Tuesday 28 February 2012

Watch Wildwood on Dick and Dom!

     

Dick and Dom Go Wild! Featuring Wildwood From Monday 27th Feb CBBC

Watch Wildwood in the new series of Dick and Dom Go Wild!
Wildwood's animals are set to appear in the new CBBC series of Dick and Dom Go Wild! The series, which begins on Monday 27th February, features the comedy duo visiting some of the UK's busiest wildlife centres to encourage children to get more involved with wildlife.
Dick and Dom Go Wild! will air from Monday to Friday for 4 weeks, and features Wildwood's animals in a whopping 9 episodes. A wide range of Wildwood's are set to appear in the new series, from beavers and wolves, to horses, snakes and polecats.
The filming, which took part at Wildwood in 2011, caused quite a stir at the park as lucky visitors where able to meet the boys as they filmed around the park. Press Officer, Fiona Paterson said "It's always great to welcome film crews to Wildwood and it's especially fun to have Dick and Dom here, we know how popular they are with our visitors."
Wildwood's chief executive said "It's great to be included in this brilliant series, our aim at Wildwood is to engage people with British Wildlife and I can't think of a better way to get kids interested in than with the help of Dick and Dom".
Dick and Dom Go Wild! begins on Monday 27th Feb, at 7.45am on CBBC.

Wildwood will feature in the following episodes:
Episode 1: Monday 27th of February – The boys meet our konik horses
Episode 5: Friday 2nd March – Dick and Dom help out at the beaver enclosure
Episode 7: Tues 6th March – Dick and Dom learn about bison, help vet check a deer, fly a tawny owl and meet Paddy the polecat (pictured above).
Episode 8: Weds 7th March – The boys get messy in the wild boar enclosure
Episode 9: Thurs 8th March – Dick and Dom are raving about ravens
Episode 11: Mon 12th March – There's fun in store as Dick makes friends with Wildwood's brown rats
Episode 13: Weds 14th March – The boys meet our wolves and bison
Episode 14: Thurs 15th March – Dick and Dom become beekeepers at Wildwood
Episode 20: Friday 23rd March – Dick and Dom help some wildlife-shy girls to love our native creatures and meet a snake, a badger and a bat.

*********end***************

Fiona Paterson
Marketing & Press officer
Wildwood Trust


Registered Charity No 1093702
Wildwood Trust is Kent's unique 'Woodland Discovery Park', a visitor attraction with a difference.
Wildwood is not only the best place to bring the family for a day out, but it is also a bold and innovative new charity, backed by the UK's leading wildlife conservationists. As a new charity Wildwood needs everyone's support in its mission to save our native and once native wildlife from extinction.
Wildwood Trust's vision is to bring back our true 'wildwood', a unique new way of restoring Britain's land to its natural state. This involves releasing large wild herbivores and developing conservation grazing systems to restore natural ecological processes to help Britain team with wildlife again.
The Wildwood 'Woodland Discovery Park' is an ideal day out for all the family where you can see an amazing range of with British Wildlife in near natural enclosures. Wildwood offers its members and visitors a truly inspirational way to learn about the natural history of Britain by actually seeing the wildlife that once lived here.
Set in a sublime 38 acres of Ancient Woodland, Wildwood offers visitors a truly unique experience. Come Nose to Nose with our secretive badgers, experience what it is like to be hunted by a real live pack of wolves, watch a charging wild boar or track down a beaver in his lodge.
Wildwood Trust runs a highly successful programme of Conservation Projects - we are the UK's leading experts in rescuing and re-establishing colonies of Britain's most threatened mammal, the water vole. Wildwood Trust has pioneered the use of ancient wild horses to restore nature reserve. Wildwood Trust has been at the forefront of efforts to re-establish the European Beaver back in Britain where they belong. European Beaver have been proven to help manage water ways to bring back a huge range of plants, insects and animals.

Thursday 23 February 2012

Wildwood Game Sausage & Mash Night - 8th March

     

Game Sausage & Mash night at Wildwood - 8th March

Back by popular demand.... Wildwood Game Sausage & Mash night  with Godmersham Game

Thursday 8th March 7.15pm

Wildwood is delighted to announce that we shall be hosting a special Game Sausage & Mash night on Thursday the 8th March:

Menu

Homemade Godmersham Game broth

A trio of Godmersham Game sausages with creamy mash and rich onion gravy

Home made apple crumble

Coffees

 

 Also on the night...

Mini night tour to see Wildwood's fallow deer and wild boar 
Short talk on game from Phil Miles, owner of Godmersham Game
A talk from Jeff Handy,  regional director of the National Gamekeepers' Organisation on the role of gamekeepers in maintaining balance in the countryside/deer and boar management.
An opportunity to stock up on tasty game from the Godmersham Game stall

 

Tickets on sale now at £17 each

As Wildwood is an unlicensed venue this is a Bring Your Own event.

Sorry, there is no vegetarian alternative.

 

To book please call 01227 712 111

 

 

Wildwood in Dick and Dom's new CBBC series

Wildwood features in new series of Dick and Dom!

 

Wildwood's animals are set to appear in the new CBBC series of Dick and Dom Go Wild! The series, which begins on Monday 27th February, features the comedy duo visiting some of the UK's busiest wildlife centres to encourage children to get more involved with wildlife.

 

Dick and Dom Go Wild! will air from Monday to Friday for 4 weeks, and features Wildwood's animals in a whopping 9 episodes. A wide range of Wildwood's are set to appear in the new series, from beavers and wolves, to horses, snakes and polecats.

 

The filming, which took part at Wildwood in 2011, caused quite a stir at the park as lucky visitors where able to meet the boys as they filmed around the park. Press Officer, Fiona Paterson said "It's always great to welcome film crews to Wildwood and it's especially fun to have Dick and Dom here, we know how popular they are with our visitors."

 

Wildwood's chief executive said "It's great to be included in this brilliant series, our aim at Wildwood is to engage people with British Wildlife and I can't think of a better way to get kids interested in than with the help of Dick and Dom".

 

 

 Dick and Dom Go Wild! begins on Monday 27th Feb, at 0745am on CBBC.

 

Wildwood will feature in the following episodes:

 

Episode 1: Monday 27th of February – 'Konik horses'

Episode 5: Friday 2nd March – 'Beaver'

Episode 7: Tues 6th March – William and Josh at Wildwood (Bison, deer vet check, tawny owl fly) + 'Polecat'

Episode 8: Weds 7th March – 'Wild boar'

Episode 9: Thurs 8th March – 'Raven'

Episode 11: Mon 12th March – 'Rat'

Episode 13: Weds 14th March – Wolves' and 'Bison'

Episode 14: Thurs 15th March – 'Bees'

Episode 20: Friday 23rd March – Sarah & Leah at Wildwood (snakes, badger & bat)

 

*********end***************

 

Fiona Paterson
Marketing & Press officer
Wildwood Trust

e-mail:
fiona@wildwoodtrust.org
Tel: 01227 712111
www.wildwoodtrust.org

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Wildwood Trust
Herne Common
Herne Bay
Kent
CT6 7LQ

Registered Charity No 1093702

 

Wildwood Trust is Kent's unique 'Woodland Discovery Park', a visitor attraction with a difference.

 

Wildwood is not only the best place to bring the family for a day out, but it is also a bold and innovative new charity, backed by the UK's leading wildlife conservationists. As a new charity Wildwood needs everyone's support in its mission to save our native and once native wildlife from extinction.

 

Wildwood Trust's vision is to bring back our true 'wildwood', a unique new way of restoring Britain's land to its natural state. This involves releasing large wild herbivores and developing conservation grazing systems to restore natural ecological processes to help Britain team with wildlife again.

 

The Wildwood 'Woodland Discovery Park' is an ideal day out for all the family where you can see an amazing range of with British Wildlife in near natural enclosures. Wildwood offers its members and visitors a truly inspirational way to learn about the natural history of Britain by actually seeing the wildlife that once lived here.

 

Set in a sublime 38 acres of Ancient Woodland, Wildwood offers visitors a truly unique experience. Come Nose to Nose with our secretive badgers, experience what it is like to be hunted by a real live pack of wolves, watch a charging wild boar or track down a beaver in his lodge.

 

Wildwood Trust runs a highly successful programme of Conservation Projects - we are the UK's leading experts in rescuing and re-establishing colonies of Britain's most threatened mammal, the water vole. Wildwood Trust has pioneered the use of ancient wild horses to restore nature reserve. Wildwood Trust has been at the forefront of efforts to re-establish the European Beaver back in Britain where they belong. European Beaver have been proven to help manage water ways to bring back a huge range of plants, insects and animals.

 

 

Monday 20 February 2012

SAVE THE BEAVER TODAY!

 

SAVE THE BEAVER TODAY!

Can you join me today and save the 'Free' Beavers of Scotland? I desperately need you to write an e-mail or letter to the Scottish Environment Minister and ask him to not kill over 100 beavers living wild and free on the River Tay. [Scroll to the bottom of the page where I have included my some tips and  e-mail  & address, although it is better to use your own words]

 

We know the Minister will make a decision to either kill or protect the beaver in the next 2 weeks. In the last month there has been a furious campaign by powerful lobby groups trying to force the Minister to eradicate the beavers. There have been the most appalling stories placed in Scottish newspapers from gamekeeper and hunting groups hell bent on the destruction of these wonderful animals. The only thing that will protect these beavers is those of us who love beaver to take a stand and tell the Minister we support the beaver.

 

If we act today we can Save the Beaver

Why are Beavers so important?

Beavers are the most important animal to the rivers of our wonderful country. Beavers are a 'keystone' species and their marvellous management of riverbanks helps create a home for a huge range of other wildlife.

 

Since we hunted beavers to extinction in the UK about 400 years ago our rivers and streams have been much the poorer. Riverbank animals like otters, water voles, dragonflies and kingfishers have all suffered in their absence.

 

Beavers create wetlands and these wetlands act as a giant sponge helping to retain and purify water, prevent pollution, reducing flooding and helping reduce the cost of water our water bills. A study in Germany estimated that every beaver was worth about £2,500 in reduced water bills and benefits to the people who lived nearby them.

 

 

What are the free beavers?

A population of free beaver has grown on the River Tay over the last 10 years, living wild and free.  There is a good chance these beaver were actually legally imported by Wildwood and quarantined at our park; this would have been just before we became a charity. Unknown to Wildwood, some of these beavers who had been given to a small zoo near the river Tay subsequently escaped.

 

These beaver have bred and most of the beavers will be now 3rd generation inhabitants of the tributaries of the River Tay. I am sure you will feel that we have a moral duty to protect these animals and join with me in efforts to save them.

 

This means the 'free' beavers are not part of the official beaver trial projects that Wildwood helps to manage with Kent Wildlife Trust at Ham Fen in Kent or the Scottish Wildlife Trust project in Knapdale in Scotland.

 

Last year the Scottish Government tried to trap the beavers and get rid of them. The first beaver, named Erica, died shortly after trapping in Edinburgh Zoo. There was a massive outcry of dismay at this poorly conceived policy and the injuries caused to this poor young animal by the mishandling of the process by those involved.

 

I myself visited Scotland at the time and later made contact with a group of ecologists who banded together to form the Scottish Wild Beaver Group, now a registered charity in Scotland. Thanks to the efforts of the Scottish Wild Beaver Group and the subsequent media outcry forced a hasty abandonment of the policy of killing the free beavers.

 

The beavers were given a one-year stay of execution while the Scottish Government reviewed the status of the Beaver. That stay of execution is now over. Please make sure the Scottish Environment minister makes the right decision and write a letter or send an e-mail to support the beaver today.

 

What can I do?

1.       Write a letter

Firstly, and most importantly,  write a letter to the Scottish Environment Minister telling him how much you value the free beaver of the Tay and that they are vital to our future river ecology. (see my letter below and information above for some help on writing a letter or sending an e-mail)

 

e-mail: MinisterForEnvironment@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

 

Our Write to:

 

Stewart Stevenson MSP,

The Scottish Parliament,

Edinburgh

EH99 1SP

 

 

2.       Join our campaign

Join our campaign – you can join the 'Save the Free Beavers of the Tay'  Facebook group and learn how to get involved in the campaign

 

Make sure you have already joined Wildwood's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Wildwood-Trust/188177837868

 

You can then search our 'friends' for the 'Save the Free Beavers of the Tay' or click this link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/freebeavers/

 

You can also sign up to e-mails on the Scottish Wild Beaver Website: http://scottishwildbeavers.org/

 

3.       Donate money to our Fighting Fund

Wildwood wants to do what it can to protect the beaver of the Tay and we need funds to assist our work, the two most important projects are funding a legal challenge and supporting campaign efforts on the ground. Visit our website for more info on making a donation: www.wildwoodtrust.org or call me on 01227 712111.

 

4.       Professional Legal Help

Are you or do you know an expert solicitor who can help us form a legal case to protect the beaver? We need expert legal advice. There is a good chance that killing the beaver is against European Law and we need expert legal advice to challenge the Scottish Government. There is already some precedent set with other European countries.

 

A very big thank you in advance for helping the 'FREE Beaver', please make sure you write your letter today.

 

Peter Smith

Chief Executive

Wildwood Trust

 

 

 

My letter to the Minister copied below:

 

 

 

Stewart Stevenson MSP,

The Scottish Parliament,

Edinburgh

EH99 1SP

 

 

Dear Minister

 

Wild Beaver on the Tay

 

Wildwood Trust & myself have been heavily involved in the study & reintroduction of Beaver, leading the campaign to reintroduce Beaver to the UK. We have helped inform the Knapdale project and have had our own demonstration project, properly licensed by DEFRA, in England since 2000.

 

I myself used to work for Scottish Wildlife Trust and as a 'partial' Scot I have followed the story of the beavers' return to Scotland with great interest.

 

Our charity was established primarily to reintroduce beaver and wild horses as conservation management tools on nature reserves.  Our charity has grown considerably since it was founded 10 years ago and now boasts over 50,000 members, which incidentally is more than Scottish Wildlife Trust.

 

Wildwood's members would be horrified by a Government decision to do any harm to the Tay beavers without a proper scientific study and a very sound legal opinion.

 

I have watched in horror over the last few months with the appalling press releases and media campaigning by the more extreme elements of landowning and hunting groups. Much of the information is of extremely poor quality and it would be a travesty of 'evidence based policy making' if you were to give it credible credence in your deliberations.

 

Unfortunately even some of the language of your own civil servants in calling our furry friends 'illegal beavers' has been worrying for many beaver supporters. The legal situation of beaver, as now 3rd generation residents of Scotland, brings a lot of complex legal issues to the fore as to their status under Scottish and European law. I myself have discussed the legal situation with a number of bodies and the legal opinions I have seen, some of which are no doubt available to yourself, are not supportive of a cull and as such would open up such a decision to legal challenge.

 

Due to the strong feelings of our members and supporters if a decision is made to cull the beaver I will have no other option than mount a legal challenge and instruct our legal team in this regard.

 

Beavers are a highly beneficial, native, wild animal. Their reintroduction has been successful all over Europe. Let us welcome the ones who have made their home on Tayside and benefit from the many advantages they bring. 

 

There is a wealth of scientific information that shows just how beavers benefit our streams and rivers and help our environment. Beaver can help cut water bills, purify water and help our rivers increase fish and wildlife populations. The arguments against beavers have little scientific validity and are from groups only concerned with narrow self-interest, the same groups that have held Scotland back from achieving its true potential for many generations.

 

Scotland needs to look forward to a new future, a future that has wildlife at the very heart of its policies. A Scotland that is rich in wildlife will be a beacon attracting the best minds to its industries, bolstering our export markets and giving a warm welcome to all of our visitors. Beaver really can help Scotland increase its wild appeal and create river habitats that are brim full of wildlife. 

 

If you can spare me half an hour I would love to visit you to answer any questions you may have about beavers and bring a team who really understand just how beaver reintroduction has worked in Europe. Ten years ago we had a similar conversation with Michael Meacher, the then Environment Secretary and our team give him all the knowledge he needed to become a supporter of beavers in the UK.

 

Beavers are truly amazing animals, please give beavers a chance. Scotland will be much the better and your decisions will bring joy and happiness to future generations.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Peter Smith BSc MSc MA MBA

Chief Executive

 

e-mail: petersmith@wildwoodtrust.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday 9 February 2012

Half term activities at Wildwood - limited space available

 

         

 

Half term is nearly here!

February half term at Wildwood

 

The February Half Term is just around the corner and spring is on it's way (we hope!) – so don't forget we have lots of exciting events at Wildwood throughout the week with fun storytelling and craft activities, as well as free talks and feeds every day around the park.

There are still a limited number of spaces available for our storytelling and craft events - so book now to avoid disapointment!

 

Sping opening hours: From Saturday 1th Feb our opening hours will be 10am - 4.30pm (last admission 3.30pm)


Every day – FREE animal talks and feeds around the park.
Check the What's On board on arrival for the day's talks and feeds.

Saturday 11th Feb- Official opening of the new Ken West Aviary
The aviary will be opened by local MP; Sir Roger Gale, and Wildwood's founding chairman; Ken West, after which the centre is named in recognition of his continued support for the Wildwood Trust and his exceptional work to protect the wildlife of Kent.

The new aviary replaces Wildwood's old Sea Bird enclosure which was the brainchild of Ken West but was badly damaged by last year's heavy snow. The new enclosure will hold rescued breeding waders and other rare seabirds. At 33 metres long and 9 metres high, the huge new aviary is the largest enclosure of its kind in Kent and has been designed and constructed to a very high standard by Wildwood's Ranger and Keeper teams to create a unique exhibit that will inspire and educate visitors to Wildwood for years to come. The official opening will be at the new aviary (next to the fallow dear enclosure) at 12pm).

 
Monday 13th Feb - Animal Stories & Shadow Puppets
Enjoy wonderful animal stories told with shadow puppets followed by a fun craft session to make your own to take home. 2-3.30pm. Min age 7yrs. £2 per person (one adult free per family). Must book.


Tuesday 14th Feb - Mask Making Fun for Under 7's
Story telling and cute animal mask making especially for little ones. With craft session to make your own animal masks to take home. 2-3.30pm. Max age 7yrs. £2 per person (one adult free per family). Must book.


Wednesday 15th Feb - A Frog's Tale - Storytelling and crafts
An exciting session of frog and pond storytelling, story making and crafts with author Jacqueline Nicoll and illustrator Pam Rees.  Hear wonderful stories and make your own crafts to take home. 2 sessions: 10.30am - 11.30am & 12pm - 1pm. Suitable for 2-12yrs. £2 per person (one adult free per family). Must book.


Thursday 16th Feb - Back-to-front Fairy Tales
Think you know fairytales? Think again! This exciting storytelling event turns fairytales on their heads with new versions of old classics and crafts to make and take home.
2pm - 3.30pm. £2 per person (one adult free per family). Must book.


Craft sessions cost £2 per person, one adult free per family (membership or entry fees must be paid by all attending). Please check listings for age restrictions and times.

To book any activity call the Wildwood office on 01227 712 111 - please note that spaces are limited!

 

Many thanks

The Wildwood Team

 

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Half term events at Wildwood

                                              

Half Term 13th-18th February - Storytelling & craft week!

The February Half Term is just around the corner - so keep your little animals amused with fun storytelling and craft activities at Wildwood, as well as free talks and feeds every day around the park.

Craft sessions cost £2 per person, one adult free per family (membership or entry fees must be paid by all attending). Please see below for age restrictions and times. 

To book any activity call the Wildwood office on 01227 712 111 - please note that spaces are limited!

February half term at Wildwood


Monday Feb 13
- Shadow Puppets & Animal Stories:  2pm - 3.30pm. Min age 7 years
Tuesday Feb 14 - Mask Making for under 7's:  2pm - 3.30pm. Max age 7 years
Wednesday Feb 15 - A Frog's Tale; storytelling & crafts with Jacqueline Nicoll and Pam Rees:  2 sessions: 10.30am-11.30am & 12pm-1pm. Suitable for all ages
Thursday 16th Feb - Back to front Fairy Tales:  2pm - 3.30pm. Suitable for all ages
Friday 17th Feb - Viking Myths & Legends:  2pm - 3.30pm. Suitable for all ages

Wildwood Trust
Tel: 01227 712 111
www.wildwoodtrust.org