Two sculptural seats have been created for Buxford Meadow adjacent to Singleton Lake. Bill Hudson an artist from Kent has created the green oak benches. Using branding techniques Bill recreated images of local wildlife drawn by young people from the Ashford North Youth Centre. The seats overlook the meadow, lake and woodland and will encourage local people to sit and take in the relaxing views throughout the spring and summer. In the meantime young people from the Youth Centre will get a chance to see and use the benches when they use the area for a course in outdoor survival skills.

Bruce Williams, an artist based in Whitstable, has been busily constructing a wildlife mural in the vicinity of the International Passenger Station. Young people from the Ashford North School helped one afternoon to paint the mural and add their own images of wildlife. The mural reflecting local wildlife and views of the Kent Downs, a landscape enjoyed by many whilst travelling on the Eurostar train from Ashford, will certainly brighten up a rather dull area of the riverside!

Get Walking!

Events, activities, news and maps are all listed on the Ashford Green Corridor website. A special page has been set up for the public to record sightings of local wildlife. The recording form is simple and easy to use and a listing of wildlife already seen is also available. A feedback form is now available on the website. If you would like us to add further information about urban wildlife or urban greenspaces please let us know using the feedback form or contact us by telephone. If your group or school would like to add to the website please contact the Ashford Green Corridor Officer.

Summer activities

Events held over the summer holidays ensured children ventured out into the Ashford Green Corridor. Excitement ran high as children joined the Kent Bat Group for a night-time discovery of bats living in the Boys Hall area. During more day light hours children took part in a bug hunt; learnt about two rare species that inhabit the River Great Stour (water voles and white-clawed crayfish) and discovered how dragonflies and damselflies live and survive. On each of these occasions, under the direction of Whole Hog Celebratory Arts Company, children were able to make the creatures concerned out of objects often put out as household rubbish! In the spirit of creativity children spent one afternoon viewing Victoria Park through a lens, snapping their own interpretations of wildlife as a potential scenic and artistic backdrop. Bird box making at Buxford meadow on a subsequent date, required a more technical form of design, whilst a combined Treasure Hunt race allowed release of physical energy!!