Events

Wildlife Explorers Day 2011
This was held on Sunday 17th July at Chalkhills and despite several heavy downpours it was again a very successful event. Twelve children and some of their parents came along and they took part in various activities around the farm. They gathered a variety of flowers from the flower-rich fields and mounted them on cards and identified them.

 They caught (and released) lots of invertebrates, using different trapping techniques. This was followed by studying the characteristics of soil, which involved water and of course getting quite messy!

After a sociable picnic lunch, everyone was enthralled by a talk and hands-on demonstration by Rod D’Ayala who had brought his wonderful collection of reptiles for the children to see. The top exhibits (which were only handled by Rod himself of course!) was a pair of young adders. These are very rare now in Oxfordshire and are in decline across the whole of Europe.  The activities finished finally with Snail Racing – always a favourite. It brings out the latent competitiveness in us all (but not in all the snails unfortunately!)
Please get in touch with our Secretary (see Contacts) if you would like to be mailed with details of future Explorer Days.

Hardwick Hay Meadow Walk 2011

On Sunday 3rd July, James Norman, who farms organically at Hardwick Estate, and 2 WoTHabs members, led a guided walk round the 40 acre field which was just ready for cutting for seed-gathering and then hay-making. It was alive with invertebrates and although some of the early-flowering species had gone to seed, there was still plenty of colour from the clovers, meadow buttercups, meadowsweet and bedstraw. The visitors found the walk fascinating and informative.

Spring Walk 2011
On Sunday 27th March, about 20 visitors enjoyed two guided walks at Chalkhills to view the abundant hairy violets on the chalk downland and to see the results of the working parties held at the top of the Basin during past winters (see Working Parties tab). It was a glorious afternoon and the views from the top of the hill looking south over the Thames were brilliant.

Cowslip Day 2010
Despite the early rain and the biting cold wind, Cowslip Day at Chalkhills on Sunday 2nd May was enjoyed by a fair number of undaunted visitors, from the village and further afield. The tractor and trailer carried excited youngsters and their families up the track to the cowslip bank from where they could walk to the viewpoint overlooking the Thames.The cowslips were flowering in great profusion, catching up after the late spring.
Everyone enjoyed the tea and cakes served in the shelter of the barn. Nearly 20 children took up the ‘Up in the Air’ challenge and discovered that stag beetles can fly but woodlice can’t!
Many thanks to everyone who came along and made it all worthwhile and to hear your kind words afterwards, saying how much you had enjoyed the event.


Whitchurch Village Fete 2010
Following our long-standing tradition, WoThabs ran a children's activity on our stall at the very successful village fete on Saturday 4th September - this year's challenge was making ‘What Am I?' Wheels. It did need a little local wildlife and plant knowledge and careful handling. We were fairly quiet what with all the alternative activities on offer, but those children who made the wheels looked delighted with their handiwork. Our sales of home-made crabapple jelly went very well too.

Please check the 'WoTHabs Diary' page for the full details of our forthcomig events which are posted as soon as they are finalised.