News

Happy New Year everyone - take a gentle walk in the New Year.
 

JANUARY 2010

Saturday 2nd January 11.00am
NEW YEAR BIRDING (Please book)
Get your New Year’s list off to a flying start in the company of one of our expert staff. Booking essential. CHARGE: £6 adults, £4 for concessions and £3 for children. There is a 50% discount on events for RSPB and Wildlife Explorer members. LEADER: RSPB (01797 320588). MEET: RSPB Visitor Centre, Dungeness Nature Reserve, Dungeness, Lydd (TR 068 185). DISTANCE: 2 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 2. NO DOGS

Saturday 2nd January 2.00pm
SAMPHIRE HOE NEW YEAR WINTER WARMER (Green Gang)
Join in a new years walk to discover history behind Samphire Hoe. Hot mulled apple juice will be provided. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Paul Holt, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 225649). MEET: Site Management Office, Samphire Hoe (Pay and Display car park), Dover (signposted off the A20 when driving from Dover to Folkestone) (TR 294 391). DISTANCE: 1.5 miles (1.5 hours). GRADE: 3

Sunday 3rd January
SCRUB CLEARING & SITE MAINTENANCE, HIGH MEADOW, DOVER
We will be cutting scrub, improving footpaths or other maintenance work on Dover’s newest Local Nature Reserve. LEADER: Paul Willmott, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07880 706991). MEET: 9.30am Folkestone, 9.40am Wingate Road, 10.00am Dover or 10.15am at the top of Noah’s Ark Road, opposite the Boys Grammar school, Dover (TR 303 417).

Sunday 3rd January 2.00pm
WALK IN THE NEW YEAR, FOLKESTONE
A gentle walk through the Lower Leas Coastal Park. An easy start after the Christmas excesses. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Philip Green, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07880 706993). MEET: On the Leas, opposite The Grand and Metropole Hotels. DISTANCE: 3 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 3

Sunday 3rd January 2.00pm WELLIES
FOLLOW THE SHINGLE TRAIL (Green Gang)
Take a gentle stroll to follow the Greatstone shingle trail and exploring the shingle, sand and mud! Bring wellies and wrap up warm. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Mark Tuson, Romney Marsh Countryside Project (01797 367934 or 07971 276698). MEET: Greatstone beach pay and display car park, opposite the Jolly Fisherman pub, Greatstone (TR 083 231). DISTANCE: 2 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 5 (beach)

Tuesday 5th January WELLIES
SCRUB CLEARING, GIBBIN’S BROOK, SELLINDGE
We will be clearing scrub from around the wet areas to conserve and enhance the orchids and other wildlife interest of this unusual site. Please bring wellies. LEADER: Leonie Seymour, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07939 569138). MEET: 9.30am Dover, 10.00am Folkestone, 10.05am Wood Avenue or 10.30am at the pond on Gibbin’s Brook, Brook Lane, off Swan Lane, Sellindge, near Hythe (TR 116 387).

Thursday 7th January
SCRUB CLEARING, AYCLIFFE, WESTERN HEIGHTS
Continuing to create the butterfly rides on the lower slopes of the Western Heights. We shall be having a bonfire to clear up the vegetation. LEADER: Paul Sampson, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07773 619121). MEET: 9.30am Folkestone, 9.40am Wingate Road, 10.00am Dover or 10.30am, outside 76 - 78 St. David's Avenue, Aycliffe, Dover (TR 305 402).

SHEPWAY STROLLS
Enjoy a walk to discover the lovely countryside of Shepway.

Saturday 9th January 11.00am
HAWKINGE COUNTRYSIDE WALK
A pleasant walk around Hawkinge. LEADER: Len Wilson, Shepway Footpaths Preservation Society (01303 893126). MEET: Cat and Custard Pot, Paddlesworth (TR 197 399). DISTANCE: 5 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 3

Saturday 9th January 2.00pm
EASTRY TO WORTH
Join us for a walk from Eastry, looking in Eastry Church then on to Worth and back. Children over 7 welcome. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Phil of Collyer's Companions (01304 241806). MEET: Eastry village car park, Eastry, near Sandwich (TR 306 549). DISTANCE: 4 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 3

Sunday 10th January
WILLOW CLEARING, CEMEX LAND, DUNGENESS
The Romney Marsh Countryside Project are working at a new site on Dungeness, starting the removal of willow scrub from an area owned by CEMEX in what we call the top of the Long Pits. The site is an SSSI and is scrubbing over and so the long term aim is to reduce the scrub. We will be adjacent to the road. There will be a bonfire and a great selection of cakes. LEADER: Owen Leyshon/Mark Tuson, Romney Marsh Countryside Project (01797 367934 or 07770 670316). MEET: 9.30am Dover, 9.50am Wood Avenue, 10.00am Folkestone, 10.15am Red Lion Hotel, Hythe, 10.30am Ocean Inn, Dymchurch, 10.40am Cinque Port Arms pub, New Romney or 11.00am on the junction of Kerton Road with Dungeness Road, Dungeness (TR 085 187).

Sunday 10th January 2.00pm TWENTY
ELHAM VALLEY WALK
An easy afternoon amble in the lovely Elham Valley to learn a little about winter trees. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Kirk Alexander, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07885 599182). MEET: Lyminge Library, Station Road, Lyminge, near Folkestone (TR 165 411). DISTANCE: 3 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 3

Wednesday 13th January
SCRUB CLEARING, AYCLIFFE, WESTERN HEIGHTS
Continuing to create the butterfly rides on the lower slopes of the Western Heights. We shall be having a bonfire to clear up the vegetation. LEADER: Melanie Wrigley, WCCP (07880 706990). MEET: 9.30am Folkestone, 9.40am Wingate Road, 10.00am Dover or 10.30am, outside 76 -78 St. David's Avenue, Aycliffe, Dover (TR 305 402).

Thursday 14th January
SCRUB CLEARING, FOLKESTONE WARREN
Clearing scrub from an area in the Folkestone Warren. LEADER: Phil Green, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07880 706993). MEET: 9.30am Dover, 10.00am Folkestone, 10.05am Wingate Road or 10.15am at the Pavilion car park, Wear Bay Road, Folkestone (TR 239 364). Then driving off into the Warren.

Friday 15th January
SCRUB CLEAR, SOUTH FORELAND VALLEY, ST MARGARET’S-AT-CLIFFE
We will be helping local volunteers to continue clearing scrub from this important chalk grassland Site of Special Scientific Interest. We will also be working on improving footpaths this winter. LEADER: Paul Willmott, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07880 706991) MEET: 9.30am Folkestone, 9.40am Wood Avenue, 10.00am Dover, 10.15am Outside Pines Gardens or 10.20am Water trough, Goodwin Road, St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe (TR 363 438).

WINTER WALKS
Take a gentle winter’s walk in the countryside.

Saturday 16th January 2.00pm
ASH AMBLE 3
Through fields and orchards to Paramour Street, returning past Great Knell Farm to Weddington and Ash. Please bring water. Children over 7 welcome. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Bernadette of Collyer's Companions (01304 241806). MEET: Village Hall car park, Queen's Road, Ash (TR 288 584). DISTANCE: 4.5 miles (2.5 hours). GRADE: 3

Sunday 17th January
HEDGE CUTTING, SLADDEN FARM
We will be cutting back Louisa's hedge on the drive leading to the farm. We will also be having a BBQ kindly provided by Di Smith. LEADER: Paul Sampson and Melanie Wrigley, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07773 619121). MEET: 9.30am Folkestone, 9.40am Wingate Road, 10.00am Dover or 10.30am Sladden Farm, Alkham Valley Road, Dover (TR 260 428).

Sunday 17th January 11.00am
WINTER WILDFOWL GUIDED WALK (Please book)
Dungeness is an excellent place to see wildfowl in the winter months. Booking essential. CHARGE: £6 adults, £4 for concessions and £3 for children. There is a 50% discount on events for RSPB and Wildlife Explorer members. LEADER: RSPB (01797 320588). MEET: RSPB Visitor Centre, Dungeness Nature Reserve, Dungeness, Lydd (TR 068 185). DISTANCE: 2 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 2. NO DOGS

Sunday 17th January 2.00pm TWENTY
ROYAL MILITARY CANAL
A gentle stroll along the Royal Military Canal to Palmarsh from the other direction. This is an opportunity to discover some of the canal’s wildlife and the terrain is flat and should be fine for easy walking. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Owen Leyshon, Romney Marsh Countryside Project (01797 367934). MEET: Car park, bottom of Lympne Hill, West Hythe (TR 125 344). DISTANCE: 2 miles (2.5 hours). GRADE: 2

Wednesday 20th January
VEGETATION CLEARING, NEW ROMNEY WARREN
We will be cutting back vegetation and repairing fencing to allow animals to graze the site in order to maintain the wildlife interest. LEADER: Mark Tuson, Romney Marsh Countryside Project (01797 367934 or 07971 276698). MEET: 9.30am Dover, 9.50am Wood Avenue, 10.00am Folkestone, 10.15am Red Lion Hotel, Hythe, 10.30am Ocean Inn, Dymchurch or 10.45am at New Romney Warren car park, off the St Mary’s Bay to New Romney road (A259) (TR 078 261).

Thursday 21st January
SCRUB CLEARING, WHINLESS DOWNS
Scrub clearing in this wonderful nature reserve. We shall be having a bonfire to clear the vegetation. LEADER: Paul Sampson, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07773 619121). MEET: 9.30am Folkestone, 9.40am Wingate Road, 10.00am Dover or 10.30am Elms Vale Recreation Ground car park, Elms Vale Road, off Folkestone Road, Dover (TR 298 414).

DOWNLAND WALKS
Walking in the countryside with spectacular views.

Saturday 23rd January 2.00pm
BARFRESTONE TO FREDVILLE
A pleasant winter walk through woods and parkland with pleasant views. Children over 7 welcome. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Diane of Collyer's Companions (01304 241806). MEET: Road below Barfrestone Church (TR 264 562). DISTANCE: 2 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 3. Dogs on leads.

Sunday 24th January
SCRUB CLEARING, FOLKESTONE DOWNS
Clearing scrub from along the 'tank trap' path on Round Hill. LEADER: Phil Green, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07880 706993). MEET: 9.30am Dover, 10.00am Folkestone, 10.05am Wingate Road or 10.15am at the start of Crete Road West, Folkestone (TR 221 384). Then driving along the road nearer to the work site.
 

Sunday 24th January 11.00am
BITTERN SAFARI (Please book)
Please see 8th November for details.

Sunday 24th January 2.00pm TWENTY
WINTER ON WHINLESS
Enjoy a mid-winter walk around Whinless Downs taking in the spectacular views and looking for signs of wildlife. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Paul Sampson, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07773 619121). MEET: Elms Vale Recreation Ground car park, Elms Vale Road, off Folkestone Road, Dover (TR 298 414). DISTANCE: 3 miles (1.5 hours). GRADE: 4

Wednesday 27th January
SCRUB CLEARING & SITE MAINTENANCE, HIGH MEADOW, DOVER
We will be cutting scrub, improving footpaths or other maintenance work on Dover’s newest Local Nature Reserve. LEADER: Paul Willmott, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07880 706991). MEET: 9.30am Folkestone, 9.40am Wingate Road, 10.00am Dover or 10.15am at the top of Noah’s Ark Road, opposite the Boys Grammar school, Dover (TR 303 417).
Thursday 28th January
WILLOW CLEARING, CEMEX LAND, DUNGENESS
The Romney Marsh Countryside Project are working at a new site on Dungeness, starting the removal of willow scrub from an area owned by CEMEX in what we call the top of the Long Pits. The site is an SSSI and is scrubbing over and so the long term aim is to reduce the scrub. We will carry on the work which was started by contractors last winter and it will be adjacent to the road. There will be a bonfire and a great selection of cakes. LEADER: Owen Leyshon/Mark Tuson, Romney Marsh Countryside Project (01797 367934 or 07770 670316). MEET: 9.30am Dover, 9.50am Wood Avenue, 10.00am Folkestone, 10.15am Red Lion Hotel, Hythe, 10.30am Ocean Inn, Dymchurch, 10.40am Cinque Port Arms pub, New Romney or 11.00am on the junction of Kerton Road with Dungeness Road, Dungeness (TR 085 187).

Friday 29th January
SCRUB CLEARING, HILL’S RESERVOIR, FOLKESTONE
We will be clearing scrub from around the reservoir to protect and enhance the wildlife of the chalk grassland which is rich in orchids and insects. LEADER: Leonie Seymour, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07939 569138). MEET: 9.30am Dover, 10.00am Folkestone, 10.05am Wood Avenue or 10.15am at Hills Reservoir (top of Castle Hill), Crete Road West, Folkestone (TR 213 382).

HERITAGE WALKS
Discover some of the historic buildings of White Cliffs Country with magnificent winter views.

Saturday 30th January 2.00pm
COLDRED TO WALDERSHARE
Join our winter walk through Waldershare Park. We will see some interesting buildings along the way. Children over 7 welcome. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Diane of Collyer's Companions (01304 241806). MEET: Singledge Lane opposite Coldred Church (TR 274 476). DISTANCE: 4 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 3

Sunday 31st January
HELPING THE HOE, SAMPHIRE HOE, DOVER
There is always plenty to do at the Hoe, it could include erosion control, bramble and sea buckthorn cutting or a beach clean. LEADER: Paul Holt, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 225649). MEET: 9.30am Folkestone, 9.40am Wingate Road, 10.00am Dover or 10.15am at the site management office Samphire Hoe, Dover (sign posted off the A20 when driving from Dover to Folkestone) (TR 294 391). Park in the back car park and collect a parking permit from the office.

Sunday 31st January 2.00pm TWENTY
MIGRATION, MAMMOTHS & MEGAFLOOD
Join a walk with spectacular views over the English Channel. Hear about woolly mammoths and find out how the English Channel was formed and how it affected plant and animal migration. Find the answers to the quiz as we go. We will be going near the cliff edge on part of the walk. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Melanie Wrigley, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07880 706990). MEET: St. Martin's Battery car park, South Military Road, Western Heights, Dover (TR 314 407). DISTANCE: 3.5 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 4