‘Aren’t Birds Brilliant’

Sat 5 May

Join the Wokingham and Bracknell branch of the RSPB for a morning stroll around Dinton Pastures Country Park.

Meet in the main car park at Dinton Pastures

Time: 9am

Cost: Adults £1, accompanied children free (proceeds to RSPB)

Nature and Wildlife Photography at Dinton

Sat 5 May

Learn more about how your camera works and get some tips and ideas on improving your composition and technique. A mainly practical session suitable for all types of camera (including digital).Organised by Adult and Community Education, Bracknell and Wokingham College

9.30am to 3.30pm £26 (concessions £13)

For further information or to book a place please call Bracknell and Wokingham College on 0845 3303343. Code: DP1009

California May Festival

Sat 5 – Mon 7 May

Including teddy bear olympics, teddy catapult, and Maypole dancing

Contact: For more information call the California Dreaming café on 0118 973 5519

Dawn Chorus

Sun 6 May

Celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day by joining the Wokingham and Bracknell RSPB for an early morning stroll. Bring binoculars, sturdy shoes, and warm/waterproof clothing. Book a full English breakfast at the Tea Cosy Café on 0118 932 1071.

Main car park, Dinton Pastures Country Park 5am (Pre-booked breakfast served from 7.30am)  £1 (All proceeds to RSPB) Accompanied children free

Wokingham May Fayre

Mon 07 May

Fun for all ages in partnership with The Wokingham Lions. Discover the new “Hands-on-the- Arts” Pavilion on Elms Field filled with arts and crafts workshops and family-friendly demos. Wokingham Town Centre 10am - 5pm. Free

Walk the Blackwater Path Weekend

Sat 12 & Sun 13 May  

The Blackwater Valley Path runs along the borders of Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire. Join us for a special weekend walk along the Path’s 23 miles, from Rowhill Nature Reserve in Aldershot to Swallowfield. There will be leaders, refreshments, and check points en route and on both days return transport is provided to the starting point. If 23 miles is too much why not sign up for one day only – 13 miles are covered the first day, 10 miles the second.

Both days start at 10am. £5 for one day, £8 for both days.
Pre-booking essential. For more details and to book, call Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership on 01252 331353

Friends of Lavell’s Lake Bird Walks

Sun 13 May

Lavell’s Lake is rich in bird life, which is attracted to the reedbed, shallow scrapes and quiet surroundings. Two hides are available for viewing across the reserve.  Join the Friends of Lavell’s Lake for a walk around the Park.

Meet at Sandford Lane car park opposite the Black Swan Sailing Club.

9am – 12 noon (approx) Free to Friends of Lavell’s Lake members, suggested donation of £1 for non-members

Training Courses for Youth Group Leaders  Pond Dipping-Wed 16 May. Hunting for Minibeasts-Mon 21 May

Organised by the Countryside Service’s Education Rangers, these sessions aim to give leaders basic wildlife identification skills, knowledge of how to use study equipment, health and safety information, and lots of ideas of fun games and follow-up activities.

For both sessions:

Emmbrook Room, Dinton Pastures Country Park

6pm -7.30pm Free

Contact: Please book places in advance, email countryside@ wokingham. gov.uk or call 0118 934 2016

Junior Rangers Wildlife Watch

Sat 19 May Pond dipping

This is a monthly club for children aged 8-12 years who are interested in the environment. Activities are fun and enable children to discover more about their local wildlife and countryside. The group is run by a combination of parent leaders and rangers, and is affiliated to the Wildlife WATCH (the junior branch of the Wildlife Trust).

10am-12noon  Dinton Pastures Country Park £1.

For further information or to book a place please contact 0118 934 2016.

Circus Skills

Sun 27 May

Have you ever wanted to be in the circus? Come along to the Oojamaflip circus workshop and try your hand at all manner of circus skills. There will be plate spinning, diabolos, devil sticks, balancing, juggling and lots, lots more. Suitable for all ages, so come along and have a go; you might discover a secret talent!

Location will be sign-posted from main car park, Dinton Pastures. Sessions throughout the day. Free

Friends of Lavell’s Lake LNR Work Parties

Sun 27 May

Lavell’s Lake is rich in bird life and monthly practical tasks help to encourage even more birds and other wildlife to visit the site. Friends of Lavell’s Lake is a registered charity, (no rangers on these tasks).

Meet at Sandford Lane car park opposite Black Swan Sailing Club. 10am till lunchtime (refreshments provided at tea break!) Free

Pirates and Princess Crafts

Mon 28 May 07 – Fri 1 June

Shiver me timbers! Crafty sessions organised by the California Dreaming café. Come along any time during half term and make your own pirate hat or princess crown.

Drop in anytime. £2.50

For more information call the California Dreaming Café on 0118 973 5519

ClayMates Ceramics

Mon 28 May 07 – Fri 1 June

Get creative for Father’s Day and paint some wonderful gifts on a variety of pottery pieces just for dad.

Ceramic painting is also available throughout the holidays as usual, no need to book.

Time: Drop in anytime

Session fee £3 for an hour, plus the cost of your pottery

No need to book, just turn up, for more information contact Jo on 07966 929 517

Puppet Workshops

Wed 30 May

Come along to a creative workshop and make your very own movable puppet, with local artist and performer Jo Bryant. With just a little magic, you'll be amazed at how life-like your creations become when you use them in a puppet show at the end of the session.

Meet: Loddon Room at Dinton Pastures Country Park

Time:  10am-12noon and 1.30pm-3.30pm

Children under 8 must be accompanied. Children 8 and over can be unaccompanied, but adults are welcome to stay.

£5 per child. Please book in advance by emailing countryside@wokingham.gov.uk or calling 0118 934 2016

Discover Birds and Nests

Thurs 31 May

Join Countryside Service rangers for a session about birds and nests. Come along to find out some fantastic facts about our feathered friends and take part in a crafty bird activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Appropriate for children aged 5-11 years old. Free. 11am-12noon – Woodley Library, Headley Road. 2pm- 3pm Wokingham Library, Denmark Street. Please book in advance by calling Wokingham Library 0118 978 1368 or Woodley Library 0118 969 0304.

Lynn Yardley
Countryside Ranger (Education and Interpretation)
Wokingham Borough Council Countryside Service, Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst, Berkshire RG10 0TH
Tel: 0118 9342016, Fax 0118 9341987
Taking Care of Your Countryside