Dipping
and Diving in
South Willesborough
A wild and wonderful time was had by one and all on Tuesday 12th
August, when an enthusiastic group of children and their parents came pond
dipping in
South Willesborough
, and then made collages of beasts that live in or near ponds.
The event was organised by the Kentish Stour Countryside Project, as part
of a series of free events in the Ashford Green Corridor that celebrate
the importance of green and ‘wild’ spaces in Ashford, for the wildlife
and for the people that live there. It
kicked off with a brief talk by Project Officer Diane Comley, introducing
the youngsters to the range of creatures that live in ponds, from
microscopic beasties to larger animals like marsh frogs and newts.
Then the children enjoyed a bit of pond dipping, learning how to carefully
net the creatures and identifying what they found (with a little bit of
help from mums and dads)!
After the dipping there was quite a bit of diving, as artist Nikki
Dennington got everyone involved in a wild and very windy collage making
project. All the different
materials that were brought along to make the collages took to the air on
frequent occasions. It kept everyone on their toes, and made the finished
artworks masterpieces in more ways than one!
Safari at
Singleton
Lake
Another equally enjoyable time was had by the participants of the
photography workshop which took place on Wednesday 13th August.
The event took place at
Singleton
Lake
and Buxford Meadow, which are located at the western end of Ashford’s
Green Corridor, on a day that was described as being ‘full
of weather’! Project
Officer Diane Comley, who is also a qualified photography teacher, joined
the energetic and enthusiastic participants, whose age ranged from 7 –
60+, sheltering under the trees when it rained, then out in the sun
minutes later.
Everyone received basic instruction on using their own digital camera,
creating interesting compositions and how to appreciate and approach
wildlife photography on their doorstep.
Then they went out on safari, capturing images of wildlife (both
plant and animal), in the different habitat areas … the lake, meadow,
pond, stream and woods. A
selection of these photographs will be posted on the Ashford Green
Corridor website shortly (www.ashfordgreencorridor.org.uk)
All remaining events in August are fully booked. But please keep an eye on
our website for upcoming activities, such as the Orchard Day which will be
taking place 20th September in Gas House Fields Community
Orchard. Or telephone 01233 813307 /
Email: kentishstour@kent.gov.uk.
