As spring starts to emerge and we get glimpses of the finer weather to come, the ranger team at South Somerset District Council are finalising preparations for a busy year of events at the South Somerset countryside sites.
From Easter egg hunts to halloween trails; teddy bears picnics to adventurous challenge days; this year’s events will deliver a varied programme for all ages in 2016.
Becky Russell, Community Ranger said, “There are lots of exciting and different activities on our programme this year, including the Yeovil Yaffle missions; adventurous activities for children funded by the Armed Forces Community Covenant Fund that aim to offer engaging and more challenging outdoor adventures for older children to get them exploring our great greenspace at Yeovil Country Park. I will also be running a whole range of sessions focusing on the theme of marvellous meadows; these will include species identification sessions, bee and butterfly craft sessions and discovery bug hunting sessions for our younger visitors. It is certainly going to be busy and I really think there will be something to appeal to everyone”.
In addition to one off events, Becky will be working with professional leaders to arrange a series of workshops in photography and wood carving. If you would like to develop your skills in these areas then keep an eye out for the dates of the courses.
At Ham Hill Country Park, Ranger’s Jon and Paul are delivering their ever popular bushcraft skills and den building sessions throughout the school holidays and hope to welcome plenty of people to the September wood fair.
Ranger Paul McNeill said, “This summer we hope to be embarking on an exciting project to create a stream in Witcombe Valley, along the original route of the stream that supported the now deserted Medieval village. There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved in the project including hands on archaeological activities and a medieval celebration day in the autumn when the project is finished”.
Councillor Sylvia Seal, Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Culture added, “This year’s event programme is more diverse than ever before, with significant grant investment from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Grants for the Arts and the Armed Forces Community Covenant Fund.
“The ranger team have been able to develop a series of events that cover a huge range of subjects and will appeal to many people. We look forward to welcoming many people to the sites this year starting this Easter holidays at Ham Hill with the popular Easter Egg Hunt on 29th March and at Yeovil for the popular trail event on Tuesday 5th April”.
For bookings and details of all events, please visit http://www.southsomersetcountryside.com and keep an eye on Facebook feeds for South Somerset District Council, Yeovil Country Park, Ham Hill Country Park and Chard Reservoir LNR for details of new events as they are released.
bloomingyeovil 