© Carymoor Environmental Trust 2010

Summer events 2010

Sat 12th June 10am - 2pm. Join us for a celebration of our blooming wild flora! We will be taking walks of the site to see what's in flower and who's feeding on it. Herbalist Shelly Staple will be on hand to talk about the uses of some of the 450 wild flower species in our stock garden, and there will be a range of family friendly activities going on in and around the centre. Light refreshments will be available.

Booking advisable. For more information or to book email Frances Stuart or phone 01963 350143.

Wed 16th June 10.30 - 3.30. The first of a series of 5 volunteering days being held across the county. This NHS funded project aims to encourage individuals who have experienced mental distress to get outdoors and join in with some practical volunteer tasks.

The day will offer a taste of some of the practical conservation activities undertaken at Carymoor and will be supported by our friendly and experienced staff. Information about other out volunteering opportunities and training will also be available on the day.

For directions to the centre see our 'Visit' page. Transport to the centre will also be available from Castle Cary station on request.

Booking Essential. Bring a packed lunch, robust footwear and clothing suitable for working outdoors. For more information, to book or to arrange transport email Julia Percy or phone her on 01963 350143.

Sat 17th July 10am - 9pm. If you're between 16 and 25 we need you! Come and join in our festival of volunteering with an opportunity to take part in a range of tasks including clay oven building, hay making and willow working. Your day of volunteering will be rewarded with an evening of feasting and live music!

Booking Essential. Bring a packed lunch, robust footwear and clothing suitable for working outdoors. For more information or to book email Sue Adams or phone her on 01458 836130.

Booking Essential. There is a small charge of £5 per family, from which a donation will be made to the RSPB. Bring a picnic lunch and clothing suitable for the outdoors. For more information or to book email Julia Percy or phone her on 01963 350143.

Every Tuesday in August 10am to 3.30pm. An opportunity to join in with our regular group of volunteers and help with the habitat restoration work taking place on this amazing reclaimed landfill site.

Booking Essential. Bring a packed lunch, robust footwear and clothing suitable for working outdoors. For more information or to book email Julia Percy or phone her on 01963 350143.

Every Wednesday in August 10.30 to 12.30. A school holiday club for children and their parents. Exciting mornings of walks, games and outdoor activities exploring the wildlife of Carymoor, with a different theme each week:

Wed 4 August: A Droplet Ripples….Who lives in or beside our ponds?

Wed 11 August: A Leaf Flutters….Where are the best places on site to experience the birdlife?

Wed 18 August: A Twig Snaps…..What mammals share the site with us?

Wed 25 August: A Blade of Grass Quivers…..How many different creatures are hiding in the long grass?

Booking essential as places are limited. The sessions are free but a small charge may be made to cover the cost of materials. Bring a snack and clothing suitable for the outdoors. For more information or to book email Julia Percy or phone her on 01963 350143.

Thursday 5 August: Butterfly Habitats - a walk around the site looking at the features developed and maintained to encourage butterflies. With 29 of the 57 British species recorded at Carymoor this is an area of our work that we justly proud of.

Thursday 12 August: Dragons and Damsels - a look at the wetland habitats of Carymoor that support not only invertebrates such as dragonflies and damsel flies but also amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Thursday 19 August: Benefiting Birds - Many of the habitats at Carymoor provide both food and shelter for a multitude of bird species. The walk will take in short grassland that is home to nesting skylarks, bird forage areas providing food for resident and over-wintering seed eaters such as the rare tree sparrow and hedgerows managed to a provide a wealth of autumnal berries.

Thursday 26 August: Life and Death in the Long Grass - a closer look at the wide variety of biodiversity supported by our meadow habitats. From grasshoppers and crickets that fall prey to the rare wasp spider to field voles that are hunted by our resident barn owls, this seemingly peaceful habitat is the scene of many a struggle for survival.

Booking essential as places are limited. Please bring appropriate footwear for walking over uneven ground. For more information or to book email Jules Cross or phone him on 01963 350143.

Saturday 25 September 10am to 2pm. A beginner's exploration of the weird and wonderful world of moths. We will be looking at which moths have arrived in our moth trap overnight, with a walk of the site to see which plants they will have been feeding from. There will also be a range of moth-themed family-friendly activities going on in and around the centre.

Light refreshments available Booking advisable. For more information or to book email Frances Stuart or phone 01963 350143.