Magic at Whitlingham!
Thursday 22 July 10am – 4pm Whitlingham Country Park, Trowse
Families will be able to walk the 21/2 miles round the Great Broad at Whitlingham Country Park for the first time on Thursday July 22nd when it will be officially opened at the Park’s ‘Go Wild at Whitlingham!’ family activity day.
Work finished on the Great Broad, dug from gravel workings, last winter and the last section of the wheelchair and pushchair friendly circular walk around it, giving great views of the broad and the wildlife that lives there, has just been completed.
Families of all ages are invited to join in the fun of the day by working their magic with the fairies, turning explorer on a landrover safari, or trying their hand at sailing or canoeing.
They can get creative making their own fairy wings from their favourite butterfly designs and dazzle for the rest of the day, or use ancient folklore and Celtic wisdom to conjure up a magic wand with the Fairyland Trust. Six half hour workshops will be held throughout the day from 11.15 am to 3.30pm.
They can take to the water on a Canadian canoe or try their hand at sailing with the help of an instructor. They should be prepared for some adventure on a Landrover safari of the park or can discover the woodlands and meadows for themselves on a guided cycle trail. For those a little younger, how about watching ‘Apple Pip’, a special open air production from the popular Nutmeg Puppet Company. Pip needs your help to save her precious apple tree from the grumpy owner Mrs Crabbe. Performances will be at 11.30 am, 1pm and 3pm.
Rachael Miller, Events Ranger at the Broads Authority says, “People living in Norwich don’t realise what Whitlingham Country Park has to offer right on their doorstep. This is a great opportunity to get out and discover the park and have fun trying your hand at the different activities on offer.”
Visitors can feel free to explore the woodland walks, picnic on the meadows or relax by the beach where they can enjoy music throughout the day on the novel ‘mobile bandstand,’ from local folk band ‘Map o Tazi’ and Norfolk based ‘Climax Jazz Band’.
If this isn’t enough, take time to find out more about the Broads Authority, RSPB, Norwich River Heritage Group and the RNLI who will be displaying fun facts and interesting information on the picnic terrace. Refreshments and toilets will be available. There will be a charge for some of the activities.
Whitlingham Country Park is easily reached by river so why not work in the rare opportunity to arrive on a river bus service provided by a historic Dunkirk Little Ship, Singapore II.
The 32ft boat, built in 1937 at Walton on the Naze, will be running from Elm Hill Quay on the hour between 10am and 12 noon, and 2pm - 5pm, and from Station Quay at quarter past the hour from 10.15am to 12.15pm and 2.15pm to 5.15pm. The return journey from Whitlingham will be at 10.30am, 11.30am and every half past the hour from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. A return ticket costs just £3 for adults and £2 for children. The boat is also available for private charter from City Boats, tel:01603 701701.
Whitlingham Country Park is ideally situated for walking or cycling from the city. It is on the number 58 and 58A bus route, and has a reasonably priced car park. For more information contact the Broads Authority on 01603 610734.
15/07/2004
