News

With half-term nearly upon us, there are lots of fun activities for  the Green Gang youngsters over the coming weeks.

Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd October 10.00am – 5.00pm

MINI WESTERN HEIGHTS OPEN WEEKEND

Enjoy the last opportunity of the year to explore the Drop Redoubt and Grand Shaft and meet the re-enactors. Please wear sensible footwear as the visit involves many steps. More details at www.doverwesternheights.org  or White Cliffs Countryside Partnership on 01304 241806. CHARGE: For entry to Drop Redoubt at a special price of £3.00 for adults and accompanied children FREE, Grand Shaft will also be open free. LEADER: Western Heights Preservation Society. MEET: Drop Redoubt Road, Western Heights, Dover (TR 317 409). Walk to the site following the signs from the town, use the Grand Shaft staircase (Snargate Street) or limited parking available on the Grand Shaft Barracks site or at St. Martin’s Battery car park.

Monday 24th October 2.00pm

FOSSIL FORAY AT FOLKESTONE WARREN (Green Gang)

Join in a family fossil foray in the East Cliff & Warren Country Park. An opportunity to see some of the fossils found on the site with a chance to find your own fossils to take home. Please wear strong footwear and take care on the rocks. Suggested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Phil Green, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01303 274806 or 07880 706993). MEET: The Pavilion, Wear Bay Road, Folkestone (TR 239 364). DISTANCE: 1.5 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 5 (rocky shore).

Tuesday 25th October 10.00am - 4.30pm

FAMILY DAY AT DOVER MUSEUM

 
Adults and children alike can come along and try a wide variety of board games. Choose from a wide selection of games from Snakes and Ladders to Battleships, Jenga to Table Bowls. Entry to the museum is FREE on Family Days. LEADER: Kim Norton, Dover Museum (01304 201066). MEET: Dover Museum, Market Square, Dover. DURATION: 30 minutes.
 

Tuesday 25th October 10.40am

CARING FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE - DUNGENESS, LONG PITS: WILLOW SCRUB CLEARING

Clearing willow scrub from the banks of the Long pits to benefit some of our rarer plant species. This site is accessed via a security gate at the Power station. If you are making your own way to the site please meet at the Kerton road junction pick up point. LEADER: Mark Tuson, Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership (01797 367934 or 07971 276698). MEET: Junction of Kerton Road with Dungeness Road, Dungeness (TR 085 187). Please bring wellies.
 

Wednesday 26th October 10.00am - 4.30pm

FAMILY DAY AT DOVER MUSEUM

Adults and children alike can try the Victorian art of decoupage to make and decorate a box. Details as per Tuesday 25th October.

Wednesday 26th October 10.15am

CARING FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE: CHERITON HILL, FOLKESTONE: SCRUB CLEARING

Cutting scrub and gorse from a flat area at the top of Cheriton Hill. LEADER: Phil Green, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01303 274806 or 07880 706993). MEET: Start of Crete Road West, Folkestone (TR 221 384). Then driving along the road to the top of Cheriton Hill.

Wednesday 26 October 10.30am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 3.30pm

WILDLIFE DETECTIVES' MAMMAL HUNT (Please book)

A family event In conjunction with Kent’s Coastal Week. Follow the footprints and trails left behind by the mammals that live on the reserve. We will have a go at making plaster casts, follow a poo trail and investigate owl pellets as we search for clues. Booking essential. No charge for the event. LEADER: RSPB (01797 320588). MEET: Dungeness Nature Reserve, Boulderwall Farm, Dungeness Road, Lydd. DURATION: 2 hours. NO DOGS.

Thursday 27th October 2.00pm

TIDELINE DISCOVERIES ON DUNGENESS NNR (Green Gang)

Come and find what we can discover on the beach which is part of the Dungeness National Nature Reserve. Many exotic creatures have been washed up on the tideline from seahorses, thresher sharks to whales so bring a bucket (small will be fine!). Suggested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Mark Tuson, Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership (01797 367934 or 07971 276698). MEET: Lade Car Park (opposite Taylor road), Coast Drive, Lade (TR 086 208). DISTANCE: 0.5 miles (1.5 hours). GRADE: 5 (Beach)

Friday 28th October 10.15am

CARING FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE: RIVER DOUR TIDY

Come along and help keep the River Dour tidy and help conserve the wildlife. LEADER: Paul Willmott, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (07880 706991). MEET: Morrisons’ car park, Charlton Green, Dover (TR 315 422). Please note that we will move to other sites that need cleaning.

Saturday 29th October 2.30pm

MAKING SPOOKY AND SPARKLY LANTERNS (Green Gang)

Come and make a spooky & sparkly lantern to take along to the evening 'Pirates & Princesses Parade' Please come prepared with clothing appropriate for the weather and a picnic and drink before joining the 'the Pirates & Princesses Parade'. Please bring a jam jar or large plastic milk carton. CHARGE: £2 per item. LEADER: White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (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). DURATION: 1.5 hours. Dogs on leads.

Saturday 29th October 4.00pm

THE PIRATES & PRINCESSES PARADE AT SAMPHIRE HOE (G Gang)

Come to our famous Halloween parade and have spooky fun being Pirates and Princesses. Prizes will be given to the most swashbuckling and enchanting attire. Speak the pirates language ‘shiver-me-timbers’ and Fathom the 'Fishy Goings-on' (fun and games) to discover the treasure lost by 'Black Beard', me hearties! Torches and stout shoes a must. Suggested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Steve Walker, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01304 225649). MEET: Site management office, Samphire Hoe (pay and display car park). The Hoe is signposted off the A20 from Dover to Folkestone (TR 294 391). DISTANCE: 1 mile (1.5 hours). GRADE: 5. (night). Dogs on leads.
 

Sunday 30th October 2.00pm

CYCLE RIDE: LYMINGE FOREST

A gentle cycle ride through Lyminge Forest along one of the new cycle routes. Off road bike needed as this ride will make use of unmade tracks as well as quiet country lanes. LEADER: Kirk Alexander, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01304 241806 or 07885 599182). 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 meters along the country lane. DISTANCE: 8 miles (2 hours).

Sunday 27th November 2.00pm

A WATERSIDE OF TREE-SURE

This will be a gentle stroll along the Royal Military Canal to Aldergate Bridge and back along the other side. There is plenty to see at this time of year, from the wildlife by the water’s edge to the magnificent trees in winter splendour. This event is part of the National Tree Week celebration. Suggested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Mark Tuson, Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership (01797 367934 or 07971 276698). MEET: Car Park, bottom of Lympne Hill, West Hythe (TR 125 342). DISTANCE: 4 miles (2.5 hours). GRADE: 3

Sunday 11th December 1.30pm

MAKE NATURAL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Bring a bag to collect leaves, twigs and berries to make beautiful table and house decorations for yourself or as presents. Bring string, a container for the table decorations and colourful ribbons. Suggested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Melanie Wrigley, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01304 241806 or 07880 706990). MEET: Elms Vale Recreation Ground car park, Elms Vale Road, off Folkestone Road, Dover (TR 298 414). DISTANCE: 1 mile (2 hours). GRADE: 3

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