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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.
Courses, which need booking, are
marked in blue. Courses with (F) are suitable for
families, (D) are suitable for those in
wheelchairs.
Alphabetical list of the location of each course
Download the whole
events list
July 2008
Managing your Land for Wildlife
Tutor: Gemma Bodé – Gwent Wildlife Trust Whether you own
a small garden, a farm or a country estate, this course
will help you to understand why managing your site for
wildlife is worthwhile and how to go about it. Gemma
Bodé, the Trust’s Conservation Manager has many years
experience of managing sites large and small and is a
favourite course leader. The course will include a walk
around Pentwyn Farm Nature Reserve to look at how the
Gwent Wildlife Trust manages its own land for wildlife.
Tuesday, 1st July 10am – 2.30pm (please arrive for
9.45am) Pentwyn Farm, near Monmouth Cost: £15 members,
£20 non-members Booking essential.
We have
several events as part of Chepstow Festival:
Tuesday 1
July at 6.30pm there is a guided walk "People and
Wildlife" around Mathern. Meet under the motorway
bridge near the Millers Arms PH. Free to attend but no
dogs allowed. Walk is about 3 miles, including some
stiles and visits the churchyard, the reens, foreshore,
fishing ponds and lakes. We will discuss the impact of
people on wildlife and the environment. All walkers
participate at their own risk.
Sunday 6
July 11.30am to 4.00pm at The Drill Hall, Chepstow
"Local Conservation in Action", an exhibition with fun
family activities concentrating on the unique Gwent
Levels, their beauty, wildlife, conservation and current
threats. In association with CALM. Free admission.
Refreshments.
Sunday 6
July 4.00 to 5.30pm at the Drill Hall. Family
Wildlife Quiz. Test your Wildlife knowledge. Prizes
to be won! £5 per family team - 2 adults and up to 4
children (under 16).
Charcoal Drawing Tutor: Emma
Price – Lecturer for Coleg Gwent. The Trust makes its
own charcoal using wood from coppice work undertaken for
dormouse conservation. Students will receive guidance to
develop drawings and techniques. Sketches will be used
to produce a charcoal image; the location will provide a
place of inspiration. Throughout the day, students will
have the chance to observe and understand the terrain of
this fascinating landscape whilst producing creative
art. Saturday 5th July 10am – 4pm Silent Valley, near
Ebbw Vale Cost: £17 members, £25 non-members Booking
essential.
Introduction to Dormice Tutor:
Jan Kinchington – Gwent Wildlife Trust If all wildlife
was as cute as dormice, the Trust would have 20,000
members and everyone would want to work in
conservation!! Here’s a chance to meet these elusive
mammals and gain an insight into how they live and the
work the Trust does to help them out. Sunday 6th July
9.30am – 11.30am Croes Robert (Cwmcarvan), near Monmouth
Cost: £3 members, £6 non-members Booking essential
LIMITED PLACES
WING - Allt-yr-Yn – Meadow Survey &
Management Plan Review Sunday 6th July For more
information, contact Roger James on 01633 215627
The Identification and Ecology of
Dragonflies and Damselflies Tutor: Ian D Smith This
in-depth, weekend course, led by well known local
ecologist, Ian Smith, will concentrate on the species
found in England and Wales using site visits to various
nearby habitats in South Wales. The weekend course
covers capture, observation, and release techniques,
together with diversity and protective legislation,
surveying, and monitoring. Includes lunches and an
evening meal Saturday 12th July and Sunday 13th July – Magor Marsh, near Newport Cost: £85 members, £95
non-members. Booking essential.
See full details and a
programme.
Magor Marsh Open Day This is
our annual celebration of GWT’s oldest nature reserve.
There will be something for the whole family to enjoy
from discovery trails to craft activities and birds to
bugs. As well as displays of the Trust’s own work, many
other local groups and organisations take part in what
has become a major community event. Saturday 19th July
2pm – 5pm (F, D) Magor Marsh, near Newport Cost: £2 per
adult £1 per child or £5 per family. No need to book
Nature Detectives Leader: Colin
Titcombe – Local expert Do you know how to tell a badger
footprint from a dog’s? Do you know how to find out if
dormice have been visiting your local wood? How about
telling your crows from your rooks? If you want to be a
real nature detective, these are the sort of skills you
need so why not join Colin Titcombe for some detective
training and find out how its done? A great experience
for families! Tuesday 29th July 10am – 1pm Pentwyn Farm
(Monmouth), aimed at the over 10s Cost: £4 adults, £2
children (F) Booking essential
Childrens’ ‘Discovering Dragons’
dragonfly event at Llandegfedd Reservoir Torfaen
Local Group in association with Welsh Water Thursday
31st July 11m – 1pm (F) Glascoed car park at the
northern end of Llandegfedd Reservoir (SO 332006) For
more information, contact the Torfaen Local Group on
01495 769281 Booking essential
August 2008
Nature Detectives Leader: Colin
Titcombe – Local expert Do you know how to tell a badger
footprint from a dog’s? Do you know how to find out if
dormice have been visiting your local wood? How about
telling your crows from your rooks? If you want to be a
real nature detective, these are the sort of skills you
need so why not join Colin Titcombe for some detective
training and find out how its done? A great experience
for families! Tuesday 5th August 10am – 12pm Magor Marsh
(Newport), aimed at the under 10s Cost: £4 adults, £2
children (F) Booking essential
Introducing Dragonflies and
Damselflies and their Identification Tutor: Ian D Smith An introductory
course for dragonfly novices who would like to get to
grips with their Emperors and Darters! This course will
look at the wide variety of species found around Ebbw
Vale. This upland area is particularly rich in varied
habitats resulting from past industrial influences.
Thursday 7th August 10am – 4.30pm Parc Bryn Bach and
surrounding area, near Ebbw Vale Cost: £25 members, £40
non-members Booking essential.
See full details and a
programme.
Gwent Wildlife Trust Open Day
(including Open Gardens at Dingestow Court) Every
two years the Trust opens its doors for people to come
and see where we work and learn about the work we do.
You can meet the staff too! We are very fortunate
because the Trust office is located within the
magnificent grounds of Dingestow Court. Visitors will be
able to take a signposted tour around the gardens and
there will be plenty of activities for the children too.
Refreshments will be available. Friday 8th August 11am –
4pm (F) Dingestow Court, near Monmouth Cost: Free but
donations welcome! No need to book
Bird Ringing Demonstration
Tutor: Ian Vaughan – Ecologist How do we know where
birds go in the winter? How do we know how long they
live and how many of this year’s chicks will live
through the winter to breed next year? The answer is
through bird ringing: catching birds, placing a small
metal ring with a unique number on their legs. In this
practical demonstration, you will see how we catch the
birds and ring them. Seeing birds this close is very
special so don’t miss out and book early. Tuesday 12th
August 8am – 12pm (F) Magor Marsh, near Newport Cost: £3
members, £6 non-members Booking essential
Bat walk along the canal
Torfaen Local Group in with Torfaen County Borough
Council Friday 15th August 8pm – 9pm Pontymoile canal
basin (SO 291953) (F) For more information, contact the
Torfaen Local Group on 01633 648066 Booking essential
Silent Valley Open Day Come and
enjoy a day on the reserve with guided walks, charcoal
making, sheep dog demonstration, pyrography, birdbox
making, and much more. Saturday 16th August 10am – 4pm
(F, D) Silent Valley, near Ebbw Vale Cost: 50p for all.
No need to book
Nature Detectives Leader: Colin
Titcombe – Chief Wildlife Detective! Do you know how to
tell a badger footprint from a dog’s? Do you know how to
find out if dormice have been visiting your local wood?
How about telling your crows from your rooks? If you
want to be a real nature detective, these are the sort
of skills you need so why not join Colin Titcombe for
some detective training and find out how it’s done? A
great experience for families! Tuesday 19th August 10am
– 1pm Silent Valley (Ebbw Vale), aimed at over 10s Cost:
£4 adults, £2 children (F) Booking essential
Surveying for Dormice Tutor:
Jan Kinchington – Gwent Wildlife Trust A brief
introduction to dormouse ecology and their conservation
needs, legal protection, where to find them and what
signs to look for. A walk around Croes Robert looking at
habitat, woodland management and signs of dormice.
Saturday 23rd August 9.30am – 1pm Pentwyn Farm and Croes
Robert, near Monmouth Cost: £10 members, £16 non-members
Booking essential
September 2008
Nature Detectives Leader: Colin
Titcombe – Local expert Do you know how to tell a badger
footprint from a dog’s? Do you know how to find out if
dormice have been visiting your local wood? How about
telling your crows from your rooks? If you want to be a
real nature detective, these are the sort of skills you
need so why not join Colin Titcombe for some detective
training and find out how its done? A great experience
for families! Tuesday 2nd September 10am – 1pm
Springdale (Usk), aimed at adults Cost: £4 adults, £2
children (F) Booking essential
Introduction to Dormice Tutor:
Jan Kinchington – Gwent Wildlife Trust If all wildlife
was as cute as dormice, the Trust would have 20,000
members and everyone would want to work in
conservation!! Here’s a chance to meet these elusive
mammals and gain an insight into how they live and the
work the Trust does to help them out. Sunday 7th
September 9.30am – 11.30am Croes Robert (Cwmcarvan),
near Monmouth Cost: £3 members, £6 non-members (F)
Booking essential
Dry Stone Walling Tutor: Terry
Mead has taught Dry Stone Walling for over 25 years. A
practical course in the ancient art of dry stone
walling. This course is suitable for beginners and
teaching the basic principles of a skill that you could
use in your garden or to take part in practical work
parties with a wide variety of conservation
organisations. This is always one of our most popular
course so early booking recommended. Wednesday 17th
September 9.30 – 4.30pm Pentwyn Farm, near Monmouth
Cost: £25 members, £40 non-members Booking essential
Wyndcliff Walk Leader: George
Peterken George has an intimate knowledge of the lower
Wye Valley and his his book on the area was published in
2008 as part of the world-famous ‘New Naturalist’
series. Here’s an opportunity to accompany George for an
ecological and historical introduction to the beautiful
woodlands of the lower Wye Valley, identifying tree and
shrub species together with looking at different
habitats and their management. Feel free to bring your
own copy of George’s book along to be signed. Saturday
27th September 11am – 4pm Lower Wye Valley – Tintern and
Chepstow Cost: £3 members, £6 non-members Booking
essential
Fungi Foray Tutor: Elsa Wood
Britain has a great climate (for now at least!) for
mushrooms and toadstools to flourish. Elsa has 40 years
experience of finding and identifying them so come and
join her on this informal walk, learning about,
collecting, and identifying woodland fungi along the
way. Sunday 28th September 2pm – 4.30pm Wentwood, near
Usk Cost: £5 members, £10 non-members (F) Booking
essential
October 2008
Fascinating Fungi – a course for
beginners Tutor: Shelia Spence This course is aimed
at the beginner who would like to learn about this
fascinating group in more detail. The day will start
with an indoor tutorial then it’s off to the woods for a
hands-on experience in the local woods hunting down
specimens, and examining them in detail, learning the
basics of species identification. Saturday 4th October
10am – 4pm Dingestow village hall, near Monmouth Cost:
£15 members, £20 non-members Booking essential
Introduction to Dormice Tutor:
Jan Kinchington – Gwent Wildlife Trust If all wildlife
was as cute as dormice, the Trust would have 20,000
members and everyone would want to work in
conservation!! Here’s a chance to meet these elusive
mammals and gain an insight into how they live and the
work the Trust does to help them out. Sunday 12th
October 9.30am 11.30am Croes Robert (Cwmcarvan), near
Monmouth Cost: £3 members, £6 non-members (F) Booking
essential
‘Wildlife Tracking’ family event at
Llandegfedd Reservoir Torfaen Local Group in
association with Welsh Water Sunday 12th October (F)
Glascoed car park at the northern end of Llandegfedd
Reservoir (SO 332006) For more information, contact the
Torfaen Local Group on 01495 769281 Booking essential
Introduction to Bird Ringing
Tutors: Stephanie Tyler, Bob Medland, and Denis Jackson:
Licensed Bird Ringers. How do we know where birds go in
the winter? How do we know how long they live and how
many of this year’s chicks will live through the winter
to breed next year? The answer is through bird ringing:
catching birds, placing a small metal ring with a unique
number on their legs. The morning will start with a
short indoor presentation followed by a practical
demonstration. You will see how we catch the birds and
ring them. Seeing birds this close is very special so
don’t miss out and book early. Saturday 18th October
9.30am – 1pm (F) Seddon House, Dingestow Court, near
Monmouth Cost: £3 members, £6 non-members Booking
essential
Caring for Apple trees Tutor:
David Leat – Horticulturist A look at the historical
development of growing apples through a selection of
varieties and cultivars and the cultural techniques
required to produce fruit. Propagation and orchard
management will also be discussed. There will be an
opportunity to visit the small orchard planted in 1999
to see and taste this season’s crop. Tuesday 21st
October 10am – 1pm Pentwyn Farm, near Monmouth Cost: £18
members, £25 non-members Booking essential
Autumn family fun at Magor Marsh
Leaders: Helen John and GWT staff Why do we feed the
birds? How should we do it? What should we feed and
when? All these questions and more will be answered
during this celebration of the season of mists and
mellow fruitfulness! Saturday 25th October 10am – 12pm
Magor Marsh, near Newport (F, D) Cost: £1 per child. No
need to book
‘Autumn Secrets’ childrens’
wildlife event at Llandegfedd Reservoir Torfaen
Local Group in association with Welsh Water Tuesday 28th
October 11am Glascoed car park at the northern end of
Llandegfedd Reservoir (SO 332006) (F) For more
information, contact the Torfaen Local Group on 01495
769281 Booking essential
Hedgelaying Tutor: Kevin
Williams A well managed hedge, is great for wildlife
including dormice and many birds but alas, the
traditional skills required are rapidly dying out. On
this practical introduction to hedgelaying you will
learn just how important hedges are for wildlife and
will be instructed in the correct methods and use of
hand tools used to lay a hedge in the local style. The
course is suitable for those who are just curious
through to people who want to join volunteer work
parties on wildlife reserves. This course is usually
oversubscribed and early booking is recommended. Friday
31st October 10am – 4.30pm Pentwyn Farm, near Monmouth
Cost: £22 members, £30 non-members Booking essential
November 2008
Birds in winter at Llandegfedd
Reservoir Torfaen Local Group in association with
Welsh Water Sunday 9th November 10am Glascoed car park
at the northern end of Llandegfedd Reservoir (SO 332006)
For more information, contact the Torfaen Local Group on
01495 769281 Booking essential
Wood Turning and Construction of a
Shave Horse Tutor: Thom Board – Gwent Wildlife Trust
Green Woodworking is an ancient skill that’s still
relevant today. This course offers an introduction to
making useable items such as breadboards, tool handles,
and many others, from freshly felled wood. You will
learn how to split and carve wood by hand and to make
and use a shavehorse. You will also learn how to make a
range of useful wood-carving tools. Wednesday 19th
November 10am – 3pm Springdale Farm, near Usk Cost: £20
members, £30 non-members Booking essential
December 2008
Winter Tree Identification
Tutors: Roger James and David Parsons Many of us can
tell the difference between a beech and an oak in the
summer and we can usually identify a few other trees too
In the winter though, it’s a different story and a
different set of skills in winter though. Participants
in this course will spend the day learning to identify
trees without their leaves by looking at shape,
structure, bark and other signs. You’ll soon be
impressing your friends with your new-found knowledge.
Saturday 6th December 10am – 1pm Springdale, near Usk
Cost: £5 members, £10 non-members Booking essential
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 - Bill Jones
01495 216728
(C) Chepstow Group - Hilary Lee 01291
689326
(FOSV) Friends of Silent Valley -
Trust Office 01600 740358
(GWT) GWT Office - 01600 740358
(M) Monmouth Group - Caroline Tobin
01594 825095
(MMWC) Magor Marsh Watch Club - Nic
Hutchinson 01291 421568
(T) Torfaen Group - Vicky Coghlan
01495 759139
coghlanrees@aol.com
(U) Usk Group - Margaret Barford
01495 785530
(WING) Wildlife in Newport Group -
Roger James 01633 21562
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
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