SAT 1 LORTON MEADOWS OPEN DAY, 10am – 4pm (Free). The Wildlife Centre is open for visitors, come along for a walk around the reserve, then drop in for a hot drink, and peruse our selection of Christmas cards, calendars, gifts & wildlife books. Plus watch the birds on the feeders on screen, find out what to feed your garden birds during the colder months & purchase bird seed, feeders & nest boxes.
For further information, please contact the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546 .Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].
SAT 1 SOVELL DOWN VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am – 4pm. Practical conservation work; all tools & training provided. Please bring lunch. For details of each task please contact Steve Claxton on 07967 032626.
SUN 2 EAST DORSET/ARC WORK PARTY, 10am – approx. 2.30pm. Lend a hand with practical conservation work at Parley Common. Meet at the Barrack Lane entrance (SZ 094993). The entrance can be accessed from Christchurch Road; drive past the Golden Acres Nursery & then drive along the road with speed bumps. For more information, please contact Jon Crewe on 07989 777757.
TUES 4 WEST DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY: Please contact DWT Warden Steve Masters on 07557 561624.
WED 5 VOLUNTEERS CONSERVATION TASK, 10am – 3pm, Lorton Meadows NR (Free). Join us for a day of practical work on site to restore the habitats important for local wildlife, with the Community Conservation Officer. Tools, gloves & drinks supplied. No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch, meet at the Conservation Centre.
See p38 for full details.
WED 5 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEERS, Working on a DWT nature reserve near you. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver on 07824 874273.
WED 5 THE GREAT HEATH VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am – 4pm. Practical conservation work on a variety of habitats. A wide range of tasks will be carried out; tools & training provided. Come along every Wednesday throughout the year & enjoy what the countryside has to offer. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
THUR 6 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERS, 10am every Thursday at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill. Practical conservation work; all tools & training provided. For details of each task contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. Map ref. SY 976949. The Urban Wildlife Centre lies at the top of Beacon Hill Lane, off the Old Wareham Road, SW. of Corfe Mullen. BH21 3RX. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
FRI 7 THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A SEAGULL! An illustrated talk by Luke Phillips – RSPB warden, Lodmoor. 7.30pm, Bridport United Church, East Street, Bridport. Suggested £2 donation (£3 for non-members) to cover costs (inc. refreshments). West Dorset Group.
SAT 8 & SUN 9 Sometimes delicious, sometimes deadly – fungi are a challenge for naturalists and gourmets alike. Discover this fascinating world with nationally renowned John ‘The Forager’ Wright (from River Cottage). Price: £65 pp including lunch and light refreshments. Phone 01300 320684 for more information and to book your place.
SUN 9 BROWNSEA ISLAND WORK PARTY, 9.30 am. Join the regular volunteering group on Brownsea Island on alternate Sundays throughout the year. Tasks include pine thinning, opening out the alder carr & rhododendron cutting. For details of boat timings etc contact Richard Proctor on 01202 693039 or 07718 511432.Map ref. SZ 028878. No road access. Public ferries run daily to the island from Sandbanks from 10am March – November, check for details. Also, ferries from Poole Quay & Bournemouth Pier.
MON 10 THE BUTTERFLIES & FLOWERS OF CROATIA, an illustrated talk by John Gilbert. 2.30pm. Langton Matravers Village Hall. Visitors welcome.
Isle of Purbeck Group.
MON 10 JOINT DWT/NAT TRUST MEETING, 2.30pm, Portfield Community Hall, Portfield Road. Park in streets or nearby car parks as very few disabled spaces only. Bournemouth & Christchurch Group.
TUES 11 SOUTH DORSET MID-WEEK VOLUNTEERS, 10am – 3pm: Habitat management on a DWT nature reserve near you. Contact warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for further details or to book your place.
TUES 11 WEST DORSET PRACTICAL VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY: Please contact DWT Warden Steve Masters on 07557 561624.
TUES 11 WILD AFRICA LIVE, a presentation by Alex Wills about his experiences in developing wildlife camera trapping techniques. The presentation will include original footage. 7.30pm, Carter Community School, Blandford Close, Hamworthy, BH15 4BQ. Poole Group.
WED 12 THE GREAT HEATH VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am – 4pm. Practical conservation work on a variety of habitats. A wide range of tasks will be carried out; tools & training provided. Come along every Wednesday throughout the year & enjoy what the countryside has to offer. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
THUR 13 PASTURES NEW VOLUNTEER TASK, 10 am. Join the regular volunteering group in west Dorset. Tasks can range from hedge laying to Himalayan balsam pulling, in locations all over west Dorset. Contact Nick Gray on 07824 438974 or at [email protected] for details.
THUR 13 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERS, 10am every Thursday at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill. Practical conservation work; all tools & training provided. For details of each task contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033.Map ref. SY 976949. The Urban Wildlife Centre lies at the top of Beacon Hill Lane, off the Old Wareham Road, SW. of Corfe Mullen. BH21 3RX. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
FRI 14 THE NAMING OF THE SHREW – TALK BY JOHN WRIGHT, 6.15pm – 7.45pm.River Cottage forager, raconteur and natural historian, John Wright unravels the weird and wonderful story behind science’s Latin terminology to describe the natural world. Price: £5 pp including refreshments. Bookings required. Book your place online or call 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, DT2 0EQ.
SAT 15 LORTON MEADOWS OPEN DAY, 10am – 4pm, (Free). The Wildlife Centre is open for visitors, come along for a walk around the reserve, then drop in for a hot drink, & peruse our selection of Christmas cards, calendars, gifts & wildlife books. Plus watch the birds on the feeders on screen, find out what to feed your garden birds during the colder months & purchase bird seed, feeders & nest boxes.For further information, please contact the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546 .Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].
SUN 16 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEERS Working on a DWT nature reserve near you. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver on 07824 874273.
TUES 18 WEST DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY: Please contact DWT Warden Steve Masters on 07557 561624.
TUES 18 DEER CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT, a talk by Jan Andrews (RDMS). 7.30pm, Herrison Hall, Charlton Down. Free entry but £3 donation requested inc. coffee and biscuits. Three Valleys Group.
WED 19 VOLUNTEERS CONSERVATION TASK, 10am – 3pm, Lorton Meadows NR (Free). Join a day of practical work on site, to restore the habitats important for local wildlife, with the Community Conservation Officer. Tools, gloves & drinks supplied. No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch, meet at the Conservation Centre.For further information, please contact the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546 .Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].
WED 19 CLIMATE CHANGE, an illustrated talk by Felicity Liggins from the Met Office. 7.30pm, Fontmell Magna Village Hall (SP7 0JU). £2 (inc. tea/coffee/biscuits). Children free. North Dorset Group.
WED 19 THE JURASSIC COAST, a talk by Mike Hooker. 7.30pm, Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne. Cost £2.50 (inc. coffee/tea & biscuits). Donations appreciated to cover costs. Sherborne Group.
WED 19 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEERS Working on a DWT nature reserve near you. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver on 07824 874273.
WED 19 THE GREAT HEATH VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am – 4pm. Practical conservation work on a variety of habitats. A wide range of tasks will be carried out; tools & training provided. Come along every Wednesday throughout the year & enjoy what the countryside has to offer. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
THUR 20 THE DORSET GREAT HEATH PROJECT, an illustrated talk by leader of the project. 7.30pm, Christchurch Baptist Church Hall, Bargates, corner of Beaconsfield Road, Christchurch. Cost £2 incl. coffee & biscuits.
Bournemouth & Christchurch Group. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
THUR 20 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERS, 10am every Thursday at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill. Practical conservation work; all tools & training provided. For details of each task contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033.Map ref. SY 976949. The Urban Wildlife Centre lies at the top of Beacon Hill Lane, off the Old Wareham Road, SW. of Corfe Mullen. BH21 3RX.This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
FRI 21 THE ROYAL NAVAL CORDITE FACTORY 1915 TO 1957 – ‘ACORNS URGENTLY NEEDED’, a talk by John England & Dr Bob Dukes. 7.30pm, Allendale Centre, Wimborne (open at 7pm). Wimborne Group.
SAT 22 THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF DORSET – ILLUSTRATED TALK BY COLIN VARNELL , 6.15pm – 7.45pm.From the drama of the Jurassic Coast and chalk downlands to the captivating beauty of the county’s green rolling hills and heathland, wildlife photographer, Colin Varndell, gives an illustrated talk of Dorset’s natural landscape. Price: £5 pp including refreshments. Bookings required. Book your place online or call 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, DT2 0EQ
SAT 22 PRINTS AND POO – 1 day course at the Kingcombe Centre. 10am – 4pm. Discover the world of tracking and field craft to learn and identify what clues wildlife leave on this 1 day workshop at Kingcombe Meadows Nature reserve. Price: £55 pp including lunch and refreshments. Booking on 01300 320684.
SUN 23 BROWNSEA ISLAND WORK PARTY, 9.30 am. Join the regular volunteering group on Brownsea Island on alternate Sundays throughout the year. Tasks include pine thinning, opening out the alder carr & rhododendron cutting. For details of boat timings etc contact Richard Proctor on 01202 693039 or 07718 511432.Map ref. SZ 028878. No road access. Public ferries run daily to the island from Sandbanks from 10am March – November, check for details. Also, ferries from Poole Quay & Bournemouth Pier.
TUES 25 WEST DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY: Scrub clearance & hedge laying. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Masters on 07557 561624.
TUES 25 ISLE OF PURBECK MID-WEEK VOLUNTEERS: Habitat management on a DWT nature reserve near you. Please contact warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for further details or to book your place.
TUES 25 MARINE LIFE IN LYME BAY, an illustrated talk by Dr Rachel Davies – Conservation Science Manager, MARINElife. 2.30pm , Woodmead Hall, Lyme Regis. Held jointly with The Lyme Regis Society. West Dorset Group.
WED 26 THE GREAT HEATH VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am – 4pm. Practical conservation work on a variety of habitats. A wide range of tasks will be carried out; tools & training provided. Come along every Wednesday throughout the year & enjoy what the countryside has to offer. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
THUR 27 THE RIVER ALLEN, an illustrated talk by Amanda Broom. 7.30pm. Methodist Church, North Street, Wareham. Visitors welcome. Isle of Purbeck Group.
THUR 27 PASTURES NEW VOLUNTEER TASK, 10 am. Join the regular volunteering group in West Dorset. Tasks can range from hedge laying to Himalayan balsam pulling in locations all over West Dorset. Please contact Nick Gray on 07824 438974 or at [email protected] for details.
THUR 27 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERS, 10am every Thursday at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill. Practical conservation work; all tools & training provided. For details of each task contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033.Map ref. SY 976949. The Urban Wildlife Centre lies at the top of Beacon Hill Lane, off the Old Wareham Road, SW. of Corfe Mullen. BH21 3RX. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
SAT 29 SOVELL DOWN VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am – 4pm. Practical conservation work; all tools & training provided. Please bring lunch. For details of each task please contact Steve Claxton on 07967 032626.
SUN 30 URBAN WEEKENDERS, 10 am – 1pm. Join DWT’s Urban Team on a regular work party on DWT Upton Heath, on the last Sunday of every month. Meet at the Urban Wildlife Centre (BH21 3RX) & help wardens carry out conservation work on this important wildlife site. Tools & safety equipment provided. Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, sensible footwear & bring food and drinks. Families welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact Sally Wright on 01202 692033 for details or email [email protected]. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
SUN 30 THE ART OF CAPTURING NATURE THROUGH THE LENS – PHOTOGRAPHIC WOKRSHOP BY COLIN VARNELL, 10.30am – 3.30pm.Photographic workshop offering a fascinating insight into the fine art of composition, lighting and exposure, wildlife photographer, Colin Varndell, will share some all-important techniques for taking beautiful photographs in nature. Price: £50 pp including lunch. Bookings required. Bookings required. Book your place online or call 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, DT2 0EQ
SUN 30 CHESIL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR 10am – 4pm. Join us at the Chesil Beach Centre & ‘shop for wildlife’. We will have local art & craft stalls, binocular specialists ‘Opticron’, wildlife books for all ages, nature toys, beautiful gifts for the home & much more. Indulge in a mince pie & some mulled wine from the Taste* café while the children are entertained by our ‘green’ Father Christmas or by making wild Christmas decorations. All profits from our shop go back into conservation.The Chesil Beach Centre. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XE. [SY 668 755]. Tel: 01305 206191.
