Every Monday
Join the Walk Leaders for a walk from Easington Colliery experienceing Hawthorn Dene every Monday morning from 10.30-11.30am. Longer walks are available. Meet at the former pit car park, Abbot Street, off Seaside Lane, Easington Colliery. For more information contact Lauren Lang on 0191 569 2847 or email lauren.lang@nhs.net
Every Tuesday
Join the Walk Leaders for a walk through the beautiful Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve every Thursday morning from 10.30-12.30pm. Long and short walks are available. Meet at Oakerside Dene Lodge, SR81NJ. For more information contact Lauren Lang on 0191 569 2847 or email lauren.lang@nhs.net
Nordic Walking
Join the Walk Leaders for a walk from Peterlee Pavilion every Tuesday afternoon from 1.30-2.30pm. There is a charge of £1 per session. All new walkers must attend a free 4 week introduction to "Nordic Walking" course before progressing on to the weekly walks. Meet at the Pavilion, Helford Road,Peterlee, SR81ER . For more information contact Lauren Lang on 0191 569 2847 or email lauren.lang@nhs.net
Children's Clubs in your area! New for 2012
Limestone Landscapes Children’s Clubs. The clubs will take place in Seaham Scout Hut and in Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve. Children aged 6 – 12 years old are invited to come along and learn about the geology, history and wildlife of their local area. The clubs will be fun and exciting, developing the children’s knowledge about the limestone landscapes where they live.
The Castle Eden Dene Limestone Landscapes Children’s Clubs will be run in partnership with The Dene Team (Natural England’s Youth Conservation Group) on the following dates:
Saturday 3rd March 2012 - 10am – 2pm with a Geology theme
Saturday 12th May 2012 - 10am – 2pm with a Nature theme
Saturday 7th July 2012 - 10am – 2pm a site visit to the beach in Seaham
Saturday 10th November 2012 - 10am – 2pm with a History theme.
The Seaham Limestone Landscapes Children’s Clubs will run as follows:
Tuesday 7th February 2012 - 4pm – 6pm with a Geology theme
Tuesday 15th May 2012 – 4pm – 6pm with a Nature theme
Saturday 7th July 2012 – 10am – 2pm a site visit to the beach in Seaham
Tuesday 20th November 2012 – 10am – 2pm with a History theme
For more information please contact Emma Bishop on emma.bishop@durhamlearning.net or call 0191 3739799
May
Wetland birds from Hardwick to Bishop Middleham
6 miles MEDIUM John Olley – Countryside Ranger
Buses:
For more information contact Countryside Services on 0191 372 9100.
Old Wingate to Hurworth Burn
12 miles MEDIUM/LONG Neville McDonnell – Voluntary Countryside Ranger
Food for Free
Wednesday 9th May 1- 2.30pm
2 miles EASY Richie Bell – Countryside Ranger
Start: Visitor Centre, Hardwick Park, on A177 on west side of Sedgefield. TS21 2DN. GR NZ346287 OS map 93, Explorer 305
Buses: Any bus to Sedgefield, then walk
‘Coast, Coal and Conservation’ – a stroll along the cliff tops
Saturday 12th May - 10.30-1pm
2 miles EASY David Heron – Local Historian
Start:
For more information contact Countryside Services on 0191 372 9100
Geology of the Limestone Landscapes Training day
Wednesday 16th May - 9.45am - 4pm
Quarrington Hill Comunity Centre
The purpose of the day is to train people working in the natural history sector on the formation, location and importance of the Permian Durham Magnesian Limestone. Reference will be made to hand specimens and there will be an opportunity to search of fossil fish, plants and the elusive gliding reptile!
Training will be provided by Dr. Paul Williams of the Open University. The day will comprise of a classroom session followed by field work at Coldknuckles Quarry.
A car-share will be in operation to get to the site. Please bring a packed lunch, notepad and pen a hard-hat and a hi-viz jacket if you have them.
Teas and coffees will be available at the Community Centre
All materials and equipment required to complete the training will be provided. At the end of the training day attendees will have improved their knowledge and experience of the geology of the Durham Mag-Lime which will be useful in future guided walks and talks.
For more information contact Ken Bradshaw on 0191 383 3359 or email ken.bradshaw@durham.gov.uk
History of Hardwick Park
Wednesday 16th May - 1.30- 3.30pm
The history of Hardwick Park with photo opportunities
Geocaching Course: Modern Day Treasure Hunting Training Day
Friday 18th May - 9.15am-4pm
Hetton-le-Hole: Hetton Centre
This course will be a practical introduction into the world of geocaching which is a modern version of the treasure hunt. By using GPS systems and the internet, you can search for previously hidden treasure on your route, return and write about your experiences. Treasure may be exchanged.
This is an entry level course designed to get your community geocaching and at the same time appreciating the environment.
The course is funded by the Limestone Landscapes Project.
Brusselton Wood and Shawbrow Hill
7.5 miles MEDIUM Ian Gray – Voluntary Countryside Ranger
Looping around Lumley
11.5 miles MEDIUM/LONG Dave Drinkwater – Voluntary Countryside Ranger
Ragwort Removal - Community Day
Sunday 27th May - 10am- 2pm
Hardwick Park Sedgefield,
Come along and get involved. No experience needed, tools will be provided and under 16's muct be supervised. You may get dirty so old clothing and sturdy footwear is advised.
Limestone, dolerite and waterfalls: introduction to Upper Teesdale’s geology part 1
8 miles MEDIUM/LONG John Burgess – Geologist and Natural Historian
From here to Bishop Middleham
5.5 miles EASY Mike Munro – Countryside Ranger
Limestone Exploration Day
Wed 30th May 10am- 3pm with Julia Quiñonez
Bishop Middleham Village Hall
This course will look at how the magnesian limestone has shaped the flora and fauna found in grasslands and woodlands in County Durham. A walk along the quarry will allow us to look at the most characteristic flowers and grasses of this special habitat and present an opportunity to learn about the management of this site. This course will also focus on the different butterflies associated with this habitat.
Please bring a packed lunch, outdoor shoes and warm, waterproof clothes. This course is delivered as part of the Limestone Landscapes Partnership funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Please phone the Durham Wildlife Office on 0191 584 3112 to book a place.
June
Art walk: Taking a line for a walk
Saturday 2nd June 10am-12pm
2 miles EASY Sophy Nixon – Artist, Wear warm clothing and bring a drink and something to sit on
Autism Awareness Family Activity Day
Friday 8th June 11am - 2pm at Wingate Woods
Activities will include shelter building, nature hunt, woodland art etc. For more information or to book a place for you and your family contact Chris Affleck on 0191 5273333 or email chrisaffleck@woodlandtrust.org.uk . Please note there are a limited spaces so book early to avoid disapointment. Deadline for bookings is Thursday 31st May.
Thrislington National Nature Reserve rocks, fossils and grasslands with Dave Lawrence, BGS
Saturday 9th June
A day to explore the wonders of the Durham Magnesian Limestone looking at how it was formed and where you can see examples of the unique formations. Hand specimens of some key fossils will be available from the Marl Slate.
A walk into the National Nature Reserve will give an opportunity to marvel at the splendour of the mag-lime grasslands and view the impressive quarry. There will also be an opportunity to search for fossils in the Marl Slate pile
Email ken.bradshaw@durham.gov.uk for further information and bookings
An Introduction to Limestone Landscapes with Ken Bradshaw
Thursday 14th June
Come to Quarrington Hill and discover the wonders of the Magnesian Limestone Plateau. The day will be led by Ken Bradshaw, Heritage Officer for the Limestone Landscape Partnership and will offer the opportunity to understand the geology, its wildlife and the historic environment that is found on the Plateau. Crowtrees Heritage group will have a display of their work and talk about their research of the Crowtrees Hamlet.
In the afternoon, there will be an opportunity to walk through Crowtrees Local Nature Reserve with DCC ranger John Olley and visit the remains of Crowtrees.
We will then visit the Quarrington Coldknuckles Quarry and there will be an opportunity to search for fossil fish and plants in the Marl Slate. Geologist Stuart Jones of Durham University will be on hand to help with interpretation of the rocks and fossils.
Creating and maintaining good quality ponds in urban areas Ref N2
Friday 15 June Location: Houghton Le Spring, Durham
Facilitator: Michael Rogers, Durham Wildlife Trust
The workshop will be of interest to land managers, consultants, and community groups concerned with the importance and environmental health of urban streams. Based on lessons learned from the Living Waterways Project the workshop will cover small scale wetland creation of high quality ponds, reed beds and backwaters for wildlife in urban and urban fringe environments. Other aspects considered will be: how to locate project areas, develop partnerships with local communities, councils and landowners; how to design and plan successful projects on a small budget; design guidance and planting lists.
The Living Waterways Project is an Environment Agency Initiative to improve urban streams for people and wildlife as part of their work to implement the Water Framework Directive and accesses funding to achieve this.
Workshop fee £100 (Concessions £75 for the unwaged; employees and volunteers with charities and parish councils; a 10% early booking discount applies to events booked 28 days in advance).
For further information and online booking see the training and events pages on our website at www.floralocale.org or email info@floralocale.org
Limestone Exploration Day with Julia Quiñonez
Sat 23rd June, 9.30am- 3pm
Meet at Blackhall Community Centre
This day will explore the Durham Coast and discover what makes this area so valuable and rich in wildlife. During the morning the course will look at how magnesian limestone has shaped the different habitats -looking at the grasslands the special flushes alongside the cliffs. An outdoor workshop will look at the variety of plants that are found on this limestone plateau and the different birds associated with this habitat.
In the afternoon we will take a walk along Hawthorn Dene Nature Reserve to see some of the most common orchids in the magnesian limestone area like common spotted and northern marsh orchids, but also find some of the less common species like fragrant, bee and pyramidal orchids. In addition to looking at why orchids have a great appeal to humans the course will provide an opportunity to learn about their habitat, distribution, natural history and key identification features.
The Historic Environment with Niall Hammond, Archaeo-Environment
Friday 29th June
A special bus tour of the Limestone Landscapes starting/finishing at the Penshaw Monument. In the capable hands of an expert historian we will explore the wide ranging historical sites that the Plateau has to offer. There will be an opportunity to climb the Monument and walk around the parapet under the supervision of its owner National Trust (TBC).
July
Volunteer Walk Leader Training
Monday 23rd July
Healthworks, Easington Colliery
What does the training involve? Training for volunteer walk leaders is a one-day course for anyone willing and able to lead walks in the community. It is a day of practical advice and is run locally in areas where there is a potential or existing "walking for health" scheme. It includes practice in leading a walk and information on keeping people motivated.
How much does the training cost? Free! The training course is free of charge; however, trainees are expected to deliver walks following completion of the course.
Am I interested in attending the training? Who do I contact for more information?For dates of the training or for further information please contact Get Active on 0191 5692847 or email lauren.lang@nhs.net
October
Monday 22nd October
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