FRI 4 GLOW-WORMS & THEIR NATURAL HISTORY AS A COMMUNITY PROJECT, an illustrated talk by Peter Bright, Somerset Wildlife Trust. 7.30pm, Bridport United Church Hall, East Street, Bridport. Suggested donation £2 (incl. refreshments), £3 for non-members.
SAT 5 CATERPILLAR KIDS – HEDGEHOGS, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Why are they so spiky? Discover the mini ‘hogs’ of the hedgerow – what they eat, why they hibernate & a reminder to check those bonfires! 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 5 – SUN 20 “MY WILDLIFE” ART EXHIBITION 10am – 4pm daily. The Chesil Beach Centre will be hosting a two week “My Wildlife” art exhibition; come along & see how nature has inspired different artists. FREE EVENT. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
TUES 8 BIODIVERSITY IN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT, a presentation by Sarah Williams, Biodiversity Catchment Specialist from Wessex Water about her work on the biodiversity of Poole Harbour catchment & some West Somerset reservoir catchments. 7.30pm, Carter Community School, Blandford Close, Poole BH15 4BQ.
SAT 12 LINO PRINTMAKING WORKSHOP Create your own exciting designs learning simple techniques using the natural world as inspiration, with Sarah Morrish. D £80. Includes materials. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
SAT 12 & SUN 13 HEDGELAYING COURSE 10am – 4pm. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust for a weekend learning the traditional skill of hedgelaying. Day 1: theory & practical. Day 2: practical. All tools & safety equipment provided. £25 per person per day. Course will be based from the Urban Wildlife Centre, Corfe Mullen, with transport provided to the site. Max 8 people per day – BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01202 692033 or [email protected].
SUN 13 LINO PRINT CHRISTMAS CARDS What better than to design & print your own Christmas cards using this dynamic form of print-making, with Sarah Morrish. D £80. Includes materials. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684.The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
SUN 13 WINTER STORM SEASHORE SCAVENGERS, 11am – 12.30pm. Walk along Chesil Beach, hunting for rare pink sea fans, shark eggcases and other treasures blown in from the Atlantic during the winter storms. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. 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.
MON 14 – THUR 17 WILLOW WORKSHOP Discover the ancient craft of willow weaving whilst you enjoy making traditional baskets to take home, with Norah Kennedy. R £389 NR £269. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ. www.kingcombe.org.
MON 14 LIVING CHURCHYARDS, an illustrated talk by Sharron Abbott. 2.30pm, Langton Matravers Village Hall. Visitors welcome.
WED 16 FILM NIGHT: BLANDFORD OTTERS & BLANDFORD KINGFISHERS, two short films by local film maker Dudley Higginson. 7.30pm, Fontmell Magna Village Hall (SP7 0JU). £2 (incl. refreshments); no charge for children under 16.
WED 16 AMPHIBIANS & REPTILES, a talk by Gary Powell, Senior Reserves Manager, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. 7.30pm, Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne, DT9 3NL. £2.50 for both members & non-members.
THUR 17 FROM STUDLAND TO BARTON – PUSHING AWAY & HOLDING BACK THE SEA FOR THE LAST 65 MILLION YEARS, an illustrated talk by Prof. Vincent May. 7.30pm, Christchurch Baptist Church Hall, Bargates, corner of Beaconsfield Road, Christchurch.£2 incl. coffee & biscuits.
FRI 18 ABOUT HEDGEHOGS (plus a couple of live ones), a talk by DWT Community Conservation Officer, Briony Baxter. 7.30pm in the Quarterjack Suite, Allendale Community Centre, Hanham Rd, Wimborne.
FRI 18 FESTIVE WILLOW MORNING WORKSHOP Stars, garlands, reindeer & more on this fun crafty Christmas workshop with Norah Kennedy. D £49. Includes materials. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684.The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
FRI 18 – SUN 20 WILLOW BASKET MAKING WEEKEND Discover the ancient craft of willow weaving whilst you enjoy making traditional baskets to take home, with Richard & Suzanne Kerwood. R £279, NR £199. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
WED 23 USE OF LIDAR TO MAP THE NEW FOREST ARCHAEOLOGY, Joint DWT/Nat Trust meeting. 2.30pm, Methodist Church Hall, Lymington Road, HIGHCLIFFE. £2.50entry incl. coffee & biscuits. Use Wortley Road public car park.
THUR 24 BATS & THEIR HABITS, an illustrated talk by Nick Tomlinson. 7.30pm, Methodist Church, North Street, Wareham. Visitors welcome.
SAT 26 FESTIVE FELT Create your own handmade fabulous felt decorations for your tree & home including robins, baubles & more, with Carla Taylor. D £80. Includes materials. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
SUN 27 FESTIVE WILLOW Create your own hand made willow decorations for your home & tree on this fun one day workshop, with Kim Creswell. D £85. Includes materials. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
SUN 27 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 and 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 27 CHESIL CHRISTMAS FAYRE, 10am – 4pm. Come & support your local wildlife by Christmas shopping with us. We will have local art & craft stalls, 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, so join us at the Chesil Centre & ‘shop for wildlife’. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
TUES 29 BEAVERS IN DEVON – RESTORING WETLANDS THE NATURAL WAY, an illustrated talk by Mark Elliott, CEnv. MCIEEM, Devon Beaver Project Lead, Devon Wildlife Trust. 2.30pm, Woodmead Hall, Lyme Regis. Joint meeting with The Lyme Regis Society
