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SIGHTINGS AND NEWS FROM LANGDON VISITOR CENTRE

 
Optics days

Held approximatley once a month on a Sunday 11am - 4pm.  Join us for a chance to try out our range of binoculars and telescopes before you buy.  Beautiful surroundings with expert advice on hand. Please contact the visitor centre for the next date.  Binoculars and telescopes always available to look at during centre opening hours.
 

Caterpillar Club 

A fun morning of outdoor activities, messy play and games for pre schoolers.  Suitable for 18 months up, donation £5 per child, younger siblings go free.

Dates for 2012 - Tuesdays 10am - 12pm

15th May, 29th May, 5th June, 12th June, 26th June.
  

5k series

Starting Tuesday 22nd May then third Tuesday of June, July and August.  7.30pm - 8.30pm

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 paring.  Donation £2 per person.
 

Laindon and District Community Archive Day


The Laindon Archive Group will be returning to Langdon on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May with a display of local Dunton photographs and newspaper cuttings.  There will be photographs of our former Plotland houses and residents.  This is also your chance to share your memories with the Archive Group for inclusion on their website, www.laindonhistory.org.uk  The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.  No booking is required and entry is free.

 

The Haven Plotlands museum

Take a trip down memory lane!

Opening times October to March - Saturday and Sunday 2pm - 4pm

As we are staffed mainly by volunteers these times are subject to change without notice.  Anyone making a specific journey should call the visitors' centre on

01268 419103 before travelling.  We will endeavour to accomodate visits outside of these hours if you require - please contact the visitors' centre to arrange this.  

A donation of £2 for adults and £1 for under 16s is suggested.  Under 5s are free.

Group visits must be pre-booked.   Pre-booked group tours outside of normal opening hours may be subject to a higher donation.  
 

REGULAR EVENTS - Dates for 2012


Senior Wildlife Rangers  - Suitable for ages 11 to 16 years

Sunday 1st April 10am - 1pm

Sunday 6th May 10am - 1pm

Sunday 3rd June 10am -1pm

 

Junior Wildlife Rangers - Suitable for ages 8 to 11 years

Saturday 7th April 10.30am - 3pm

Saturday 5th May 10.30am - 3pm

Saturday 2nd June 10.30am - 3pm

We carry out practical conservation tasks - from building nest boxes to pond clearing and more.

Requested donation £2.50 per session

 


 

Wild about......Gardens week 2012

Backyard bug hunt Tuesday 3rd April 1.30pm - 3.30pm 

Discover the creepy crawlies that live on the reserve and how you can make them feel at home in your garden too.  £5 per child

Grow, grow, grow Wednesday 4th April 10am - 12pm

Get your green fingers out for a potty day all about plants.  £5 per child

Feed the birds  Wednesday 4th April 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Create some bird feeders for your garden and watch the birds here on the reserve. £5 per child

Family bushcraft day  Thursday 5th April 10am - 2.30pm

Build a den, make a fire and learn survival skills.  £8 per child
 

Wild about......Water week 2012

Quackers!  Tuesday 10th April 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Feed the ducks on the lake, play duck games and make a duck mask to take home. £5 per child

Wet and wild!  Wednesday 11th April 10.30am - 3pm 

Go pond dipping, bird watching on the lake and find out more about watery wildlife.  £10 per child

Frogs  Thursday 12th April  10am - 12pm

Join us to see how many frogs we can find in the pond.  Includes games a craft to take home.  £5 per child

Pond dipping  Thursday 12th April 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Make a splash and find out what lives in, on or under the water in our ponds. Includes a craft to take home.  £5 per child
 

Wild about......Bugs week 2012

Big bug hunt  Tuesday 5th June 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Search woods and meadows for curious creepy crawlies, plus games and crafts.  £5 per child

Langdons deadly 60 Thursday 7th June 10am - 2.30pm

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

Pond dipping Friday 8th June 10am - 12pm

Make a splash and find out what bugs are living under the water in our ponds. Includes a craft to take home.  £5 per child

Beautiful butterflies  Friday 8th June 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Join us on a search for all the different types of butterflies that live at Langdon. Includes games a craft.    £5 per child

 



Special events 2012


Creatures of the night  Saturday 31st March 7pm - 9pm

Meet the wildlife that comes out after dark - use bat detectors, check for visitors to the moth trap and more.  Suitable for 5 years and up.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.  £6 per person 
 

How do they do that?  Chocolate making  

Friday 6th April between 10.30am and 12pm and again between 1pm and 2.30pm 

DROP IN EVENT  Find out how the chocolate for our Easter eggs is made and make a seasonal treat to enjoy.  £1 per child
 

Easter Egg Hunt  Sunday 8th April 10am - 4pm

Drop in throughout the day - follow the Easter trail, answer the wildlife questions to win your chocolate egg.  Plus crafts in the Visitor Centre.  £6 per child
 

Wild birthday parties


Choose your own party from the great ideas listed.  Our education officer can help you plan a unique and unforgettable party, whatever the weather.

Choose one main activity:
 

  • Bug hunting - All year round, all ages.  Hunt for creepy crawlies using our special magnifying bug boxes
  • Pond dipping - March to October, 5+ years.  Dip on the pond to find some wet and wonderful wildlife
  • Orienteering - All year round. 6+ years.  Work in teams to find (or lose) your way around the reserve using map and compass
  • Den building - All year round, 6+ years.  Can you build a waterproof den in the woods?
  • Teddy bears picnic - All year round, under 5s.  Bring your favourite teddy for fun and games in the woods
  • Wildlife detectives -  All year round, all ages.  Discover all sorts of wildlife with our outdoor challenges
  • Bird watching - All year round, all ages.  Use binoculars to search for birds in the wildlife garden, woods and lake.

Add one or two extras (all year, all ages unless stated)
 

  • Caterpillar game - hunt for woolly 'caterpillars' to find out how camouflage works
  • Natural palettes - decorate a sticky palette with natural materials
  • Parachute games - outdoor fun with our parachute
  • Scavenger hunt - use all your senses to find the natural objects
  • Wildlife party games - inside or out depending on the weather
  • Campfire - toast marshmallows on our campfire (6+years)
  • Footprint casting - make a plaster cast of an animal's paw print (5+ years)
  • Wildlife craft - make something to take home to match your party theme
  • Land art - create a natural masterpiece using materials found in the wood
  • Nest building - build your own nest to look after an egg

When - 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm Saturday or Sunday all year round.  Other days may be available.
What's included  -  one and a half hours of activities plus half an hour for food (not included).  Use of party room throughout
You need to provide - food and drink, adults to supervise and any decorations
How many - max 24 children
How much - requested donation £7 per child, with £70 non refundable deposit at time of booking
Also available - party bags (£2, £3 or £4 bag), invitations (free for trial period) plus crockery to borrow   

For more information and to book please contact Langdon Education Officer on 01268 419103.
 

Youth group visits

Calling all youth groups!

Have you considered a visit to Langdon Nature Reserve with your group?
We can offer sessions for both fun and badge work.

Activities can include:
Pond dipping, bug hunting, bat watching, conservation work, orienteering and more.  We can tailor the visit to your requiriements.  we run sessions in the evenings and at weekends.

Contact the education team for more details.
Requested donations £4 per child ( for 2 hours)
Minimum donation £40

Protecting Wildlife for the Future and for the People of Essex