News

Dormouse search in Hawkinge and cycling on the Marsh are just two of this month's events.

Tuesday 2nd March 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).

Wednesday 3rd March
HEDGELAYING, SHEPHERDSWELL
This is a great opportunity for local landowners and any other interested people to come along and learn about this hedgerow management technique. You will find out about pleachers and bindings and you will use tools such as billhooks and slashers. Sponsored by Shepherdswell with Coldred Parish Council. LEADER: Steve Walker, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07899 758748). MEET: 9.30am Folkestone, 9.40am Wingate Road, 10.00am Dover or 10.30am at Meadow View Road, Shepherdswell (TR 262 486).

Thursday 4th March
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).

VOLUNTEER WEEKEND
Come along and join with French volunteers working with us to conserve the countryside.

Saturday 6th March
SCRUB CLEARING, DOLL’S HOUSE HILL, FOLKESTONE
The French volunteers will be joining us today to clear scrub from one of our newest sites, Doll’s House Hill. LEADER: Kirk Alexander, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07885 599182). 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).

Saturday 6th March 2.00pm
NORTHOURNE TO GREAT MONGEHAM
Join our friendly group on a circular walk from Great Mongeham to Ripple Church. Children over 7 welcome. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Diane of Collyer's Companions (01304 241806). MEET: Mongeham Village Hall, Mongeham Road, Great Mongeham (TR 354 518). DISTANCE: 4 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 3

Sunday 7th March
SCRUB CLEARING, DOLL’S HOUSE HILL, FOLKESTONE
The French volunteers will be joining us today to clear scrub from one of our newest sites, Doll’s House Hill. LEADER: Kirk Alexander, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07885 599182). 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).
 

Sunday 7th March 2.00pm

CYCLE RIDE: FUN, FAMILY BIKE RIDE
The first ride around the Marsh of the year. Children over 9 with accompanying adult welcome. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Owen Leyshon, Romney Marsh Countryside Project (01797 367934 or 07770 670316). MEET: West Street car park (opposite the Cinque Ports Arms pub), New Romney. DISTANCE: 12 miles (2.5 hours).
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Sunday 7th March 2.00pm TWENTY

SOUTH FORELAND VALLEY WALK
Walking around South Foreland Valley, explaining why it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. We'll also take a look at the conservation management needed to keep this site valuable for wildlife. We'll then finish with a loop down to the Bay and back to the village. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Josie Newman, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07789 778276). MEET: St. Margaret's Village car park, Well Lane, St. Margaret's at Cliffe (TR 358 446). DISTANCE: 4 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 3

Tuesday 9th March
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, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 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).

Wednesday 10th March
CARING FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE AT HAWKINGE
We will be working to clear footpaths and scrub on wildlife sites in Hawkinge. We will also be looking for signs of dormice. LEADER: Steve Walker, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07899 758748). MEET: 9.30am Dover, 10.00am Folkestone, 10.05am Wingate Road or 10.15am outside the village hall Canterbury Road, Hawkinge, near Folkestone (TR 217 398).

Friday 12th March
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).

DOWNLAND WALKS
Explore the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty around Dover and Folkestone. (in a shaded box)
Saturday 13th March 2.00pm

LYDDEN WOODLAND WALK
Varied woodland and downland walk. There should have plenty of woodland plants to see. Some muddy patches likely with some steep slopes. Please bring water if warm weather. Children over 7 welcome. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Julia of Collyer's Companions (01304 241806). MEET: By the pond opposite Bell Inn, Lydden, near Dover (TR 282 454). DISTANCE: 4.5 miles (2.5 hours). GRADE: 3

Sunday 14th March
HELPING THE HOE, SAMPHIRE HOE, DOVER
There is always plenty to do a 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 14th March 2.00pm

TWENTY
THE GREEN ROUTE TO FOLKESTONE DOWNS
A walk along the green route to Folkestone Downs along the way we shall pass a Medieval hollow lane, a Sole and an ancient woodland before the countryside opens up to the spectacular downs view. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Steve Walker, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07899 758748). MEET: Village Hall, Canterbury Road, Hawkinge, Nr Folkestone (TR 216 398) Please park along Canterbury Road and not in the village hall car park. DISTANCE: 6 miles (3 hours). GRADE: 3

Wednesday 17th March
PATH WORK AND FENCE REPAIRS, NEW ROMNEY WARREN
We will be maintaining the paths and fencing to improve public access and allow animals to graze. 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 10.40am at New Romney Warren car park, off the St Mary’s Bay to New Romney road (A259) (TR 078 261).

Thursday 18th March
SCRUB CLEARING, AYCLIFFE, WESTERN HEIGHTS
Continuing to create a network of butterfly rides on the lower slopes of the Western Heights. We shall also be checking the footpaths and steps around the site. 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).

Friday 19th March
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).

SPRING EQUINOX
Join a walk around the spring equinox when there is an equal length of day and night. (in a shaded box)

Saturday 20th March 2.00pm
ASH TO MARSHBOROUGH WALK
A walk from Ash to Marshborough passing through the field where the Ringlemere gold cup was found. 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: 5.5 miles (3 hours). GRADE: 3

Sunday 21st March
MEADOW CUT & RAKING, CHERRY GARDEN, FOLKESTONE
The first of two tasks for our annual spring management of the meadow at our Folkestone office. One of the few flat sites we work on! LEADER: Phil Green, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07880 706993). MEET: 9.30am Dover, 10.00am Folkestone, 10.05am Wood Avenue or 10.15am at the bottom of Castle Hill, off M20 junction 13, Folkestone (TR 210 377). Then driving up to our office by the reservoirs.

Sunday 21st March 11.00am
BIRDWATCHING FOR BEGINNERS GUIDED WALK (Please book)
A guided walk especially aimed at those new to bird watching. Booking essential. CHARGE: £6 adults, £4 for concessions and £3 for children (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 21st March 2.00pm TWENTY
SPRING EQUINOX ON THE WESTERN HEIGHTS
Enjoy the spectacular views as we take a summit walk around the Western Heights looking at cloud formations and weather in the Channel. 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 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 3

Tuesday 23rd March
SCRUB & PATHS, HIGH MEADOW, DOVER
Pushing back dense scrub encroaching onto paths. 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 Noah’s Ark Road (opposite the Boys Grammar School), Tower Hamlets, Dover (TR 303 418).

Thursday 25th March
MEADOW CUT & RAKING, CHERRY GARDEN, FOLKESTONE
The second of two tasks for our annual spring management of the meadow at our Folkestone office. One of the few flat sites we work on! LEADER: Phil Green, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07880 706993). MEET: 9.30am Dover, 10.00am Folkestone, 10.05am Wood Avenue or 10.15am at the bottom of Castle Hill, off M20 junction 13, Folkestone (TR 210 377). Then driving up to our office by the reservoirs.

Friday 26th March
HELPING THE HOE, SAMPHIRE HOE DOVER
There is always plenty to do at the Hoe, it could include path clearing, beach clean or erosion control. LEADER: Steve Walker, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07899 758748). MEET: 9.30am Folkestone, 9.40am Wingate Road, 10.00am Dover or 10.15am at the Site Management Office, Samphire Hoe, Dover (signposted 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.

Friday 26th March 7.30pm
ILLUSTRATED TALK: WONDERS AND WILDLIFE OF NEW ZEALAND
An Illustrated talk on the birds, flowers and the varied landscapes of the islands by Jenny Jackson of KWT Folkestone, Hythe and Dover Group. CHARGE: £2.50 including refreshments. LEADER: Pauline Bateson, Kent Wildlife Trust (01304 853503). MEET: The Salvation Army Hall, Portland Road, Hythe, CT21 6EG.

SPRING INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE
Join a walk in search of early spring flowers.

Saturday 27th March 2.00pm
ADISHAM CHURCH TO WOODS
We will be walking from Adisham Church across fields to the woods hoping to see wild flowers returning through the village. Children over 7 welcome. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Diane of Collyer's Companions (01304 241806). MEET: Pond Hill Triangle junction, Adisham (TR 228 543). DISTANCE: 4 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 3

Please note that the clocks go forward tonight.

Sunday 28th March
RIDE CREATION, WHINLESS DOWNS
Our last volunteer task of the winter at Whinless Down to complete this seasons scrub clearing. We shall also be checking the footpaths and steps around the site. 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).

Sunday 28th March 2.00pm
CYCLE RIDE: LYMINGE FOREST
An easy afternoon cycle ride to discover the cycle routes around Lyminge Forest. Children over 9 with accompanying adult welcome Donation appreciated. LEADER: Leonie Seymour, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07939 569138). MEET: Car park, West Wood, Lyminge Forest (TR 141 439). Driving along Stone Street B2068 towards Canterbury, turn right at Six Mile Garage and you will find the car park on your right hand side about 800 metres along the country lane. DISTANCE: 8 miles (2 hours).

Sunday 28th March 2.00pm TWENTY
A DOWNLAND SPRING, FOLKESTONE
A walk over the internationally important Folkestone Downs in search of early signs of spring. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Philip Green, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07880 706993). MEET: At the start of Crete Road West (off Canterbury Road, A260), Folkestone (TR 221 384). DISTANCE: 3 miles (2.5 hours). GRADE: 4

Wednesday 31st March
CARING FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE AT HAWKINGE
We will be working to clear footpaths and scrub at Frank & Bettie's Meadow in Hawkinge. Sponsored by Hawkinge Parish Council. LEADER: Steve Walker, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 241806 or 07899 758748). MEET: 9.30am Dover, 10.00am Folkestone, 10.05am Wingate Road or 10.15am outside the village hall, Canterbury Road, Hawkinge, near Folkestone (TR 217 398).

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