature and wildlife themed morning with outdoor and indoor activities focused on exploring nature and the outdoors, natural play, arts and crafts. Different activities each session. Takes place on the last Wednesday morning of every month and every Wednesday morning in the school holidays. Please dress for doing outdoor activities as we will always aim to spend some time outdoors whatever the weather! Feel free to bring a packed lunch to eat after the activities you are welcome to sit in the centre and eat if you dont want to have a picnic outside. £5 donation per child. Booking and donation in advance essential Location Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Sat 2nd Jun 2012 10:00-16:00 Drop in craft bugs Come along to the visitor centre between the times shown to make a bug. £1.50 per person Excludes Monday 4th June Location Langdon Visitor Centre Tue 5th Jun 2012 13:30-15:30 Big bug hunt Part of wild about....Bugs week. Search woods and meadows for curious creepy crawlies, plus games and crafts. £5 per child. http;//www.essexwt.org.uk/visitor_centres_nature_reserves/langdon/">Langdon Visitor Centre Thu 7th Jun 2012 10:00-14:30 Langdons deadly 60 Part of wild about.....Bugs week. Can you find 60 deadly critters on the nature reserve? Will you be crowned King of the Bug Catchers? Find out on this fun day for families. £8 per child. http;//www.essexwt.org.uk/visitor_centres_nature_reserves/langdon/">Langdon Visitor Centre 10:00-12:00 Pond Dipping Safari Have a go at catching water creatures and find out all about what really lives in the under water world. All equipment provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult. £5 donation per child. Booking and donation in advance essential.
13:30-15:30 Den Building Afternoon Activity afternoon building dens and shelters in the woods. Children must be accompanied by an adult. £5 donation per child. Booking and donation in advance essential. Location Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Fri 8th Jun 2012 19:00-9:00 Wild Night Out Enjoy a whole night on the nature reserve exploring its wildlife bat detecting, nocturnal pond dipping, small mammal survey and much more. Eat supper round an open fire, camp in tents provided and enjoy a full English breakfast at the centre in the morning. £30 donation per person. Booking Essential. Location Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sun 10th Jun 2012 11:00-16:00 Open day and Ponddipping At Gt Holland Pits nature reserve. For more information please contact Tendring Local Group on 01255 861342. Open to non members. All are welcome to these events. Sat 16th Jun 2012 10:30-12:30 River Life Join Epping Forest Countrycare and Essex Wildlife Trust for a morning on the Roding River to explore this fantastic habitat and the fabulous creatures that live there. Meeting at the car park next to the David Lloyd Centre off Roding Lane, Chigwell, IG9 6BJ. Open to ages 5 and up. Wellies are essential. Parents must stay with their children. Booking is essential. Please contact countrycare on 01992 788203 or email contactcountrycare@eppinforestdc.gov.uk. £2 per child (adults free). Location Roding Valley Meadows Sun 17th Jun 2012 11:00-16:00 Reserve Open Day Join us for our annual open day. A fun filled day with tractor rides, pond dipping, face painting, BBQ, bug hunting and lots more. FREE - donation may be required for some activities. Location Langdon Visitor Centre Wed 20th Jun 2012 10:00-16:00 Hen Keeping for Beginners Extra Date This course is for anyone who is thinking about or who has just got some hens. The course will cover essential needs, common conditions and treatments as well as frequently asked questions. There will be an opportunity to practice live hen holding and hen health checks. Tea & Coffee and homemade cake provided....Free range eggs of course! Please bring a packed lunch. Donation £30 per person. Booking essential Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre Sun 1st Jul 2012 10:00-14:00 Linking Landscapes Walk Essex Wildlife Trust are working hard to restore, recreate and rebuild Living Landscapes which will enable species and people to move through a wildlife-rich countryside. We have joined forces with RHS Hyde Hall Gardens to improve the landscape around and between our two sites. Starting at Hanningfield, you will be taken up to Hyde Hall where you will then walk through the garden and the surrounding landscape and habitats, finishing at Hanningfield. The walk leaders will help you explore and identify the varied habitats and wildlife. £8 per person. Location Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 14th Jul 2012 9:00-17:00 Wildlife Gardening Weekend Wildlife Gardening Weekend Events: To celebrate the centenary of The Wildlife Trusts, all over the country events are being run this weekend to promote the benefits of gardening for wildlife. We are joining with one of our partners, RHS Hyde Hall Gardens, to run a weekend full of exciting events for adults and children. EVENTS TAKING PLACE AT HANNINGFIELD. Sat 14th and Sun 15th July, 9am 5pm, THE SECRET GARDEN TRAIL. Discover the wildlife wonders our gardens can hold. This will be a self-guided trail for families all weekend. Come into the centre for instructions! Sun 15th July, 2pm 4pm, MAKE A MINI 3D WILDLIFE GARDEN. This will be a drop in session. Using different craft materials have a go at making a miniature wildlife garden. Learn what you can put in it to attract lots of different wildlife to inspire your whole family to have a go in your own garden. £3 per garden. EVENTS TAKING PLACE AT HYDE HALL. DISPLAY OF WILDLIFE FRIENDLY CONTAINERS. Sun 15th July 11am 12pm and 2.30p-3.30pm. Wildlife friendly containers will be on display and information leaflets will be available to take home. Normal garden admission price. EVENT TAKING PLACE AT BOTH SITES. Sun 15th July, 10am 4pm. GARDEN AND FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE AT HANNINGFIELD AND HYDE HALL. Join Daniel Bridge for an enlightening one-day workshop concentrating on garden and flower photography in the beautiful surroundings of Hanningfield Reservoir and RHS Hyde Hall. Looking at composition, lighting, choice of subject and more, Daniel will guide you to great results with a slideshow and discussion in the morning at Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre followed by an afternoon of practical photography at Hyde Hall Gardens. £40 donation per person. Please call Hanningfield on 01268 711001 to book. Sun 15th Jul 2012 9:00-17:00 Wildlife Gardening Weekend Wildlife Gardening Weekend Events: To celebrate the centenary of The Wildlife Trusts, all over the country events are being run this weekend to promote the benefits of gardening for wildlife. We are joining with one of our partners, RHS Hyde Hall Gardens, to run a weekend full of exciting events for adults and children. EVENTS TAKING PLACE AT HANNINGFIELD. Sat 14th and Sun 15th July, 9am 5pm, THE SECRET GARDEN TRAIL. Discover the wildlife wonders our gardens can hold. This will be a self-guided trail for families all weekend. Come into the centre for instructions! Sun 15th July, 2pm 4pm, MAKE A MINI 3D WILDLIFE GARDEN. This will be a drop in session. Using different craft materials have a go at making a miniature wildlife garden. Learn what you can put in it to attract lots of different wildlife to inspire your whole family to have a go in your own garden. £3 per garden. EVENTS TAKING PLACE AT HYDE HALL. DISPLAY OF WILDLIFE FRIENDLY CONTAINERS. Sun 15th July 11am 12pm and 2.30p-3.30pm. Wildlife friendly containers will be on display and information leaflets will be available to take home. Normal garden admission price. EVENT TAKING PLACE AT BOTH SITES. Sun 15th July, 10am 4pm. GARDEN AND FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE AT HANNINGFIELD AND HYDE HALL. Join Daniel Bridge for an enlightening one-day workshop concentrating on garden and flower photography in the beautiful surroundings of Hanningfield Reservoir and RHS Hyde Hall. Looking at composition, lighting, choice of subject and more, Daniel will guide you to great results with a slideshow and discussion in the morning at Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre followed by an afternoon of practical photography at Hyde Hall Gardens. £40 donation per person. Please call Hanningfield on 01268 711001 to book. Tue 17th Jul 2012 19:30-20:30 5k series July The third Tuesday 0f July and August. A 5k two lap run around the beautiful woodlands and former plotlands gardens on bridleways and footpaths. Suitable for all abilities but is naturally hilly and on rough terrain. No changing facilities but tiolets and results service available. Visitor centre with seating and refreshments. Under 16s welcome if accompanied by an adult. Ample free parking. £2 per person Location Langdon Visitor Centre
Sun 29th Jul 2012 10:00-16:00 Hanningfield Summer Fair Join us for our annual Summer Fair. Lots to do for all the family! Bouncy Castles, games, stalls, 'have a go' at drums, minibeast hunting, pond-dipping, Martin the 'bug man' and more!! Normal entry donation of £2 per adult, £1 per child, £5 per family. Wed 1st Aug 2012 10:00-12:00 Caterpillar PreSchool Club Activity morning for pre-school age children at Bedfords Park. Nature and wildlife themed morning with outdoor and indoor activities focused on exploring nature and the outdoors, natural play, arts and crafts. Different activities each session. Takes place on the last Wednesday morning of every month and every Wednesday morning in the school holidays. Please dress for doing outdoor activities as we will always aim to spend some time outdoors whatever the weather! Feel free to bring a packed lunch to eat after the activities you are welcome to sit in the centre and eat if you dont want to have a picnic outside. £5 donation per child. Booking and donation in advance essential Location Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Thu 2nd Aug 2012 10:00-12:00 Sealife Celebration Its National Marine Week so help celebrate and come along to this sealife themed activity morning. Lots of sea life themed activities and crafts. £5 donation per child. Booking and donation in advance essential. Sat 4th Aug 2012 19:00-9:00 Wild Night Out 4th August Enjoy a whole night on the nature reserve exploring its wildlife bat detecting, nocturnal pond dipping, small mammal survey and much more. Eat supper round an open fire, camp in tents provided and enjoy a full English breakfast at the centre in the morning. £30 donation per person. Booking Essential. Wed 8th Aug 2012 10:00-12:00 Caterpillar Club Preschool Activity morning for pre-school age children at Bedfords Park. Nature and wildlife themed morning with outdoor and indoor activities focused on exploring nature and the outdoors, natural play, arts and crafts. Different activities each session. Takes place on the last Wednesday morning of every month and every Wednesday morning in the school holidays. Please dress for doing outdoor activities as we will always aim to spend some time outdoors whatever the weather! Feel free to bring a packed lunch to eat after the activities you are welcome to sit in the centre and eat if you dont want to have a picnic outside. £5 donation per child. Booking and donation in advance essential Location Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Fri 10th Aug 2012 19:30-21:30 Family bat walk Come along and learn about the different bats that live and feed in the gorge. learn how to use a bat detector. Fun for all the family. £5.00 requested donation per person. Sat 11th Aug 2012 10:00-16:00 Photography Workshop Level 3 Close up and Macro Photography Learn how to use your camera to make fantastic pictures from the tiniest details - on this one day workshop with Daniel Bridge we look at equipment, techniques and how to find subjects. £40 per person. Wed 15th Aug 2012 10:00-12:00 Caterpillar Summer Club Activity morning for pre-school age children at Bedfords Park. Nature and wildlife themed morning with outdoor and indoor activities focused on exploring nature and the outdoors, natural play, arts and crafts. Different activities each session. Takes place on the last Wednesday morning of every month and every Wednesday morning in the school holidays. Please dress for doing outdoor activities as we will always aim to spend some time outdoors whatever the weather! Feel free to bring a packed lunch to eat after the activities you are welcome to sit in the centre and eat if you dont want to have a picnic outside. £5 donation per child. Booking and donation in advance essential Location Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Fri 24th Aug 2012 9:00-17:00 Wildlife Spectacle Weekend Bat Bonanza!! Come and go batty at Hanningfield and RHS Hyde Hall Gardens. Wildlife spectacle - Bat Bonanza Weekend Events: To celebrate European at Weekend we are running a series of bat themed events in conjunction with RHS Hyde Hall Gardens: EVENTS AT HANNINGFIELD AND HYDE HALL. Fri 24th Aug, 6-pm - 7pm. Start your evening with a Guided Garden walk at RHS Hyde Hall. Let your senses experience the fantastic evening flora that attracts insects for bats to feast on. 7.30pm 9pm. Move on to Hanningfield visitor centre to witness the amazing wildlife spectacle of hundreds of bats emerging into a dusky summer sky. £6 donation per person. Please call RHS Hyde Hall on 0845 612 1253 to book. GO BATTY TRAIL At Hyde Hall Gardens and at Hanningfield over this weekend there will be self-guided bat trails. You can turn up any time during opening hours at either of the sites and have a go at the trail. Fun for all the family! Just ask at the entrance to either site for more details. EVENTS AT HANNINGFIELD. Sat 25th Aug, Batty Crafts, 10am-12pm, £5 donation per child. Sun 26th Aug, Make a bat box 12 noon 2pm. Drop in any time between 12 noon and 2pm to make a bat box and then take home and put up in your garden to see if our furry flying friends will come and roost in it! £5 per box. Sat 25th Aug 2012 9:00-17:00 Wildlife Spectacle Weekend Bat Bonanza!! Come and go batty at Hanningfield and RHS Hyde Hall Gardens. Wildlife spectacle - Bat Bonanza Weekend Events: To celebrate European at Weekend we are running a series of bat themed events in conjunction with RHS Hyde Hall Gardens: EVENTS AT HANNINGFIELD AND HYDE HALL. Fri 24th Aug, 6-pm - 7pm. Start your evening with a Guided Garden walk at RHS Hyde Hall. Let your senses experience the fantastic evening flora that attracts insects for bats to feast on. 7.30pm 9pm. Move on to Hanningfield visitor centre to witness the amazing wildlife spectacle of hundreds of bats emerging into a dusky summer sky. £6 donation per person. Please call RHS Hyde Hall on 0845 612 1253 to book. GO BATTY TRAIL At Hyde Hall Gardens and at Hanningfield over this weekend there will be self-guided bat trails. You can turn up any time during opening hours at either of the sites and have a go at the trail. Fun for all the family! Just ask at the entrance to either site for more details. EVENTS AT HANNINGFIELD. Sat 25th Aug, Batty Crafts, 10am-12pm, £5 donation per child. Sun 26th Aug, Make a bat box 12 noon 2pm. Drop in any time between 12 noon and 2pm to make a bat box and then take home and put up in your garden to see if our furry flying friends will come and roost in it! £5 per box. Sun 26th Aug 2012 9:00-17:00 Wildlife Spectacle Weekend Bat Bonanza!! Come and go batty at Hanningfield and RHS Hyde Hall Gardens. Wildlife spectacle - Bat Bonanza Weekend Events: To celebrate European at Weekend we are running a series of bat themed events in conjunction with RHS Hyde Hall Gardens: EVENTS AT HANNINGFIELD AND HYDE HALL. Fri 24th Aug, 6-pm - 7pm. Start your evening with a Guided Garden walk at RHS Hyde Hall. Let your senses experience the fantastic evening flora that attracts insects for bats to feast on. 7.30pm 9pm. Move on to Hanningfield visitor centre to witness the amazing wildlife spectacle of hundreds of bats emerging into a dusky summer sky. £6 donation per person. Please call RHS Hyde Hall on 0845 612 1253 to book. GO BATTY TRAIL At Hyde Hall Gardens and at Hanningfield over this weekend there will be self-guided bat trails. You can turn up any time during opening hours at either of the sites and have a go at the trail. Fun for all the family! Just ask at the entrance to either site for more details. EVENTS AT HANNINGFIELD. Sat 25th Aug, Batty Crafts, 10am-12pm, £5 donation per child. Sun 26th Aug, Make a bat box 12 noon 2pm. Drop in any time between 12 noon and 2pm to make a bat box and then take home and put up in your garden to see if our furry flying friends will come and roost in it! £5 per box. Fri 31st Aug 2012 19:00-9:00 Wild Night Out 31st August Enjoy a whole night on the nature reserve exploring its wildlife bat detecting, nocturnal pond dipping, small mammal survey and much more. Eat supper round an open fire, camp in tents provided and enjoy a full English breakfast at the centre in the morning. £30 donation per person. Booking Essential. Sat 8th Sep 2012 10:00-16:00 Photography Workshop Level 1 Know the Basics Sat 8th Sept Confused by aperture, shutter speed and ISO? Don't know your Program Mode from your White Balance? This one-day workshop with Daniel Bridge guides you through the basics of photography, allowing you to take full control of your camera. £40 per person. 12:00-16:00 Fun in the Fields Following on from the success of last year's "Unto the Fields", Countrycare and the Essex Wildlife Trust will be hosting an Autumn fete of nature conservation discovery. Come along to learn more about this fantastic Nature Reserve and have some fun too. Something for all the family. Car parking next to the David Lloyd Centre off Roding Lane, Chigwell, IG9 6BJ. Follow signs from there to event location (grid reference TQ 430 945). Further details tbc (Please contact Countrycare on 01992 788203 or email contactcountrycare@eppinforestdc.gov.uk for more information). Location Roding Valley Meadows Sun 16th Sep 2012 9:30-12:30 James Merriott Art Class AM Session Essex artist James Merriott will be demonstrating and teaching watercolour painting at Hanningfield visitor centre. Beginners, amateurs and professionals are all welcome. The 1/2 day instruction will consist of James painting a landscape on the easel from which you can work along with him or get him to help you. Please bring watercolour paints, watercolour brushes and water colour paper. Please advise us if you need to borrow art materials, a limited supply is available for beginners. For further course detail contact james at: jamesmerriott_art@btinternet.com. Booking Essential. £10 per person per session. 11:00-16:00 1940's Haven Open Day Join us for a day back in the war period. A chance to take a step back in time. Visit our original plotlands bungalow, workshop,washroom and gardens. Experience an air raid, visit the story teller, have your face painted, take part in quizzes and games and lots more. Round off the day with tea and cake down by the visitor centre. £4.00 per adult,£2.00 per child £ Location Langdon Visitor Centre 13:30-16:30 James Merriott Art Class PM Session Essex artist James Merriott will be demonstrating and teaching watercolour painting at Hanningfield visitor centre. Beginners, amateurs and professionals are all welcome. The 1/2 day instruction will consist of James painting a landscape on the easel from which you can work along with him or get him to help you. Please bring watercolour paints, watercolour brushes and water colour paper. Please advise us if you need to borrow art materials, a limited supply is available for beginners. For further course detail contact james at: jamesmerriott_art@btinternet.com. Booking Essential. £10 per person per session. Sat 6th Oct 2012 12:30-16:30 Thames Barge Trip 5 Join us as we set sail from Brightlingsea for an afternoon birdwatching along the River Colne and Blackwater estuary. Includes late lunch. £45 per person. Booking in advance is essential on 01206 738172. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Sun 7th Oct 2012 13:15-17:15 Thames Barge Trip 6 Join us as we set sail from Brightlingsea for an afternoon birdwatching along the River Colne and Blackwater estuary. Includes late lunch. £45 per person. Booking in advance is essential on 01206 738172. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Sun 14th Oct 2012 10:00-16:00 Autumn Apple Fayre Join us at the visitor centre for all things autumn, there will be craft tables, local apples and juice to buy, and childrens activities too. Free event but donations requested for some activities. Location Bedfords Park Visitor Centre 13:30-15:30 Red Deer Walk Observe the Red deer rut on a guided walk around the deer enclosure. £5 donation per person. Booking and donation in advance essential. Location Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Sat 20th Oct 2012 10:30-16:30 Thames Barge Trip 7 Join us at Ipswich (Haven Marina) for a day's birdwatching along the Rivers Orwell & Stour. Fully catered trip. £50 per person. Booking in advance is essential on 01206 738172. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Sun 21st Oct 2012 10:00-16:00 'All about Birds' Our advisor will be available to discuss all aspects of bird care including feeding, nest boxes and what to do with casualties. Additionally, David Petts is doing an Introduction to Birds walk from 10am - 12.30pm for which you need to book in advance (please bring binoculars if you have them) and David Bailes is running an optics day so you can choose which binoculars to watch those birds with! £5 per person for Introduction to Birds Walk. 10:30-16:30 Thames Barge Trip 8 Join us at Ipswich (Haven Marina) for a day's birdwatching along the Rivers Orwell & Stour. Fully catered trip. £50 per person. Booking in advance is essential on 01206 738172. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Sat 27th Oct 2012 10:00-15:00 Thames Barge Trip 9 Join us at Maldon for an interesting combination of a two-hour sail on the River Blackwater, with lunch on board the barge, followed by a guided walk along the sea wall from Hythe Quay. £30 per person. Booking in advance is essential on 01206 738172. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Sun 28th Oct 2012 10:00-15:00 Thames Barge Trip 10 Join us at Maldon for an interesting combination of atwo-hour sail on the River Blackwater, with lunch on board the barge, followed by a guided walk along the sea wall from Hythe Quay. £30 per person. Booking in advance is essential on 01206 738172. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Tue 30th Oct 2012 10:00-12:00 Halloween in the Park Morning Family activity morning at Bedfords Park. Come along for some Halloween and out-door fun in the Park. Wear your Halloween costumes but dont forget to dress for going outdoors! Children must be accompanied by an adult. £5 donation per child. Booking and payment in advance essential.
Wed 31st Oct 2012 18:00-21:00 Howling Halloween Evening halloween fun and bring along your carved pumpkin to enter into our best carved pumpkin competition! £6 donation per child. Booking and donation in advance essential. Location Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Fri 2nd Nov 2012 10:00-12:00 Jewellery Making Learn to make your own unique peices from beads. 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd November. Location Langdon Visitor Centre 13:30-10:00 Willow Lantern Making Come and join us at the visitor centre to make a willow lantern, plus a short walk in the park after to try them out! £7 per lantern, all materials included.
Sat 3rd Nov 2012 9:00-17:00 Second Hand Book Sale A selection of second hand books will be available to buy at very reasonable prices. Come and grab yourself a bargain! Sun 4th Nov 2012 9:00-17:00 Second Hand Book Sale A selection of second hand books will be available to buy at very reasonable prices. Come and grab yourself a bargain! Sat 24th Nov 2012 9:00-17:00 Tree Trail To celebrate National Tree Week we will have a self guided trail on the reserve with the theme of trees. Fun for all the family! Just come into the visitor centre at any time over the weekend to pick up instructions. Normal entry donation. Sun 25th Nov 2012 9:00-17:00 Tree Trail To celebrate National Tree Week we will have a self guided trail on the reserve with the theme of trees. Fun for all the family! Just come into the visitor centre at any time over the weekend to pick up instructions. Normal entry donation. 10:00-16:00 Book Sale From fact to fiction, from horror to romance, we have it all. Fantastic prices and a great chance to stock up for those cooler nights. Secondhand books wanted from 10th November. Sat 8th Dec 2012 10:00-14:00 Winter Wonderland Meet Father Christmas, receive your gift, Christmas craft workshop, Sit in Santa's Sleigh where you can take your own photo. 3 session daily. Times: 10.00am - 11.00am 11.30am - 12.30am 13.00pm - 14.00pm Requested Donation: £5.00 per child for craft and meet santa, £2.00 per Adult £3.00 per child to meet santa, £2.00 per Adult Booking is essential as we do have limited spaces, book now to avoid dissapoiontment. Sun 9th Dec 2012 10:00-14:00 Winter Wonderland 1 Meet Father Christmas, receive your gift, Christmas craft workshop, Sit in Santa's Sleigh where you can take your own photo. 3 session daily. Times: 10.00am - 11.00am 11.30am - 12.30am 13.00pm - 14.00pm Requested Donation: £5.00 per child for craft and meet santa, £2.00 per Adult £3.00 per child to meet santa, £2.00 per Adult Booking is essential as we do have limited spaces, book now to avoid dissapoiontment. 10:00-14:00 Winter Wonderland 2 Meet Father Christmas, receive your gift, Christmas craft workshop, Sit in Santa's Sleigh where you can take your own photo. 3 session daily. Times: 10.00am - 11.00am 11.30am - 12.30am 13.00pm - 14.00pm Requested Donation: £5.00 per child for craft and meet santa, £2.00 per Adult £3.00 per child to meet santa, £2.00 per Adult Booking is essential as we do have limited spaces, book now to avoid dissapoiontment. 10:30-12:00 Winter Wonders Escape the stresses of the season to find out what our wildlife is up to at this time of year on a walk round the reserve. £3 donation per person. Children must be accompanied. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
12:00-15:00 Santa at the Haven Meet Father Christmas at his special house in the woods. See the elves workshop, the stable for rudolph and get to meet the man himself. £3.50 per child including gift. Location Langdon Visitor Centre Fri 14th Dec 2012 19:00-21:00 Carol Evening Come and sing traditional Christmas Carols at the Haven museum in front of a log fire and lit by candle light. Then return to the visitor centre to enjoy a warm drink and mince pie. Three sessions starting at 7pm, 7.40pm & 8.20pm. Donation £6 per person. Location Langdon Visitor Centre Sat 15th Dec 2012 10:00-14:00 Winter Wonderland 3 Meet Father Christmas, receive your gift, Christmas craft workshop, Sit in Santa's Sleigh where you can take your own photo. 3 session daily. Times: 10.00am - 11.00am 11.30am - 12.30am 13.00pm - 14.00pm Requested Donation: £5.00 per child for craft and meet santa, £2.00 per Adult £3.00 per child to meet santa, £2.00 per Adult Booking is essential as we do have limited spaces, book now to avoid dissapoiontment. Sun 16th Dec 2012 10:00-16:00 Christmas Celebration Event Join us for traditional christmas wreath making, childrens craft activities, craft sales tables, mulled punch, mince pies and more. Free event but donation for some activities requested. 10:00-14:00 Winter Wonderland 4 Meet Father Christmas, receive your gift, Christmas craft workshop, Sit in Santa's Sleigh where you can take your own photo. 3 session daily. Times: 10.00am - 11.00am 11.30am - 12.30am 13.00pm - 14.00pm Requested Donation: £5.00 per child for craft and meet santa, £2.00 per Adult £3.00 per child to meet santa, £2.00 per Adult Booking is essential as we do have limited spaces, book now to avoid dissapoiontment. 12:00-15:00 Santa at the Haven 2 Meet Father Christmas at his special house in the woods. See the elves workshop, the stable for rudolph and get to meet the man himself. £3.50 per child including gift. Location Langdon Visitor Centre Sat 22nd Dec 2012 10:00-14:00 Winter Wonderland 5 Meet Father Christmas, receive your gift, Christmas craft workshop, Sit in Santa's Sleigh where you can take your own photo. 3 session daily. Times: 10.00am - 11.00am 11.30am - 12.30am 13.00pm - 14.00pm Requested Donation: £5.00 per child for craft and meet santa, £2.00 per Adult £3.00 per child to meet santa, £2.00 per Adult Booking is essential as we do have limited spaces, book now to avoid dissapoiontment. 13:00-15:00 Christmas Craft Afternoon Come and celebrate Christmas with us, with a christmas craft activity session. £5 donation per child. Booking and donation in advance essential
Sun 23rd Dec 2012 10:00-14:00 Winter Wonderland 6 Meet Father Christmas, receive your gift, Christmas craft workshop, Sit in Santa's Sleigh where you can take your own photo. 3 session daily. Times: 10.00am - 11.00am 11.30am - 12.30am 13.00pm - 14.00pm Requested Donation: £5.00 per child for craft and meet santa, £2.00 per Adult £3.00 per child to meet santa, £2.00 per Adult Booking is essential as we do have limited spaces, book now to avoid dissapoiontment. 12:00-15:00 Santa at the Haven 3 Meet Father Christmas at his special house in the woods. See the elves workshop, the stable for rudolph and get to meet the man himself. £3.50 per child including gift. Location Langdon Visitor Centre Mon 24th Dec 2012 10:00-14:00 Christmas Eve Crafts Join in with a christmas craft if you are visiting the centre today! Location Bedfords Park Visitor Centre |