SAT 1 TEA-TIME GUIDE TO EVERYTHING CHESIL, 2 – 3.30pm. A slightly more relaxing way to find out about the famous Chesil Beach & its wildlife. Join our Dorset Wildlife Trust wardens for tea & cake from Taste* café, at the Chesil Beach Centre, while they talk about everything from the formation of the beach to its rich wildlife & military history. There will be a short walk afterwards to visit key areas of interest. £6 per person. Booking essential.Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information and to book.
SAT 1 CATERPILLAR KIDS – BIZARRE BADGERS, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Discover how to spot a secret badger route & remarkable facts about badgers. Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
SUN 2 SEASHORE SCAVENGERS, 11am – 12.30pm. Walk along the Chesil Beach, looking for signs of creatures washed in from the deep. Hunt for rare pink sea fans, shark eggcases or other treasures sometimes blown in from the Atlantic Ocean. Adults £3, Children £2. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
FRI 7 A WILD GARDEN, an illustrated talk by well-known local photographer, Colin Varndell. 7.30pm, Bridport United Church Hall, East Street, Bridport. £2 suggested donation £3 (for non-members), incl. refreshments.
SUN 9 GUIDED WALKIES AT UPTON COUNTRY PARK, 10am – 1pm. A walk for you & your dog to explore the new extension to Upton Country Park, with joint leaders from Dorset Dogs & The Great Heath. Meet at the far end of the main car park (parking charges apply). For more information, contact Bev Lagden on 01202 692033 or [email protected]
TUES 11 LYTCHETT BAY POOLE HARBOUR TRAIL WALK, 10am to 2pm. Six mile Poole Harbour Trails walk with The Great Heath. Start at the junction of Policeman’s Lane, Upton & B3067 Dorchester Road flyover (SY 970934 approx postcode BH16 5NX). Bus, Morebus 40, 8 or 9. Suggested donation £3 includes a free Poole Harbour Trails Walk pack to explore further. Moderate to easy terrain with a few steps & possibly some mud. Bring a packed lunch & optional money for a hot drink at Hamworthy Park Café at the finish. Return by bus or book on to our minibus. BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01202 692033.
TUES 11 DORSET WILD RIVERS, a talk by Jacob Dew, Conservation Officer for Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wild Rivers Project. Jacob will talk about how this project is working in partnership, to restoring local rivers for the benefit of fish, invertebrates, reducing agricultural run-off into the chalk streams & creating wetland habitats in the floodplains. 7.30pm, Carter Community School, Blandford Close, Poole BH15 4BQ. Poole Group
THUR 13 BROWNSEA WALK & DRAW, 11am to 2pm. Drawing workshop led by artist Julie Herring. Suitable for adult beginners or improvers, this is a chance to see, enjoy & draw the wild world of Brownsea. Based at Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Brownsea Island Nature Reserve with drinks provided. Cost £15 plus normal boat fares & NT landing charges apply. Boats from 10am from Poole or Sandbanks. Limited spaces. Booking essential on 01202 692033 or email [email protected]
FRI 14 (4pm – 6pm (part 1) & SAT 15 7 – 9am (part 2) SMALL MAMMAL WORKSHOP, Part 1: Learn about the ecology of small mammals & how to identify them. Then set live traps to catch them on Friday night. Part 2: CHECK YOUR TRAP on Saturday morning to see what you have caught! Starts at Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill Lane, Corfe Mullen BH21 3RX. £5 per adult, £3 per child (children on Saturday only). BOOKING ESSENTIAL as limited numbers: [email protected]. 01202 692033.
FRI 14 – SUN 16 WILLOW SCULPTURE WEEKEND WORKSHOP Design and make your own willow animal on this extended weekend, learning willow design, shaping and formation techniques, with Kim Creswell. R £379, NR £299 Includes materials. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
SAT 15 DEER AT DAWN Join Sam Hamer on an early morning walk to witness the autumn deer rut at Powerstock, before a full breakfast back at the Centre. £16 Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
SAT 15 LORTON APPLE DAY, 10.30am – 3pm. Try out the traditional practice of apple juice & cider making, by helping chop, crush & squeeze local apples, with the Weymouth Transition Town Group. Drop in any time during the day, fantastic but slightly messy fun, so please wear old clothes. The Conservation Centre is open for visitors 10am – 4pm, come along for a walk around the reserve, enjoy an organic coffee, Fairtrade tea or Dorset sweet treat & peruse our selection of wildlife books & guides. FREE EVENT, donations to Transition Town Group. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information.
SAT 15 AUTUMN BIRDS ON BROWNSEA, 11am to 1pm. Discover the birds of the Dorset Wildlife Trust Brownsea Island Nature Reserve, famous for its flocks of wading birds in autumn. Boats from Poole or Sandbanks from 10am. Suggested donation £2 plus normal boat fares & NT landing charges apply. BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01202 692033 or email [email protected]
SUN 16 KINGCOMBE FARM WALK & FEAST Discover how we farm with wildlife on a guided walk, followed by a full Sunday lunch. Led by Emily Newton & Ashlea Kirk. £30 Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
SUN 16 MARINE GIANTS TALK & EGGCASE SURVEY, 1.30 – 3pm. Learn about the whales, sharks, dolphins & huge jellyfish that we have in Dorset. You will be surprised & amazed by the giants that can be found around our coast. Join us to hunt for shark & ray eggcases along Chesil Beach. Adults £3, Children £2. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
WED 19 UPDATE ON THE GREAT HEATH PROJECT, an illustrated talk by Nicky Hoar, DWT Learning & Interpretation Officer. 7.30pm, Fontmell Magna Village Hall (SP7 0JU). £2 (incl. refreshments); no charge for children under 16.
WED 19 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLE OF ISLAY, a talk by Becky Williamson, Naturalist & Photographer. 7.30pm Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne, DT9 3NL. £2.50 for both members & non-members.
WED 19 WOODLAND FELT SCULPTURE WORKSHOP Create your own needle felt acorns, conkers, leaves or fungi using the seasonal colours & inspiration of autumn, with Carla Taylor. £80 Materials included. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
THUR 20 THE ECOLOGY OF SEASHORES, an illustrated talk by Steve Limburn. 7.30pm, Christchurch Baptist Church Hall, Bargates, corner of Beaconsfield Road, Christchurch. £2 incl. coffee & biscuits.
FRI 21 FUNGI AT YOUR DOORSTEP, a talk by Eric Watson. 7.30pm in the Quarterjack Suite, Allendale Community Centre, Hanham Rd, Wimborne.
FRI 21 – MON 24 AUTUMN PLANTS IN WATERCOLOUR Explore the rich colours & varied forms of autumnal berries, fruits, seed heads & flowers in this botanical painting workshop, with Christina Hart-Davies. For those with some experience. R £395 NR £275 Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
SAT 22 FUNGI FORAY AT KINGCOMBE MEADOWS Learn about the amazing array of fungi amongst the ancient pastures, with expert John Wright. £69. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
SAT 22 – SUN 30 CHESIL HALF TERM BIRD BONANZA, 10am – 4pm. Find out about garden birds, the best things to feed them & how to ready your garden for winter. Fun activities for the kids will be running all week at the Chesil Beach Centre, like making fat balls & bird feeders. Prices from £1. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
SUN 23 OPTICRON OPTICS DAY, 10am – 4pm. Looking to buy some new binoculars or a telescope? Rob Laughton from Opticron will be on hand to give expert advice on optics. Try out a large range of binoculars & scopes whilst viewing the spectacular wildlife of Chesil & the Fleet Lagoon at the Chesil Beach Centre. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
SUN 23 FUNGI FORAY AT POWERSTOCK COMMON Discover this fascinating world of fungi on a foray amongst ancient woodland, with expert John Wright. £69. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
TUES 25 CUTTLEFISH KIDS – SEAWEED EXPLORER, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Get slimy with seaweed! Did you know that you put seaweed in your mouth every day? Learn fascinating facts, how to identify seaweeds & have fun pressing them. Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information and to book.
WED 26 CREATURES OF THE DEEP DARK OCEAN, 1 – 3pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Find out about the creatures of the deep dark ocean & make one to take home. Parents must accompany all children. £2 per child. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
WED 26 CUTTLEFISH KIDS – STRANDLINE RAIDERS, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Search the strandline of Chesil Beach to discover rare pink seafans, shark eggcases & other lost treasures blown in from the Atlantic. Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information and to book.
THUR 27 BAT WALK AT KNOLL GARDENS, 5 – 7pm. Dorset Wildlife Trust & Knoll Gardens Foundation invite you to a dusk stroll around the gardens to discover bats in Wild about Gardens week. Cost £5 per adult, £3 per child. Meet at Knoll Gardens, Wimborne. BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01202 692033 or email [email protected].
THUR 27 THE NATURALIST’S YEAR, an illustrated talk by Hamish Murray. 7.30pm, Methodist Church, North Street, Wareham. Visitors welcome. Isle of Purbeck Group
THUR 27 CATERPILLAR KIDS – MINIBEASTS IN THE WILD WOODS, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Discover the beetles, bugs & slugs lurking under logs in Withy Woods – which has the best camouflage? Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
FRI 28 CATERPILLAR KIDS – SPOOKY SPIDERS & HALLOWEEN BATS, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Discover the secret life of baffling bats & other spooky Halloween creatures, then make bouncing bats to take home. Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
SAT 29 OCT – SUN 4 DEC CHRISTMAS CRAFT SALE – Featuring a range of beautiful hand-crafted gifts from artists across Dorset. On sale every weekend at the Kingcombe Centre. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ. www.kingcombe.org.
SAT 29 BEACHCOMB THE BAY, 12.30 – 2pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Everything that washes ashore has a story to tell. What is it? Where has it come from? How did it get here? Join us to search for & discover the stories behind our beach treasures. £3 adult £2 child. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
SAT 29 WILDLIFE GARDENING WORKSHOP, 10am – 2pm, at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Corfe Mullen. Join Katie for this adult wildlife gardening workshop in Wild about Gardens week. Learn the basics of wildlife gardening & then make your own creature feature as well as help to improve the Urban Wildlife Centre Garden. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Email [email protected] or ring 01202 692033. £5 per adult to cover cost of materials.
SUN 30 WINTER BIRDS OF CHESIL, THE FLEET & PORTLAND HARBOUR, 11.30am – 1pm. A guided walk looking at the gulls, wading birds & geese along Chesil Beach & the Fleet with local naturalist Sean Foote. Adults £3, Children £2. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
SUN 30 HALLOWEEN BIRD FEEDERS, 11am – 3pm, Chesil Beach Centre. Make spooky bird feeders to go in your garden at Halloween. £1 per item. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
