Broads hosts picnic in city wildlife haven
The public brought their picnics to a city wildlife haven on Sunday July 25th to learn about nature and help launch National Parks Week (25 -31st July) . The free event was part of Discovering Places, the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad campaign to discover the local environment which is principally funded by the National Lottery.
Organised by the Broads Authority and Norwich Fringe Project at Cary’s Meadow Local Nature Reserve in Thorpe it coincided with picnics held in all 15 National Parks around the UK simultaneously.
The open air party also celebrated the 20th birthday of the Norwich Fringe Project which manages the nature reserve for the Broads Authority and a birthday cake was cut.
Wildlife was the word at the event, with events including learning how to make bird boxes, bug hotels, butterfly feeders and herb pots to help the local wildlife. There was wildlife hunting on guided walks, environmental arts and crafts such as badge and mask making and displays and information about the countryside. There was also face painting in wildlife designs.
Matt Davies, Norwich Fringe Project manager, said: “The Picnic in the Park is an opportunity to explore the countryside on your doorstep and learn about nature.
Cary’s Meadow, which has two woodlands, is a green oasis in a very urban area –an amazing wildlife corridor bordered by two housing estates, a main road, a railway line and the River Yare.”
Special events will be held throughout National Parks Week including a woodland survival course, a sunset history boat trip to the ruins of St Benet’s Abbey, bat hunting on Barton Broad from the solar boat ‘Ra’, guided walks and evening strolls.
The week culminates on Saturday 31 July 11am - 4pm with another family party at Hoveton Riverside Park with wildlife activities, guided walks, Canadian canoe trails on the quiet upper Bure, a Nutmeg Puppet Show and other entertainment. The park is near Roys of Wroxham Station Road car park.
For more information on National Park Week events on the Broads visit http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/visiting/what-s-on/month-by-month-events.html .Or you can pick up a Fun in the Broads leaflet or Broadcaster visitor magazine from Broads Authority Information Centres at Hoveton, Ranworth,Potter Heigham, Beccles, How Hill near Ludham, and Whitlingham Country Park, or from its Norwich headquarters. Tel: 01603 610734.
26/07/10
