New year, new woodland adventures EVENTS FOR SPRING 2020 Dens and dinosaurs Sun 16 February 10.30am - 12.00noon There is a rumour that there is a dinosaur roaming through the woods! Be a brave explorer, build a den and a dinosaur trap, dig for dinosaur remains, follow the huge footprints, make a fossil dinosaur to take home and celebrate with marshmallows and hot chocolate. £9 per child 3-11 The Big Bad Mouse Friday 21 February 10.30am - 12.00noon Follow the tracks with the Gruffalo’s child to find the big bad mouse and make a shadow mouse to take home. Find the mouse’s store of seeds to make popcorn on the fire. Includes a hot or cold drink for adults and children. At the Bluebell Wood. An afternoon session may be added. £9 per child aged 2-8 Spring Celebration Sunday 22 March 2.00pm-4.00pm Sit amongst the primroses and weave nests to hold little eggs as a celebration of new beginnings! Toast wild garlic and brie on the fire; Enjoy tea, toasted fruit buns and cupcakes. Be inspired to write a spring poem. A perfect treat for mother's day, but everyone is welcome! £9 per person aged 4 to adult, includes food and drink for all Easter Bunnies Saturday 11 April 2.30pm - 4.00pm Help Peter Rabbit find the Flopsy Bunnies in the wood and play some games. Make an Easter bunny to take home; cook a chocolatey treat on the fire. £7 per child aged 4 to 11 Spring walk Saturday 2 May 1.30pm - 3.00pm A gentle amble through at Abbots Wood, identifying spring birdsong and wild flowers. Bring a camera! This event is free, but must be booked with Forestry England by emailing
[email protected] All these events take place in a little private wood at Folkington near EASTBOURNE, except where stated To book, please email
[email protected] Coming up: Fairy fest, Bug hunt, Snails and whales, Midsummer Magic I'll be making more use of the swathes of wild garlic to be found in the woodland at Folkington. We'll be wrapping it round English Brie at the Spring Celebration on 22 March and roasting it on the fire. I'll offer it as an accompaniment to party sausages too! It's so sad to see the demise of ash trees across the Sussex hills and hedges. The character of the hills, particularly around Eastbourne, will change significantly in the coming years. From where I sit, though, it emphasises the health and vigour of our elm trees, in a billowing row along the foot of the downs. Their flowers are just about to burst - watch out for a haze of purple through February and March. The bushcraft enthusiasts, however, will be pleased to find an abundance of the fungus daldinia concentrica , better known as King Alfred's cakes, as it grows on dead ash wood. Perfect for firelighting with firesteel or magnifying glass! I'll be running a fire skills session in the summer. WOODLAND PARTIES I love running birthday parties at the little wood at Folkington. Parties are held all year round. Parties can be for grown ups too - I've just held a 50th Birthday Robin Hood party! Or you can meet friends for some wild cooking, wood craft or just forest bathing. Just ask! See www.cherrywoodadventures.co.uk/parties for details. Parties cost from £130 for an hour and a half for up to sixteen children. new woods to work I'm always keeping an eye out for other woods and green spaces to work. Almost all the slots at Folkington are booked until October! If you know of somewhere that might be suitable, do get in touch . The spring comes linking and jinking through the woods, Opening with gentle hand the bonnie green and yellow buds. - William Miller See you in the springtime woods! Sarah Visit THE WEBSite www.cherrywoodadventures.co.uk 07887 556336 www.facebook.com/cherrywoodadventures
