The event began with the announcement that Jill Hillman was the winner of our New Logo Competition. Congratulations to Jill for a great entry (soon to grace this web site). Jill wins a superb large wooden garden snail that stands about 3 feet (1 metre) tall. The snail was crafted by Leo Wirtz and we thank him for his generous and unique gift. Further congratulations must go to Amelia Cobb and Samuel Cobb the two runners up for the Logo Competition who received colourful and informative nature workbooks.
Throughout the day there were activities for the young, the not so young and those in between. Jacky Good helped by Steve Wilson led 3 sessions for pond dipping, in effect a continuous activity. Thank you Jacky and Steve. There was a continuous stream of children bringing back their finds for identification, cataloging and photographing. You can see the photos on this page.
Audrey Brown led two Butterfly Counts and once again, Dr. John Austin led a Bird Walk. And on the previous evening Roger Beckett led a Moth Hunt. We hope to have photos later. Thank you to Audrey, John and Roger for their contribution to the event.
Our thanks to Steve Good who led the ever popular nature inspired crafts and also thanks to Cheryl Roberts from Tesco who helped. Children delighted in making mobiles that hung from inside the gazebos. There are some photos below.
Local artist Jill Hillman spent the whole afternoon running an art workshop using a variety of mediums to capture the beauty of Biss Meadows. The booklets will be scan and shown on this web site before too long along with the name of the winner of best. Our thanks for Jill and her husband Rob for running this well attended workshop and for providing the materials. Photos will be added on the Art Workshop page soon.
Led by Ashley Wicks led a Nature Quest and photos will follow. Thank you Ashley not just for this item but for managing the whole day.
Alan Cooper with the able help of Josh on the keyboard, manned the Spotters desk where people could bring their nature specimens (actual or photographs) for identification and for adding to our Spotters Database. We had hoped to do that live but the wifi signal was too weak for a reliable connection. But we were able to print certificates in a variety of designs to record what people had found. And the photos are now on our Flickr page and can be seen here.
The raffle stall had probably over 25 good prizes including wine, chocolates and toys. Always popular, this stall brought much needed funds to help with further activities. Thank you to Pete Barnett who manned this stall that also served refreshments. A big thank you of course to all who donated prizes, including Alan, Janet, Lloyd, Jacky, Wiltshire Flag, Tesco.
We would also like to thank all the people who made donations in the white buckets to help our funds, especially the anonymous and generous gift of £20. If you would like to make a donation, then you can now do that online at our Donation page. Thank you.
Alan Cooper displayed his now completed finger post (see photo below). This will be used at various events to advertise the group. Its next outing is on 7th August when we will have a stand at Tesco's Community Day.
To make such an event needs preparation. Ashley managed the planning of the event supported by Jacky. On the day we had numerous people help to set things up and of course pack up at the end of the day. Pete Barnett put all the directional signs all round including in the park. Alan Pollock also did a great job of litter picking in the morning.
Janet helped to set up the 4 gazebos along with Peter, Alan and Steve and even a passer by helped. Many thanks to Geoff Wicks for collecting them from Trowbridge Council, and then collecting them in the evening to return on Monday. Thank you to Trowbridge Council & Doug Ross of TCAF for the loan of their gazebos and tables, and to Roger Beckett for the loan of his generator.
So a great team effort made it all worthwhile with the good turnout and the children especially delighted. Maybe there will be photos in the Wiltshire Times as Kevin their reported was there.
Appologies if anyone who helped has been missed off. Email the webmaster and I will amend.
Below are general photos of the day. Click on a photo to view a larger image. Use your browser back button to return. You can also click to see the Spotted photos and to see the Art Workshop photos.