Events Key to Events:
Green: Practical Conservation volunteer projects Conservation
Orange: Guided walks for health and to explore the park
Blue: Guided walks for wildlife
Pink: Kids' events
Black: All other events
Health Walks 
Throughout the Year. Health walks, in the company of a trained leader take place every Wednesday at 10.30am. (Most walks start at Forest Centre Reception but some start elsewhere - see notice board or ring 01234 767037 to confirm). Walks are free and open to everyone.
Walking could change your life! Walk at your own pace under the guidance of a trained health walk leader and enjoy the many benefits that walking can bring. Our regular walks are part of a county-wide walking scheme - Walk 4 Health in Bedfordshire, run from the Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity offices in Tebworth. To find out if there is a walk happening near where you are, contact Mike Fayers, the Healthy Walking Manager on 01767 626453 or email mikef@bedsrcc.org.uk
Or visit the web site www.walk4health.org
Sunday Stroll
4 July at 10.30am
A Gentle Sunday Walk
Come and join us in the Country Park for a gentle walk to hear how the Park was set up and a little about the surrounding area.
The walk will keep to hard surfaced tracks in the Park which are mostly level but have short sections of gradient up to 1:9.
Call 01234 767037 for more details.
Cost £1, payable on the day - no need to book. Meet at reception. Walks last approximately 2 hours.
Why not finish the morning off with lunch in our Forest Centre Restaurant? Call 01234 767037 for details.
Conservation Task
Sunday 18th July at 10.15am
Otter Survey
Join our volunteer team to do something for the environment, get some exercise and have fun. We carry out a variety of practical projects throughout the Vale. Wear old clothes and bring lunch. Back by popular demand, training in otter survey techniques at three locations around the Country Park. Please wear wellies and bring binoculars if you have them.
Meet at the Forest Centre - finishes about 4.15pm.
For further details contact stephen.gascoyne@marstonvale.org or 01234 762614.
Wake up to Wildlife!
Sunday 18th July 2pm to 4pm
At Duck End Nature Reserve, Moore Lane, Maulden. Grid reference: TL 051374
Follow Moor lane and when the road forks, stay right. field gate on your right opposite the allotments (limited parking)
Fun discovery activities for young people (children must be acompanied by an adult)
Come along and join the Bedfordshire Natural History Society hunting for bugs, searching in ponds, meeting the trees and discovering small mammmals.
Free event. Please ring Erika on 01525 378101 if you would like more information
Brilliant Butterflies
At the Forest Centre
Friday 30th July 2010 10am — 12.45pm
Fun, facts and craft. Event aimed at 4-10 year olds but materials provided for younger kids to draw.
3 Sessions: 10am, 11am and Noon - 30 children per session. All materials provided. £2 per child.
When booking please specify names and ages of children, name of adult attending and contact phone number in case there are any changes.
Ring 01234 767037 or email info@marstonvale.org for more details or to book your place.
Musical Minis Taster Session
At the Forest Centre
Friday 30th July 11.30am
Musical Minis is a fun time music group for children from birth to five years. Our structured sessions are aimed at encouraging child development, the sessions include action songs, a wide range of instuments, stories, scarves and nursery rhymes, which help to improve and develop communication and co-ordination skills. All music has been especially recorded so it can be followed at a pace suitable for young children. Sessions have been run in the Bedford area for over 7 years and Classes are held in Turvey, Bromham, Bedford, Biddenham and Lower Shelton. Each sesssion costs £3.80 and there is a lifetime memebership fee of £10 which covers the cost of insurance, and all children receive a tee shirt and book bag.
To find out more information or to book a session please email www.musicalminis.co.uk or ring Lisa/Jane on 01234 304800.
Sunday Stroll
1 August at 10.30am
A Gentle Sunday Walk
Come and join us in the Country Park for a gentle walk to hear how the Park was set up and a little about the surrounding area.
The walk will keep to hard surfaced tracks in the Park which are mostly level but have short sections of gradient up to 1:9.
Call 01234 767037 for more details.
Cost £1, payable on the day - no need to book. Meet at reception. Walks last approximately 2 hours.
Why not finish the morning off with lunch in our Forest Centre Restaurant? Call 01234 767037 for details.
Mini Beast Detectives
At the Forest Centre
Monday 9th August 2010 10am to 11.30am & 1pm to 2.30pm
Outdoor adventure. Outdoor boots and jacket required! Walk aimed at 4-10 year olds but trails good for push chairs and younger kids.
2 sessions - 25 children per session. All materials provided. £2 per child.
When booking please specify names and ages of children, name of adult attending and contact phone number in case there are any changes.
Ring 01234 767037 or email info@marstonvale.org for more details or to book your place.
Clay Creatures
At the Forest Centre
Friday 20th August 2010 10am — 12.45pm
Fun, facts and messy craft! Event aimed at 4-10 year olds but materials provided for younger kids to draw.
3 Sessions: 10am, 11am and Noon - 30 children per session. All materials provided. £2 per child.
When booking please specify names and ages of children, name of adult attending and contact phone number in case there are any changes.
Ring 01234 767037 or email info@marstonvale.org for more details or to book your place.
Conservation Task
Saturday 21 August at 10.15am
Wetland island working.
Join our volunteer team to do something for the environment, get some exercise and have fun. We carry out a variety of practical projects throughout the Vale. Wear old clothes and bring lunch. We will be taking the boats out to the wetland islands to cut back vegetation and make space for nesting birds. You must be able to swim to attend this task.
Meet at the Forest Centre - finishes about 4.15pm.
For further details contact stephen.gascoyne@marstonvale.org or 01234 762614.
The festival of woodland, wood products and roots music!
11am to 5pm
Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th September 2010
lumberjacks, falconry, basket weaving, wood turning, live music and much more!
Sunday Stroll
5 September at 10.30am
A Gentle Sunday Walk
Come and join us in the Country Park for a gentle walk to hear how the Park was set up and a little about the surrounding area.
The walk will keep to hard surfaced tracks in the Park which are mostly level but have short sections of gradient up to 1:9.
Call 01234 767037 for more details.
Cost £1, payable on the day - no need to book. Meet at reception. Walks last approximately 2 hours.
Why not finish the morning off with lunch in our Forest Centre Restaurant? Call 01234 767037 for details.
ROOTS, SHOOTS, FLOWERS & FROOTS
Froots!
Sunday 12th September
2pm to 4.30pm
Herbal medicine talk and guided walk, the forth of four walks
Led by Maggie Haworth, Medical Herbalist.
Meeting at 2pm in the Forest Centre Café for a short introduction to Herbal Medicine - what to collect when etc - i.e. collecting shoots during the & then on a walk (actual walking time 1 1/2 hours) collect wild fruits and work with what is collected.
The aim is that people learn which plants they can use to make herbal medicines, the right time for harvesting & how to make simple herbal remedies.
£5 per person (£2.50 goes as a donation to the forest of Marston Vale) Children can attend for free.
Maximum of 20 people so please book early to avoid disappointment. Please call reception to book your place. 01234 767 037
Conservation Task
Sunday 19th September at 10.15am
Hay raking
Join our volunteer team to do something for the environment, get some exercise and have fun. We carry out a variety of practical projects throughout the Vale. Wear old clothes and bring lunch. Working in little meadow and bramble meadow to encourage wildflowers.
Meet at the Forest Centre - finishes about 4.15pm.
For further details contact stephen.gascoyne@marstonvale.org or 01234 762614.
Sunday Stroll
3 October at 10.30am
A Gentle Sunday Walk
Come and join us in the Country Park for a gentle walk to hear how the Park was set up and a little about the surrounding area.
The walk will keep to hard surfaced tracks in the Park which are mostly level but have short sections of gradient up to 1:9.
Call 01234 767037 for more details.
Cost £1, payable on the day - no need to book. Meet at reception. Walks last approximately 2 hours.
Why not finish the morning off with lunch in our Forest Centre Restaurant? Call 01234 767037 for details.
Fungal Foray
Sunday 10th October
10am to 12.30pm Or 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Alan Outen, County Recorder for Fungi, will be leading these two fungal forays. No prior knowledge is necessary but sturdy boots and outdoor clothing is recommended. Meeting at the Forest Centre reception. Places are free but limited to 25 people per walk. Please sign up at reception. In partnership with the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Fungi Group and the Bedfordshire Natural History Society.
To book call 01234 767037 or email stephen.gascoyne@marstonvale.org
Conservation Task
Saturday 23 October at 10.15am
Dead hedging round Stewartby Lake
Join our volunteer team to do something for the environment, get some exercise and have fun. We carry out a variety of practical projects throughout the Vale. Wear old clothes and bring lunch. Learn how to weave branches together to make a woven dead hedge and open up the footpath around Stewartby Lake
Meet at the Forest Centre - finishes about 4.15pm.
For further details contact stephen.gascoyne@marstonvale.org or 01234 762614.
Bananas about Bats
At the Forest Centre
Friday 29th October 2010 10am — 12.45pm
Fun, facts and craft. Event aimed at 4-10 year olds but materials provided for younger kids to draw.
3 Sessions: 10am, 11am and Noon - 30 children per session. All materials provided. £2 per child.
When booking please specify names and ages of children, name of adult attending and contact phone number in case there are any changes.
Ring 01234 767037 or email info@marstonvale.org for more details or to book your place.
Sunday Stroll
7 November at 10.30am
A Gentle Sunday Walk
Come and join us in the Country Park for a gentle walk to hear how the Park was set up and a little about the surrounding area.
The walk will keep to hard surfaced tracks in the Park which are mostly level but have short sections of gradient up to 1:9.
Call 01234 767037 for more details.
Cost £1, payable on the day - no need to book. Meet at reception. Walks last approximately 2 hours.
Why not finish the morning off with lunch in our Forest Centre Restaurant? Call 01234 767037 for details.
Conservation Task
Sunday 21 November at 10.15am
Creating Hazel Coppice
Join our volunteer team to do something for the environment, get some exercise and have fun. We carry out a variety of practical projects throughout the Vale. Wear old clothes and bring lunch. Working in eleven oaks glade to clear areas and create more light for the ground flora, also planting hazel whips to create our own hazel coppice.
Meet at the Forest Centre - finishes about 4.15pm.
For further details contact stephen.gascoyne@marstonvale.org or 01234 762614.
Sunday Stroll
5 December at 10.30am
A Gentle Sunday Walk
Come and join us in the Country Park for a gentle walk to hear how the Park was set up and a little about the surrounding area.
The walk will keep to hard surfaced tracks in the Park which are mostly level but have short sections of gradient up to 1:9.
Call 01234 767037 for more details.
Cost £1, payable on the day - no need to book. Meet at reception. Walks last approximately 2 hours.
Why not finish the morning off with lunch in our Forest Centre Restaurant? Call 01234 767037 for details.
Conservation Task
Saturday 11 December at 10.15am
Cutting and burning Hawthorn Scrub
Join our volunteer team to do something for the environment, get some exercise and have fun. We carry out a variety of practical projects throughout the Vale. Wear old clothes and bring lunch. Working on our county wildlife site by the edge of Stewartby lake, cutting back and burning hawthorn to encourage flowers for the dingy skipper butterfly.
Meet at the Forest Centre - finishes about 4.15pm.
For further details contact stephen.gascoyne@marstonvale.org or 01234 762614.
Christmas Robins
At the Forest Centre
Monday 20th December 2010 10am — 12.45pm
Fun, facts and craft. Event aimed at 4-10 year olds but materials provided for younger kids to draw.
3 Sessions: 10am, 11am and Noon - 30 children per session. All materials provided. £2 per child.
When booking please specify names and ages of children, name of adult attending and contact phone number in case there are any changes.
Ring 01234 767037 or email info@marstonvale.org for more details or to book your place.
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