Gwent Wildlife Trust

Gwent Wildlife Trust
Ymddiriedolaeth Natur Gwent

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GWENT WILDLIFE TRUST EVENTS – 2010


Everyone is welcome to Wildlife Trust events, but please observe booking arrangements where applicable. Please come prepared for the Welsh weather on outdoor meetings – warm outdoor clothing and waterproofs, sun hat and sun screen. Stout walking shoes or boots are also essential. We recommend you have an up to date tetanus injection. Bring torches for dusk events. For directions to reserves, see the reserve web pages, our Reserves Leaflet or buy our Reserves Guide (£3 for Members, £6 for Non-members).

To book events (where ‘booking essential’ is specified), ring GWT on 01600 740358, or write to the Trust office. Full details of courses will be sent as confirmation of booking. The Trust reserves the right to cancel courses. In such cases, full refunds will be given. In the event of cancellation by you, we will make a full refund provided at least two weeks notice is given.


August

Nature Detectives for the Family
Tutor: Chris Hatch
The trouble with wildlife is that often, it’s not easy to find – you need to know how, where and when to look and how to spot the signs that usually go un-noticed. On this family morning, you will learn to identify tracks, trails and all manner of signs of wildlife in the countryside, covering a whole range of species. Perfect for the budding nature detective…of any age!
Wednesday 4th August, 10am – 12pm
Pentwyn Farm, near Monmouth
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £4 members, £6 non-members, £2 children
Booking Essential

Outdoor Living Skills
Tutor: Gavin Cornthwaite
An exciting day learning safe knife and axe techniques for all ages. Attendees will learn how to safely build shelters and light fires in the countryside. Basic wild foods that are edible will also be covered on the day.
Saturday 7th August, 10am – 4pm
Venue: Environmental Resource Centre, near Ebbw Vale
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £5 members, £10 non-members
Booking Essential

Blaenau Gwent Summer Funday
Leader: Veronika Brannovic
Good summer fun for everyone. Can you complete the wildlife challenge? Would you like to explore pond life, go on a minibeast safari and follow the tree and texture trails? Find out about local wildlife on a guided walk and enjoy games, music, crafts, stories and more. Refreshments will be available.
Wednesday 11th August, 2pm – 5pm
Environmental Resource Centre, near Ebbw Vale
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £1 adults, children FREE
Booking not required

Bird Ringing Demonstration
Tutor: Ian Vaughan
The demonstration will provide a very special opportunity for members of the public to see some of Magor Marsh’s wild birds VERY close up. With luck, this will include one of Magor’s specialties – the secretive Cetti’s Warbler. Dr Ian Vaughan is an ecologist working at Cardiff University and will help you learn how bird ringing is carried out, why bird ringing is carried out and the ways in which regular ringing at Magor contributes to vital conservation work, locally, nationally and internationally. This event is suitable for beginners and families, provided that children are accompanied by an adult.
Thursday 12th August 2010, 8am – 12pm
Magor Marsh, near Newport
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £3 members, £6 non-members
Booking Essential

Dingestow Court Open Gardens
Leaders: Helen Bosanquet & Denis Jackson
In previous years, despite the weather, hundreds of people came to see the delightful gardens that Helen Bosanquet has created at Dingestow Court – also home to GWT’s HQ. Helen has created an excellent example of how wildlife friendly gardening can also be beautiful gardening and each year she opens the gardens to the public to support the work of the Trust. As well as the gardens, tea, cakes and plants for sale, we plan to provide a number of activities for children including pond dipping and minibeast hunts – a great day out for the whole family.
Wednesday 18th August, 11am – 4pm
Seddon House, Dingestow, near Monmouth
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: FREE
No need to book

Surveying for Dormice
Tutor: Jan Kinchington
This course is a brief introduction to dormouse ecology, their conservation requirements, their legal protection, where to find them and what signs to look out for. You will join Jan on a walk around Croes Robert, looking at habitat, woodland management and for signs of dormice. Our dormouse courses are, without doubt, our most popular. We always have a waiting list from previous years to early booking is essential.
Saturday 28th August, 10am – 1pm
Pentwyn and Croes Robert, near Monmouth
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £10 members, £15 non-members
Booking Essential


September

Blaenau Gwent Local Group Meeting
Wednesday 8th September, 7.30pm
King’s Arms, Newtown, Ebbw Vale
Contact: Blaenau Gwent Local Group, 01495 308056
Cost: FREE
All welcome, including non-members

Introduction to Dormice
Tutor: Jan Kinchington
If all wildlife were as cute as Dormice, the Trust would have 20,000 members and everyone would want to work in conservation! This course is a chance to meet these elusive mammals and to gain an insight into how they live and the work the Trust does to conserve them.
Sunday 12th September, 10am – 11.30am
Croes Robert, near Monmouth
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £3 members, £6 non-members
Booking Essential

Dry Stone Walling
Tutor: Terry Mead
Be involved in the restoration of an ancient landscape feature. This practical course will teach you the necessary skills to strip out and rebuild a strong, stock-proof boundary wall, without the need for cement. Learn the function of the different types of stone used in a dry stone wall, and how to build safely and effectively with them. This is a practical course. Attendees should be prepared for a lot of heavy lifting.
Monday & Tuesday 13th & 14th September, 9.30am – 4.30pm
Pentwyn Farm, near Monmouth
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £45 members, £60 non-members
Booking Essential


October

Wyndcliff and Pierce Woods: an Ecological and Historical Introduction
Tutor: George Peterken
Gwent Wildlife Trust President and author of ‘Wye Valley’ (New Naturalist 105), George Peterken is a noted ecologist. This course is an opportunity to accompany George on a testing walk from the river to the Wyndcliff. You will learn about natural woodland and the picturesque, as well as how to identify different tree and shrub species and learn about their habitats and management. Feel free to bring your copy of George’s book to be signed.
Saturday 2nd October, 11am – 4pm
Wyndcliffe, near Tintern
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £3 members, £6 non-members
Booking Essential

A Brush with Nature – Painting and Drawing Wild Fungi
Tutors: Rick Park & Sheila Spence
Rick is GWT’s new Chief Executive and a talented wildlife artist. Sheila is well known local fungi specialist. This is a two day course: on Saturday, we’ll be walking around the site looking for specimens to collect. We’ll be assessing what is found and the places or habitats in which they grow. On Sunday we’ll spend the day learning from Rick how to draw and paint the fungi using a variety of media.
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th October, Saturday 2pm – 4pm, Sunday 9.30am – 4.30pm
Magor Marsh, near Newport
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £60 members, £90 non-members
Booking Essential

The Severn Estuary: Energy at a Price
Speaker: Dr Rick Park, GWT CEO Tuesday 12th October, 7.30pm Glen yr Afon House Hotel, Usk Contact: Usk Local Group, 01495 785530 Cost: £2 adults, children free

An Exploration of Otter Hole & Chepstow Caves
Speaker: Forest of Dean Caving Club
Wednesday 20th October, 7.30pm
Chepstow Leisure Centre, Chepstow
Contact: Chepstow Local Group, 01291 689326
Cost: £1.50 members, £2 non-members
Tea & coffee available

Autumn Fruits
Leaders: Kathy Barclay & Helen John
Fruits are important. They help plants spread and they provide a perfect food for many wild creatures, especially birds. Come to Magor Marsh to find out about the fruits that grow here. Have a go at painting with natural paints and create your own little masterpiece. An entertaining day out for all the family in this season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.
Saturday 23rd October, 1pm – 3pm
Magor Marsh, near Newport
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £1 children, adults FREE
No need to book

Introduction to Dormice
Tutor: Jan Kinchington
If all wildlife were as cute as Dormice, the Trust would have 20,000 members and everyone would want to work in conservation! This course is a chance to meet these elusive mammals and to gain an insight into how they live and the work the Trust does to conserve them.
Sunday 24th October, 10am – 11.30am
Croes Robert, near Monmouth
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £3 members, £6 non-members
Booking Essential

Autumn Funday
Leader: Veronika Brannovic
Autumn fun for all ages. Learn about the wildlife that lives locally and complete the autumn wildlife challenge. Find out how you can help birds and other wildlife through the winter – make bird boxes and bird food cakes to take home. You can also have a go at green woodworking and other woodland crafts, hear woodland stories and have your face painted (optional for adults!).
Wednesday 27th October, 11am – 3pm
Environmental Resource Centre, near Ebbw Vale
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £1 adults, children FREE
No need to book

A Brush with Nature – Painting and Drawing Wild Fungi
Tutors: Rick Park & Sheila Spence
Rick is GWT’s new Chief Executive and a talented wildlife artist. Sheila is well known local fungi specialist. This is a two day course: on Saturday, we’ll be walking around the site looking for specimens to collect. We’ll be assessing what is found and the places or habitats in which they grow. On Sunday we’ll spend the day learning from Rick how to draw and paint the fungi using a variety of media.
Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st October, Saturday 2pm – 4pm, Sunday 9.30am – 4.30pm
Ebbw Vale
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £60 members, £90 non-members
Booking Essential


November

The National Trust’s Brecon Beacons
Speaker: Joe Daggett Tuesday 9th November, 7.30pm Glen yr Afon House Hotel, Usk Contact: Usk Local Group, 01495 785530 Cost: £2 adults, children free

Blaenau Gwent Local Group Meeting
Wednesday 10th November, 7.30pm
King’s Arms, Newtown, Ebbw Vale
Contact: Blaenau Gwent Local Group, 01495 308056
Cost: FREE
All welcome, including non-members

Creating Simple Living Willow Structures
Tutor: Tom Richards
An opportunity to learn how to make basic living willow structures using hand tools. This course, which is aimed firmly at the beginner, will equip participants with the knowledge and skills they need to start experimenting with this fascinating living artform. Living structures are a great addition to any garden and are a great activity for those working with children in schools and groups too.
Saturday 13th November, 10am – 2pm
Magor Marsh, near Newport
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £10 members, £15 non-members
Booking Essential

Dealing with Injured Wildlife
Speaker: Mike Edwards
What to do if you find an injured animal. How to approach and the best course of action if you find a wild animal injured. A chance for an interesting and lively discussion with plenty of first hand stories!
Monday 15th November, 7pm – 8pm
Environmental Resource Centre, Ebbw Vale
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: Donations to be split between City Wildlife Care and GWT
Booking Essential

Winter Wildlife
Speaker: Chris Hatch
Wednesday 17th November, 7.30pm
Chepstow Leisure Centre, Chepstow
Contact: Chepstow Local Group, 01291 689326
Cost: £1.50 members, £2 non-members
Tea & coffee available

Hedgelaying
Tutor: Kevin Williams
A practical introduction to Hedgelaying. Participants will learn how to prepare a hedge for laying and how to select the right trees for laying. It will include a brief discussion of the various styles of hedgelaying. You will also be shown how to use and sharpen the tools provided.
Saturday 27th November, 10am – 4.30pm
Springdale Reserve, near Usk
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £25 members, £35 non-members
Booking Essential


December

Nature Detectives for Adults
Tutor: Chris Hatch
Learn to identify tracks, trails, and all manner wildlife signs in the countryside, covering a whole range of species. A repeat of Chris’ course back in August but this time for an adult audience.
Tuesday 7th December, 10am – 12pm
Magor Marsh, near Newport
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £4 members, £6 non-members
Booking Essential

Crafts & Carols at Magor Marsh
Leaders: Kathy Barclay & Helen John
This afternoon event will get the whole family in the Christmas spirit. GWT have teamed up with St. Mary’s Church, Magor, to present an afternoon of Christmas craft followed by some heart-warming carol singing round the camp-fire (weather permitting).
Saturday 11th December, 2pm – 5pm
Magor Marsh, near Newport
Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust
Cost: £1 members, £1.50 non-members
Booking Essential

The Future of Gwent Wildlife Trust
Speaker: Rick Park, CEO GWT
Wednesday 15th December, 7.30pm
Chepstow Leisure Centre, Chepstow
Contact: Chepstow Local Group, 01291 689326
Cost: £1.50 members, £2 non-members
Tea & coffee available


WILDLIFE WATCH

Wildlife Watch leaders run a full programme of monthly activities for children aged between 5 and 12.
Abergavenny: Keith Bucknall, 01873 832072.  Magor (between Chepstow & Newport): Nic Hutchinson 01291 421568.
 

WORK TASKS

Volunteers carry out a variety of practical conservation tasks on Gwent Wildlife Trust Reserves every Thursday. Sessions are led by Gwent Wildlife Trust staff. For further information ring Jan Kinchington on 07738 231155.

WING also run reserve work tasks in and around Newport. For further details, contact Roger James on 01633 215627.

The wardens of Strawberry Cottage Wood are running work tasks, on the second Sunday morning of every month, at this site four miles north of Abergavenny. Sessions will start at 9.30am at the lay-by by the woods and finish about 12.30pm. For more information, contact Kaf and John Faragher on 01873 851562.
 

LOCAL GROUP CONTACTS:

(A)  Abergavenny Group - Keith White 01873 852036
(BG)   Blaenau Gwent Group - Rodney Morris - 01495 - 308056
(C)   Chepstow Group - Hilary Lee 01291 689326
(FOSV)   Friends of Silent Valley - Trust Office 01600 740600
(GWT)   GWT Office - 01600 740600
(M)   Monmouth Group - Alison Willott, 01600 740286
(MMWC)   Magor Marsh Watch Club - Nic Hutchinson 01291 421568
(T)   Torfaen Group - Vicky Coghlan  01495 759139
(U)   Usk Group - Margaret Barford 01495 785530
(WING)   Wildlife in Newport Group - Roger James 01633 215627

FRIENDS OF SILENT VALLEY

This group also runs occasional work days at the local Nature Reserve. For further details, please contact the Trust Office on 01600 740600


Gwent Wildlife Trust home page.