Wokingham

Aren’t Birds Brilliant RSPB Walk

Sat 2 June

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

Meet: main car park, Dinton Pastures

Time: 9am

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

Keephatch Work Party

Sat 2 June

Ranger-led practical task in mature woodland

Meet: by pond Willowherb Close, Keephatch, Wokingham

Time: 10am-1pm

Cost: Free

Heathland Creatures - Serpents and Slow Worms

Sun 3 June

Join a Countryside Service ranger-led walk around California Country Park exploring and discovering the array of heathland reptiles, arachnids, insects, and other wildlife. (Sorry no dogs, or children under 5)

Meet: main car park, California Country Park

Time: 2pm-4pm

Cost: Free

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

Friends of Lavell’s Lake Bird Walk

Sun 10 June

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

Time: 9am-12 noon (approx)

Cost: Free to Friends of Lavell’s Lake members; suggested donation of £1 for non-members

Junior Rangers Wildlife Watch Group - Bat Walk

Fri 15 June

Monthly club for children aged 8-12, who are interested in the environment. The group is run by a combination of parent leaders and rangers, and is affiliated with Wildlife WATCH (the junior branch of the Wildlife Trust).

An evening walk and barbecue - the Countryside Service will provide the barbecue, but bring your own food. Afterwards, join us on a twilight walk looking for bats, moths, and glow worms. Bring a torch and dress appropriately. Family members welcome; children must be accompanied. Please note: no toilets on site.

Meet: California Country Park

Time: 7.30pm-10.30pm 

Cost: Free

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

Glow Worms - Ranger-led Walk

Sat 16 June  

In the dark about glow worms? Illuminate your knowledge of these fascinating insects during a Countryside Service ranger-led walk. Suitable for ages 8+ Children must be accompanied by an adult. Wear sturdy shoes and suitable clothing.

Meet: main car park, California Country Park

Time: 9.30pm-11pm

Cost: Free

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

Identifying Minibeasts (BBOWT course)

Sat 16 June

Trainers: Des Sussex (Natural England) & Martin Woolner (BBOWT)

Minibeasts are invertebrates, of which spiders, beetles, and bees are just a few! Come along to this course for beginners, which will include a general introduction to minibeasts with a focus on dragonflies, grasshoppers, butterflies and moths, and woodlice. We will cover basic identification and ecology, and you will get the chance to hunt for these 'creepy-crawlies' in an afternoon outdoor session in the fantastic wildflower habitats of Shepherd Meadows. 

Meet: Sandhurst Community Centre, Sandhurst, Berks

Time: 10am-4pm

Cost: Free. £10 refundable deposit cheque (payable to BBOWT). 

To book, call 01865 788 309 or email lindsaywatts@ bbowt.org. uk. Deposit cheques should be sent to: BBOWT Course Bookings, Freepost OF2051, Oxford, OX4 4BR

Dog Agility

Sun 17 June

Come along to watch members of the local Lands End Agility Dogs test their accuracy and speed through a series of obstacles. Afterwards there will be an open class for the public, to see if you and your dog can make it over the jumps, tunnels, and weaves!

Meet: location will be sign-posted from main car park, Dinton Pastures 

Time: 3pm

Cost: Free

For more information email countryside@ wokingham. gov.uk or call 0118 934 2016

Friends of Lavell’s Lake Work Party

Sun 24 June

Lavell’s Lake is rich in bird life and monthly practical tasks help to encourage even more birds and other wildlife to visit. 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

Time: 10am till lunchtime (refreshments provided at tea break!)

Cost: Free

Bat Watch - Guided Walk

Tues 26 June

Look out for Britain's largest bats, the noctule, as they emerge from the woods on this short walk around Holt Copse. Bat enthusiast, Colin Melhuish from Holt Copse Conservation Volunteers will be your guide for this bat bonanza! Children welcome over 8yrs of age, accompanied by an adult.

Meet: Holt Lane, Wokingham

Time: 8.45pm - 10pm (approx)

Cost: Free

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

Loddon Link Guided Walk

Thurs 28 June

If you want to discover some of the countryside found on the Hampshire- Berkshire border, this is one walk you won't want to miss. The route, covering about  7 miles, will introduce you to the area found at the lower reaches of the River Blackwater, around Arborfield, and will pass through open farmland and the woods at Farley Hill.
Meet: at the car park nr Bull pub in Arborfield

Time: 10am-1pm

For more details contact Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership on 01252 331 353

Theatre in the Park - The Merry Wives of Henry VIII

Sun 30 June

The Countryside Service is pleased to welcome back the Distraction Theatre Company with their brand new comedy The Merry Wives of Henry VIII. Set in the Tudor court of King Henry VIII, the esteemed and powerful monarch is on the search for love... and a woman who can give him an heir. Watch the six Mrs Tudors struggle to keep their position (and their heads), as they rival for Henry's attention to remain Queen of England. Come along to see history re-written with Distraction' s distinctive comedy flavour and bawdy and unique slapstick timing.

Place: California Country Park

Time: 8pm

Cost: £10 adult, £8 group bookings of 6 or more, £7 under 16s and students

Please book tickets in advance by emailing countryside@ wokingham. gov.uk or calling 0118 934 2016

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