Magic touch to inaugural National Parks Week
Britain’s thirteen National Parks are celebrating the inaugural National Parks Week from today (July 1st – 9th) with a packed programme of daily events aimed at drawing the public’s attention to the open air opportunities on offer.
On the Broads, Britain’s largest protected wetland, Harry Potter actor Chris Rankin, from Norwich, will be sailing in by wherry on Friday July 2nd to launch the Broads Authority’s new ‘Fun in the Broads’ programme “Events in our Magical Wetland.”
He will be greeted by thirty children from Blofield Primary School, who are participating in a residential environmental education course run by the How Hill Trust, dressed as owls, bats and frogs. Together they will embark on some spooky games before having a go at pond dipping in a bid to net a variety of strange creatures.
Public events on land and water during the week range from a guided canoe trail on the River Waveney on Sunday to daily guided walks, finishing off with an all-day Broads landrover safari on Friday July 9th.
The “Events in our magical wetland” leaflet carries details of 70 imaginative ways of enjoying the Broads between now and the end of September. It includes information on the Broads Authority’s popular three week wherry tour which runs from July 31st to August 19th and which is already booking up fast.It also highlights the ever popular Nutmeg Puppet Company which will be touring the Broads from August 1st – 21st with a new, free, open air show all about rubbish!
Why not submit to the spell of the Broads this week, get out on the water, and enjoy the tranquillity and fresh air? The Broads Authority runs four quiet boat trips at Beccles, Ranworth, a wildlife water trail at How Hill and the solar boat ‘Ra’ at Barton. You can also go on a Norfolk Wildlife Trust water trail at Hickling, and climb a tree tower, hire electric day boats or paddle your own canoe from a network of centres.
Details of other year round events can be found in the free visitor newspaper, Broadcaster, available from Broads information centres, or the Broads Authority tel 01603 610734.
National Parks Week Events in the Broads July 1st to 9th.
Saturday 3 July 10am - 1pm
Walk on the Wildside!
Follow signs to English Nature Workshops, Ferry Road, Woodbastwick.
Woodbastwick fens are part of the Bure Marshes National Nature Reserve and are full of plants and animals of special interest. We may see swallowtail butterflies and Norfolk hawker dragonflies, weather permitting! Bring: Wellies (essential) and drink, camera and binoculars if wished. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Book in advance. Contact: Beccles Broads Information Centre on 01502 713196.
Cost: Free.
Sunday 4 July 10am - 3.30pm
Guided Canoe Trail: Oulton Broad to Burgh St Peter
Meet at Oulton Broad Watersports Centre, in the Oulton Broad car park by Pets Corner. Explore Oulton Broad and the beautiful River Waveney with a Ranger as your guide. Canadian canoes are safe and stable and can hold up to 3 adults. No experience necessary as an instructor will be on hand to show you the basics. Bring: Packed lunch and drink. Not suitable for under 8s, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Book in advance. Contact: Beccles Broads Information Centre on 01502 713196.
Cost: Adult £12, child £8.
Monday 5 July 7pm - 9pm
Wild about Whitlingham!
Whitlingham Country Park Little Broad car park
Discover the countryside on the edge of the city! There are so many different species of wildlife here it's difficult to remember that you're just outside Norwich. Join the country park ranger to look for waterfowl on the newly completed Great Broad, and swifts and swallows feeding overhead. As dusk approaches bats should also appear! Bring: Stout shoes or boots, waterproofs, binoculars. Contact: Beccles Broads Information Centre on 01502 713196.
Cost: Free
Tuesday 6 July 9.30am - 1pm
Exploring the Broads
Meet at Horning Staithe.
Led by a Broads countryside ranger, this walk on country roads and footpaths offers an opportunity to visit one of the lesser-known broads - Alderfen Broad. Also includes a stop at the Radar Museum at RAF Neatishead for a cup of tea or coffee on the way back to Horning Staithe. Bring: Waterproofs, boots. Contact: Beccles Broads Information Centre on 01502 713196.
Cost: Free.
Wednesday 7 July 7.30pm - 9pm
Evening Stroll at Cantley
Reed Cutters public house, Cantley.
A lovely 2 1/2 mile evening stroll around the RSPB marshes at Cantley with a Broads countryside ranger. Bordering the River Yare this easy walk should provide ample opportunities to see some of the special wildllife that lives here. Why not leave the car at home and come by train? A train leaves Norwich for Cantley at 19.01 and returns at 21.02. Or have a drink in the Reed Cutters, run by a local brewery, and catch the 22.32 back to Nowich. Bring: Stout shoes or boots, waterproofs. Contact: Beccles Broads Information Centre on 01502 713196.
Cost: Free.
Thursday 8 July 7pm - 9pm A Wildlife Walk in the Waveney Valley
North Cove Church, North Cove , near Beccles (A143).
A three-mile evening guided evening stroll with Broads countryside Rangers through the diverse landscapes and habitats of a quiet and wildlife rich corner of the Waveney Valley. With luck glow worms may be seen! Bring: Wellies or stout boots, insect repellent, waterproofs. Not suitable for under 8s Book in advance. Contact: Beccles Broads Information Centre on 01502 713196.
Cost: Free.
Friday 9 July 9.30am - 4.30pm Broads Landrover Safari
Meet at 18 Colegate, Norwich.
Hop in a landrover to take a tour with Broads countryside rangers and visit a variety of Broads landscapes - from dairy farms to open water and fen to grazing marshes. Including two short walks of around, a boat trip on soalr powered boat Ra on Barton Broad and a visit to a Broads farm to see how it is managed for wildlife. Bring: Packed lunch and drink, waterproofs, boots and sun screen. Not suitable for under 8s. Book in advance. Contact: Beccles Broads Information Centre on 01502 713196.
Cost: Adult £10, child £6.
30/06/2004
