Hedge your bets for outdoor fun this half term
City dwellers can get a taste of life in the country this half-term without leaving Plymouth!
Events are being organised for the young and young- at-heart to get mucky this half -term by Plymouth City Council’s Stepping Stone to Nature team.
The programme is designed to get families out and about, enjoy the fresh air as well as get closer to nature and have some fun in the green spaces, woods and nature reserves across the city.
One highlight at Kinterbury Creek on Thursday 20 February is a chance to create a bit of country in the city, with the ‘Big Hedge Plant’. A native hedge, which will include beech, blackthorn, hazel and hawthorn, is being planted with the help of local people and the Council’s Street Scene Services staff.
There will also be mosaic making for seating blocks for the play area.
The activities are part of the ‘Care for You Creek!’ improvements to Kinterbury Creek working with the local people and agencies in Barne Barton and St Budeaux. Other improvements planned include a trail to the stream, wooden sculpture, picnic area, information boards, wind-up sound recordings of birdlife at the Creek (recorded on site over a series of weekends with Friends/local community) made with support of sound artist Tony Whitehead, Take A Part and the RSPB.
Councillor Brian Vincent, Cabinet member for the Environment said: “Lots of organisations have worked hard together to create these events which are not only fun and healthy, they lead to all of getting a better understanding of the nature we have all around us. We may live in a city, but we value the green space we have”
Meet near the play area behind Foulston Avenue. Indoor space is booked if the weather is too wild and venue change will be advertised by the totem pole entrance off Wolsesley Road.
Other events include
* Sunday 16 February: Ham Woods Community orchard fruit tree planting.
Free refreshments including hot soup. Meet at Ham House at 10.45am or in the community orchard at 11am. The event runs until 2pm. There is parking at nearby Tewkesbury Close, PL2 2HE. Booking required. Contact John Randall, email jmrandall@blueyonder.co.uk or call 01752 309857, mobile 07753 432061.
* Monday 17 February: Ham Woods – Discover your local wildlife with Plymouth Woodland Project.
Find out about the bugs and beasties in the woods. Learn to identify mini-beasts and take part in our big bug hunt survey. Meet at 10am by Ham House, at the top of Tewkesbury Close near the entrance to the woods. To book email alison.smith@plymouth.ac.uk or call 07954 683869 or you can turn up on the day. The event runs until 12.30pm
* Wednesday 19 February Woodland Wood Play Rangers Free playful activities on your doorstep. Drop in anytime to the play area by Kirkwall Road, Crownhill end of Woodland Wood. Play Rangers will be in a range of venues over half term. Keep up to date with them by following them on twitter.com/theplayrangers or facebook.com/the play Rangers. It runs from 11am until 3.30pm
* Thursday 20 February Kinterbury Creek Care For You Creek! See above
* Thursday 20 February Radford Woods – Discover your local wildlife with Plymouth Woodland Project Meet at 10am in the Radford Woods bird hide, off White Lady Road. It runs until 12.30pm
* Thursday 20 February Efford Marsh – Wild About Woods!
Family fun and help plan upcoming improvements to this beautiful space. Meet at the open space in Efford between Deer Park and Military Road. It runs from 11am until 2pm
All children must be accompanied by an adult. For all the events bring wellies and wet weather clothing.
For more information about Plymouth’s nature reserves visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/parksnatureandgreenspaces
Facebook: SteppingStones Plymouth, email steppingstones@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 307760.
