The event was inspired by the wonderful Nature Reserve at Pensthorpe whose
facilities
were generously offered free, by Bill Jordan, for a new
environmental awareness event
for the local community. The first one was
hosted & sponsored by the charity "Pensthorpe
Conservation Trust" with support
from Fakenham Learning Community and local community
and voluntary group "New
LiFe" - learning in Fakenham for everyone.
The aim of the
event was to encorage local residents, schools and youth groups
to learn more about
the amazing Wensum Valley and take more interest in the
wildlife and people who derive
a living from it. Professor David Bellamy OBE
kindly agreed to launch the event and
also gave an enjoyable talk on " The
Wensum Valley from caveman to cranes". Over
40 local environmental groups
attended and over 4000 local people visited, giving
excellent feedback.
The exhibitors included: Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Norfolk Ornithologists
Association, Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society, British Dragonfly Society,
Fakenham
Young Naturalists, Hawk and Owl Trust, Natural England, Beekeeping
Society, Adult
Education, RSPCA, RSPB, and the Fairyland Trust.
Fakenham High School and College
students helped at the Information Point and
had a display of their posters relating
to the ecology of the Bittern, the 2007
species of conservation, an iconic bird in
Norfolk. Donations for this
species, to improve and increase its habitat raised £1500,
which has been given
to local projects. In 2008 the species will be the Marsh Harrier.
Activities
included: numerous interactive games, buglife and bird guided
walks, puzzles, quizzes,
craft demonstrations, recycling display, crown making,
facepainting, sensory garden,
taster sessions on making jewellery from junk and
digital photography, bird tracking,
mask making, live exhibits, conservation
displays and pond dipping.
This was the most
popular local community event for many years and it is hoped
that with continued
sponsorship and in 2008 a small charge for car parking,
that it will become a regular
feature on people's calendars, to raise the
profile of the Wensum Valley.
• FREE event/park entry
• Open 10am - 5pm, parking £3 per car
• Donations to support
the Marsh Harrier
Come and join us for a great day out in the stunning setting of Pensthorpe Nature Reserve.There are so many activities... buglife, guided walks, bird watching, nature quizzes, puzzles, local craft demonstrations, recycling display, even crown making with the Fairyland Trust....
...it’s an action-packed day not to miss!
Celebrity Opening By David Gray
