Monday, 1 December 2008


Wildwood e-news December 2008
In the December edition of Wildwood's e-newsletter we have:
1.   BRITAIN'S FIRST CARBON ZERO ZOO - Wind Turbine in place
2.   MEET SANTA - Places going fast!
3.   ECO-WARRIORS VISIT WILDWOOD - Abbey students collect pine cones
4.   LATE NIGHT SHOPPING - Get those unusual Christmas gifts
5.   BEAT THE CREDIT CRUNCH & SAVE THE PLANET- make your Christmas decorations at Wildwood
6.   CHRISTMAS TREES - Lock up your carbon for Christmas
7.   HELP! - Snap boxes and computer bits needed
8.   ADOPT AN ANIMAL - Great christmas present



1.  BRITAIN'S FIRST CARBON ZERO ZOO - Wind Turbine in place
 The park has taken its final step towards becoming The UK’s first carbon zero zoo by erecting a huge wind turbine.
The wind turbine was erected on Wednesday 5th November 2008 at 2.00pm. On hand will be students from Canterbury University visiting Wildwood for a lecture on sustainable energy by local wildlife expert and Wildwood boss, Peter Smith.
The wind turbine will be the final piece in Wildwoods ‘Zero Carbon’ Project which means the popular animal park becomes completely powered by energy from sustainable sources.
Wildwood Trust’s offices, education centre, shop and restaurant are all heated using either wood or pellet stoves.
Hot water is supplied by solar thermal systems, and electricity is supplied by solar electric panels as well as the new 20KW wind turbine.
"It is great to take be able to show all of our visitors how practical and cost effective sustainable energy technologies are" commented Peter Smith Chief Executive of Wildwood Trust "We have saved our charity a fortune in electricity bills and the money we have saved will go on our projects to save rare and endangered wildlife. I am particularly pleased that our future efforts to save wildlife will not contribute to global warming and climate change"

Facts About Wind Power
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form, such as electricity, using wind turbines. At the end of 2007, worldwide capacity of wind-powered generators was 94.1 gigawatts. Although wind produces about 1% of world-wide electricity use, it accounts for approximately 19% of electricity production in Denmark, 9% in Spain and Portugal, and 6% in Germany and the Republic of Ireland (2007 data). Globally, wind power generation increased more than fivefold between 2000 and 2007.
The principle application of wind power is to generate electricity. Large scale wind farms are connected to electrical grids. Individual turbines can provide electricity to isolated locations. In the case of windmills, wind energy is used directly as mechanical energy for pumping water or grinding grain.
Wind energy is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions when it displaces fossil-fuel-derived electricity. Therefore, it is considered by experts to be more environmentally friendly than many other energy sources. The intermittency of wind seldom creates problems when using wind power to supply a low proportion of total demand. Where wind is to be used for a moderate fraction of demand, additional costs for compensation of intermittency are considered to be modest.

Humans have been using wind power for at least 5,500 years, and architects have used wind-driven natural ventilation in buildings since similarly ancient times. The use of wind to provide mechanical power came somewhat later in antiquity.
The Babylonian emperor Hammurabi planned to use wind power for his ambitious irrigation project in the 17th century BC. An early historical reference to a rudimentary windmill was used to power an organ in the 1st century AD. The first practical windmills were later built in Sistan, Afghanistan, from the 7th century. These were vertical-axle windmills, which had long vertical driveshafts with rectangle shaped blades. Made of six to twelve sails covered in reed matting or cloth material, these windmills were used to grind corn and draw up water, and were used in the gristmilling and  sugarcane industries. Horizontal-axle windmills were later used extensively in Northwestern Europe to grind flour beginning in the 1180s, and many Dutch windmills still exist.
In the United States, the development of the "water-pumping windmill" was the major factor in allowing the farming and ranching of vast areas of North America, which were otherwise devoid of readily accessible water. They contributed to the expansion of rail transport systems throughout the world, by pumping water from wells to supply the needs of the steam locomotives of those early times.
The multi-bladed wind turbine atop a lattice tower made of wood or steel was, for many years, a fixture of the landscape throughout rural America.
The modern wind turbine was developed beginning in the 1980s, although designs are still under development.


2.   MEET SANTA - Places going fast!
During the run up to Christmas Santa Claus is visiting Wildwood Kent's award winning discovery park just outside Canterbury.
He will be making time in his busy schedule to meet children in his specially designed grotto just outside the shop. Book now as spaces are going fast.
Visitors can also see our herd of fallow and red deer cousins of Santa's reindeer.
Meet Father Christmas on Saturday & Sunday 6-7, 13-14, & 20-21 December 2-4pm and Monday-Wednesday 15-17 December 4-6pm.
Cost £2 per child, please book on 01227 712111.
Please note that access to Father Christmas on Saturdays and Sundays is only permitted if membership or entrance to the park has been paid, This does not apply to the Week day slots as only the shop will be open and access to the park restricted.

Who is Father Christmas?
Father Christmas is our version of Santa Claus. He is an old jolly man with white hair, a beard and a moustache. He is dressed in a red* suit outlined in white. Father Christmas and his elves make all the toys for Christmas in his home in the North Pole.
*The red coat is "new". Images of Father Christmas prior to about 1880 most pictures showed him with a green coat. The red became the most popular colour after the US introduction by Coca Cola during the 1930's.

How do we know what Father Christmas looks like?
We owe much about what we know about the Father Christmas today to the Americans of the 19th Century. In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore described what he imagined Father Christmas to look like in a poem.
The poem is often referred to as 'The Night Before Christmas', but originally it was titled 'A Visit from St Nicholas'.
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his sack.
His eyes how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face, and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump,--a right jolly old elf--
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

Written by Clement C. Moore in 1822 as a Christmas present to his children.
In 1866, Thomas Nast, a cartoon artist for the Harper's Illustrated Weekly, made a montage entitled, "Santa Claus His Works" and for the first time established 'Santa' as a maker of toys
George P. Webster (Walker) made five of Nast's drawings into coloured pictures (lithographs) to illustrate a poem he wrote in Nast's book Santa Claus and His Works (circa 1869). Santa is portrayed as an overly fat, happy, white bearded elf, wearing a spotted red-brown, skin-tight suit, the base of the jacket trimmed in white fur lined with spots or attachments just below a red sash. The poem identified the North Pole as Santa's home.

History of Father Christmas in England
Father Christmas was originally part of an old English midwinter festival, normally dressed in green, a sign of the returning spring. He was known as 'Sir Christmas', 'Old Father Christmas' or Old Winter'.
In this earliest form, Father Christmas was not the bringer of gifts for small children, nor did he come down the chimney. He simply wandered around from home to home, knocking on doors and feasting with families before moving on to the next house.
The Ghost of Christmas Present in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1843) is based on Father Christmas. He is described as a large man with a red beard and fur-lined green robe.
Images of Father Christmas (Santa Claus) dressed in red started appearing on Christmas cards in the late Victorian times.

How do children write to Father Christmas?
Children write letters to Father Christmas to tell him what they would like for Christmas. Some children will send their letters by post or e-mail but the more traditional way is to throw the letters into the back of the fireplace. The draught then carries the letters up the chimney to Father Christmas.

What happens on Christmas Eve?
On Christmas eve Father Christmas piles all of the toys onto his sleigh and rides across the sky with his reindeers. The most famous one is Rudolf, the reindeer at the front who leads the way with his red nose.
He enters our houses down the chimney at midnight and places presents for the children in stockings (large socks) or bags by their beds or in front of the family christmas tree.


Who is Santa Claus?
Santa Claus is based on a real person, St. Nicholas.
St. Nicholas, or Sinter Klaas in Dutch, was a very shy man and wanted to give money to poor people without them knowing about it. It is said that one day, he climbed the roof of a house and dropped a purse of money down the chimney. It landed in the stocking which a girl had put to dry by the fire! This may explain the belief that Father Christmas comes down the chimney and places gifts in children's stockings. copyright of projectbritain.com
When the Dutch introduced Sinter Klaas to the Americans they called him Santa Claus.

What are the different names of Father Christmas/ Santa Claus?
Father Christmas is called different names around the world. The most popular name now-a-days is Santa Claus.
Austria: Christkind ("Christ child")
Belgium: Sinterklaas
Canada: Santa Claus; Père Noël ("Father Christmas")
Denmark: Julemanden
Estonia: Jõuluvana
Finland: Joulupukki
France: Père Noël ("Father Christmas");
Germany: Weihnachtsmann ("Christmas Man"); Christkind in southern Germany
Hungary: Mikulás ("Nicholas"); Jézuska or Kis Jézus ("child Jesus")
Italy: Babbo Natale ("Father Christmas"); La Befana
Netherlands & Flanders: Sinterklaas
Norway: Julenissen
Poland: Swiety Mikolaj
Portugal: Pai Natal ("Father Christmas")
Russia: Ded Moroz, "Grandfather Frost
Spain: Papa Noel
Sweden: Jultomten
Switzerland: Christkind
United Kingdom: Father Christmas; Santa Claus
United States: Santa Claus


3.   ECO-WARRIORS VISIT WILDWOOD - Abbey students collect pine cones
Student members of Abbey School "Eco Warriors" group came to the park on Wednesday 5th November 2008 to help collect acorns, sweet chestnuts, pine cones and twigs for Wildwood Trust.
The event is run as a competition with teams competing against each other as to who can collect the most.
The trip has become an annual event for the school and a real benefit for the park as everything collected is used for the animals .
Head of house Mrs Helen Page and several other teachers from Abbey School accompanied the group and they successfully collected huge amounts of twigs and cones. Unfortunately this year has been a very poor year for acorns and sweet chestnuts in the park.
     

4.   LATE NIGHT SHOPPING - Get those unusual christmas gifts
The shop at Wildwood will be open after the park is closed between 4 & 6pm on Monday to Wednesday 15-17th of December to give visitors the chance to do some of their christmas shopping in our shop.
Father Christmas will also be in residence and the restaurant will also be open.


5.   BEAT THE CREDIT CRUNCH & SAVE THE PLANET- make your Christmas decorations at Wildwood
Beat the credit crunch and save the planet - make your Christmas decorations at Wildwood.
Make this years Christmas decorations from recycled materials to decorate your home at Wildwood's annual "Holly Hullabaloo".
This event will be running on Saturday December 6th between 2 & 4pm and children of all ages can use recycled materials like last years christmas cards, ribbon, wrapping paper etc. to make a selection of decorations.
Places must be booked on this popular event so please call Anne, cost* is £2 per child with one adult going free.
*Please note that that access to this event is only permitted if the membership or entrance to the park has been paid.

Facts About Christmas Decorations:
Twelfth Night is when all Christmas Decorations should be removed so as not to bring bad luck upon the home. If decorations are not removed on twelfth night, they should stay up all year.

Why is it bad luck to leave the decorations up after Twelfth Night?

Long ago it was thought that leaving the decorations up would cause a disaster. People believed that tree-spirits lived in the greenery (holy, ivy etc) they decorated their houses with. The greenery was brought into the house to provide a safe haven for the tree-spirits during the harsh midwinter days. Once this period was over it was necessary to return the greenery back outside to release the tree-spirits into the countryside once again. Failure to do this would mean that vegetation would not be able to start growing again (spring would not return), leading to an agricultural disaster.
It was also thought that, if you left the greenery in the house, the tree-spirits would cause mischief in the house until they were released.
Today people still feel uneasy about leaving the Christmas decorations up after Twelfth Night. Despite decorations now being made of foil or paper, and even though the tree-spirits are long forgotten, the superstition still survives.
Did you know?
Until the 19th century, people would keep decorations of holly, ivy, box, yew, lauren and mistletoe up until February 2nd, Candlemas Day, the end of the Christmas season, 40 days after the birth of Jesus.
In the reign of Victoria decorations came down on Twelfth Night and generally were burnt.
When is Twelfth Night? 12th night
Twelfth Night is the evening of the 5th January. "The evening of the fifth of January, preceding Twelfth Day, the eve of the Epiphany, formerly the last day of the Christmas festivities and observed as a time of merrymaking". Oxford English Dictionary
Why is Twelfth Night on the 5th January and not the 6th (Twelfth Day)?
It is only with our modern understanding of astronomy and time keeping that we start a new day in the middle of the night. To our ancient ancestors, the end of day was when the sun went down. The oncoming night was the beginning of the next day. Nights were actually part of the holiday i.e. the next day.
Christmas, started at sunset on December 24. They considered this to be Christmas Evening (or Christmas Eve). Christmas would then continue until nightfall on the 25th which started St. Stephen’s Day, the first of the Twelve days of Christmas.
To our ancient ancestors, the Twelfth night after Christmas would have been the evening before January 6, Epiphany, the twelfth and final day of the Christmas season. 
The actual date for Twelfth Night has caused much confusion for years and still does today. This is because our modern understanding of the words 'eve' and 'night' mean something different to what our ancient ancestors considered them to be.
For us today the night or evening follows the day
From Christmas to Epiphany
The period between Christmas and Epiphany (January 6th) was traditionally the time to celebrate. It was a time of feasting and a time when the rich were supposed to share what they had with the poor (Boxing Day).
A Time for parties and to play tricks
In England, people used to have parties on Twelfth Night and it was traditional to play practical jokes. These included tricks such as hiding live birds in an empty pie case, so that they flew away when your startled guests cut open the crusts (as in the nursery rhyme "Sing A Song of Sixpence" goes, "…the pie was opened and the birds began to sing".
Twelfth Night Cake
In England, the Twelfth Night cake was a rich and dense fruitcake which traditionally contained a bean. If you got the bean then you were King or Queen of the Bean and everyone had to do what you told them to do. visit projectbritain.com for more information
There were also other items in the cake:
  • If you got a clove you were a villain.
  • If you got a twig you were a fool.
  • If you got a rag you were a tarty girl.
Twelfth Night Plays
Twelfth Night itself was a traditional day for plays or "Mummings," and it is thought that Shakespeare's play took its name from the fact that it was first performed as part of Twelfth Night celebrations about 1601.
The Yule Log
The Yule Log, lit on Christmas day, remained burning until Twelfth Night in order to bring good fortune to the house for the coming year. Its charred remains were kept, both to kindle the next year's Yule log, as well as to protect the house from fire and lightning.
Traditional Foods
Traditional Twelfth Night foods served in England include anything spicy or hot, like ginger snaps and spiced ale.

January 6 is Twelfth Day

Twelfth Day is the last day of Christmas season. In the Church of England, the Christmas season begins at Evening Prayer on Christmas Eve.
Twelfth Day, as its name tells us, is the sixth of January - just twelve days after Christmas Day.
This day is the feast of Epiphany. The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or "to reveal." In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King. In some eastern churches, Epiphany commemorates Jesus’ baptism, with the visit of the Magi linked to Christmas.
The Season of Epiphany
For many Protestant church traditions, the season of Epiphany extends from January 6th until Ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent leading to Easter. In some western traditions, the last Sunday of Epiphany is celebrated as Transfiguration Sunday.
The Roman Catholic tradition observes Epiphany as a single day.
What are the colours of Epiphany?
The colours of Epiphany are usually the colours of Christmas, white and gold, the colours of celebration, newness, and hope that mark the most sacred days of the church year.
The traditional liturgical colour after Epiphany is green - the colour of growth.
(Photo credit to Anna Maria Damasiewicz)

6.   CHRISTMAS TREES - Lock up your carbon for Christmas
Every year hundreds of thousands of Christmas Trees are purchased to decorate front rooms all over the UK. This year residents of Kent can purchase a tree from Wildwood.
As a charity Wildwood is always seeking to support its groundbreaking breeding, conservation and research programmes and this year purchasing a christmas tree from the park will not only help these projects but buyers can also do their bit in affecting climate change by making a contribution to the reduction of carbon in the atmosphere.
The christmas trees have been bought from British growers in Kent and Sussex - not from abroad, Wildwood has sourced top quality trees as locally as possible so reducing the carbon emissions on delivery.
Profits from the sales of the trees will be used to purchase nature reserves to ensure areas of Kent will be protected and flora and fauna allowed to flourish and safeguarding our natural heritage for our children and grandchildren as well as supporting the other work of Wildwood
Wildwood is also offering a free child ticket to visit the park.
"The trees are exceptional value proving that going green does not have to be expensive" says Peter Smith Chief Executive of Wildwood "Buying a tree will really let people do their bit to save the planet, save our endangered British species, and protect the Kent countryside".
Trees can be purchased from the park 7 days a week from Monday 24th November up to Christmas Eve. Prices have been kept the same as last year ranging from £18 - £50, with a selection of sizes and both standard (Norway Spruce - Picea abies) and nondrop (Nordmann Fir - Abies nordmanniana) varieties.
Purchasers can reserve trees from the 17th November by phoning 01227 712111, visiting the park or via the order form on the website.

Christmas Tree Facts
The decorated Christmas tree can be traced back to the ancient Romans who during their winter festival decorated trees with small pieces of metal during Saturnalia, a winter festival in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture.
An evergreen, the Paradise tree, was decorated with apples as a symbol of the feast of Adam and Eve held on December 24th during the middle ages.
Christmas trees were sold in Alsace in 1531. Alsace was at that time a part of Germany. Today it is part of France. The trees were sold at local markets and set up in homes undecorated.
In the Ammerschweier in Alsace there was an ordinance that stated no person "shall have for Christmas more than one bush of more than eight shoe lengths."
Sixteenth century folklore credited Martin Luther as being the first to decorate an indoor tree. After a walk through a forest of evergreens with shining stars overhead, Luther tried to describe the experience to his family and showed them by bringing a tree into their home and decorating it with candles. Some historians state that the first evidence of a lighted tree appeared more than a century after Martin Luther's death in 1546.
The oldest record of a decorated Christmas tree came from a 1605 diary found in Strasbourg, France (Germany in 1605). The tree was decorated with paper roses, apples and candies.
In Austria & Germany during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the tops of evergreens were cut and hung upside down in a living room corner. They were decorated with apples, nuts and strips of red paper.
The first record of Christmas trees in America was for children in the German Moravian Church's settlement in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Christmas 1747. Actual trees were not decorated, but wooden pyramids covered with evergreen branches were decorated with candles.
The custom of the Christmas tree was introduced in the United States during the War of Independence by Hessian troops. An early account tells of a Christmas tree set up by American soldiers at Fort Dearborn, Illinois, the site of Chicago, in 1804. Most other early accounts in the United States were among the German settlers in eastern Pennsylvania.
In 1834, Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, was credited with bringing the first Christmas tree to Windsor Castle for the Royal Family. Some historians state that in actuality Queen Charlotte, Victoria's grandmother, recalled that a Christmas tree was in the Queen's lodge at Windsor on Christmas Day in 1800.
Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
The Norway spruce continues to be a popular choice in the UK and is the traditional species for the British Christmas tree. It is the species you will find erected in Trafalgar Square and 10 Downing Street each year. It has the triangular shape, dark green needles, gently drooping branches and a distinctive 'pine' fragrance. It's dense bushy shape is excellent for decorating. It is relatively quick growing which explains it's apparently cheap price compared to other species. It's one slight drawback is that needle retention is not it's strongest point. It does need to be keep well watered and away from direct heat sources to maintain it's quality throughout the Christmas period. If used outdoors there is no problem.
Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana)
The Nordmann Fir has gained popularity in recent years due to it's good needle retention qualities and ability to look good throughout the festivities. Often described as being non-drop, this is not strictly true, but it will retain it's needles better than Norway Spruce. It has soft, deep green foliage, smooth grey bark and a good triangular shape. It tends to be slightly more open and less dense than Norway. The needles when crushed give a very aromatic citrus smell. More expensive than other species due to it's slow growth and work needed to maintain a good shape.
(Photo credit to Just-Us-3)
7.  HELP! - Snap boxes and computer bits needed

Wildwood is seeking some help in obtaining the following items:
1. Snap shut plastic boxes (like sandwich boxes etc). These are used for housing our adderlings and as they grow we need larger boxes for them to live in.
2. Computer bits - Have you got large colour monitors or flat screens? We need them for the office and we are also looking for Athlon XP or above processors.
If you can help please call the office on 01227 712111.
(Photo credit to Sanja Gjenero)


8.   ADOPT AN ANIMAL - Great christmas present
At a bit of a loss as to what to buy your nearest and dearest for Christmas? Then Wildwood has the answer - buy an adoption of their favourite animal. They will get a pack full of details about their animal including exclusive pictures taken of the animal of their choice, a plaque will be displayed commemorating their adoption as well as a handsome certificate and a free ticket to come along to the park.
Every animal at the park can be adopted and prices range from £25 to support a dormouse, helping with our breeding and re-introduction schemes to £500 where you can support a conservation project for water voles our most endangered mammal.
If you would like more details then give the office a call.


Martyn Nicholls
Press Officer
Wildwood Trust
e-mail: martyn@wildwoodtrust.org
Tel: 01227 712111
www.wildwoodtrust.org
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 come 'nose to nose' with British Wildlife. 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.





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Thursday, 27 November 2008


Wildwood e-news November 2008
In the November edition of Wildwood's e-newsletter we have:
1.   WILDCAT KITTEN GETS NAME- Competition results
2.   BEAVER MOON NIGHT TOUR- Night guided tour of park
3.   TERRIFIC TREES! - Find out all about our trees
4.   SOAY SHEEP GRAZE WILDWOOD- New arrivals settle in
5.   HOLLY HULLABALOO- Christmas crafts
6.   CHRISTMAS EVENTS - Meet Santa and shop!
7.   DORMICE SLEEP AGAIN IN YORKSHIRE- Wildwood breeding programme success
8.   CHRISTMAS TREES - Lock up your carbon for Christmas
9.   HELP! - Pet carrying cases & decking planks needed
10. PYJAMA PARTY - Fun had at Wildwood over half term
11. WATCH OUT FOR - Wildwood television appearances


1.  WILDCAT KITTEN GETS NAME- Competition results
After two months the competition to find a name for our wildcat kitten has come to an end. We had over 200 suggestions so it has been a very difficult task to choose which of the various names would win.
The competition entries came from far and wide, Wildwood even received one e-mail from Canada showing how much interest there is in the plight of the wildcat.
Ali Bennett and Christine Read, the wildcat keepers were given the unenviable task of choosing the name and in the end after much deliberation have decided that the kitten will now be called Carna.
"It is great that the kitten now has a name" said Ali, "There were so many names to choose from, I was really surprised how many people entered the competition".
Carna is appropriate for a number of reasons: She was the Roman goddess of flesh, which is great for a carnivore like the wildcat. She was also believed to have been the goddess who oversaw the processes of survival and Carna will be playing her part in protecting the survival of the wildcat in the UK.
The winner of the competion asked to remain anonymous but they have received a family ticket for having their suggestion chosen.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SCOTTISH WILDCATS:
Wildcats have been resident in Britain for over 2 million years; sharing the land with the mammoth, cave bear and cave lion long before modern humans had found their way through the forests of Europe. The current population was isolated here some 9000 years ago as the last ice age ended and sea levels rose isolating the British Isles from mainland Europe. Those cats evolved into a unique subspecies; Felis sylvestris grampia; the Scottish wildcat.
These are no domestic tabbies, feral cats or farm cats run wild, they're Britain's last wild feline and infamous amongst experts for being the wildest of all wild animals; an untameable and deadly predator capable of surviving the harshest of winters in the Scottish Highlands. Today, after centuries of persecution, deforestation and competition from introduced species there are less than 400 Scottish wildcats left in the world and extinction could be as little as ten years away.
The Scottish wildcat is a subspecies of the European wildcat and is unique to Britain. One of the largest of the various wildcat species, an average size today is around 50% larger than a domestic cat, though one fossil specimen was 4 feet from nose to tail. Originally a forest dweller, the Scottish wildcat has adapted to hunt over a wide variety of habitats and will include a variety in its 2 to 3 square mile territory, preying mainly on rodents and small mammals but also on birds, insects, reptiles and fish.
They are pure carnivores and eat only meat, consuming almost every part of any kill they make; the coat providing roughage, the bones calcium, and the meat everything else, in fact they rarely need to drink because meat has such a high water content. Wildcats often carry parasitic worms in their gut and will eat long blades of grass to help clear out their system and probably also to obtain certain necessary acids not present in meat.
They live a solitary existence, coming together in pairs to mate for a short period in January/February. 2 or 3 Kittens are born in spring and raised solely by the mother who is exceptional in her defence of them as they grow. Unlike most cats they cannot be tamed, even a hand-reared kitten will naturally develop a complete distrust for human kind, unsurprising after thousands of years of persecution.
Pound for pound the Scottish wildcat is one of the most impressive predators in the world. Intelligent, fearless, resourceful, agile and powerful they have been known to predate considerably larger species and until as recently as the 1950's were believed to be man killers. Equipped as most cats are with excellent day and night motion sensitive vision, a highly tuned sense of balance and touch, good scenting ability and incredible hearing, they also have a very thick, well groomed and heavily striped coat to camouflage them in various terrain and protect them against the fierce Scottish weather.
The First World War saved the cats; gamekeepers were called up, many were never to return and a changed economy led to many gaming estates breaking up. The cats appeared to repopulate Scotland but not all was as it seemed. Naturalist and author Mike Tomkies wrote in the 70's that he believed the wildcat was mating extensively with domestic cats, wiping out the gene pool. Conventional wisdom at the time stated that wildcat/domestic offspring were always sterile, a complete falsehood, and Tomkies was largely ignored.
In the 80's the wildcats were fully protected under law and government figures stated that there were around 5000 across Scotland, but by this time a group of scientists was starting to pick up on the same feelings as Mike Tomkies. Years of research followed until, by the turn of the millennium, it was accepted that Scottish wildcats were breeding into extinction with domestic cats, and that the likely figure of true wildcats left in Scotland was closer to 400.
In the last year consensus has almost been reached and Scottish Natural Heritage have accepted the scientist's figures and appraisal of the situation, recently (March 2006) naming the wildcat as a priority species for conservation in Scotland. With extinction a possibility as soon as this decade the next few years will be key in deciding whether the Scottish wildcat will survive; all wildcat species are endangered for very similar reasons across Europe, Asia and Africa, however none are as close to extinction as the Scottish form which is Britain's rarest mammal and one of the rarest cats in the world.
(Photo credit to Ryan Ladbrook)


2.   BEAVER MOON NIGHT TOUR- Night guided tour of park
Full moons have traditionally been given names and the full moon in November is known as the Beaver moon by North American tribes - This was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now actively preparing for winter.
It is sometimes also referred to as the Frosty Moon.
Wildwood, Kent's award winning woodland discovery park, offers an opportunity to tour Wildwood by the moonlight of a hunter's moon on Thursday November 13th 2008, (clouds allowing) 7.00pm -9.00pm and experience the woodlands and the animals that live here at a time when the darkness belongs to them.
Night tours, led by Wildwood staff are an excellent way to see our nocturnal wildlife, so you will get the opportunity to see Badgers snuffling, watch Owls wide awake, experience the silent padding of the wolves.
Night tours are open to anyone over the age of 10 years (children must be accompanied by a responsible adult). They are scheduled to last approximately 2 hours and, from April to October, include feeding our family of badgers.
Places MUST be booked in advance by completing and returning a booking form, together with full payment of £15 per person - unfortunately, telephone bookings cannot be accepted. Places will be allocated on receipt of a completed booking form and payment, strictly on a first come, first served basis.
You can download a Booking form from the following links to our website
<http://www.wildwoodtrust.org/downloads/NIGHT%20TOURS%202008.pdf>
<http://www.wildwoodtrust.org/downloads/NIGHT%20TOURS%202008.doc>
(Photo credit to Bill Adler)


3.   TERRIFIC TREES! - Find out all about our trees
On Saturday and Sunday November 29th & 30th visitors to Wildwood can find out all about our amazing trees during National Tree Week.
Collect leaves and seeds, make leaf and bark rubbings.
Discover which tree is your birthday tree.
Pick up your own FREE children's tree explorer pack at the shop.
This event is free but access to the event is only permitted if membership or entrance to the park has been paid.
(Photo credit to Steve Woods)


     4.   SOAY SHEEP GRAZE WILDWOOD- New arrivals settle in
Wildwood now has two Soay sheep grazing certain parts of the park.
These sheep are a primitive breed of domestic sheep and are not diluted by interbreeding so are examples of the earliest domestications by man.
The Soay are descended from a population of feral sheep on the 250 acre island of Soay (which means in old norse "Island of Sheep") in the St. Kilda Archipelago about 65 Km from the Western Isles of Scotland.
The two rams, who will shortly be joined by a ewe, will be used in conservation grazing around the park.
They are ideally suited to doing this job as it is smaller and hardier than modern domesticated sheep and they browse on land considered marginal, they thrive on woody plants as well as grass and forbs (herbaceous flowering plants which are not grasses, sedges or rushes). The end result of their grazing will be to create wildflower meadows, these habitats have been under considerable threat with over 95% having disappeared from the British countryside.
These meadows are a haven for wildlife but need to be actively managed which is where the Soay sheep come in.
The two new additions can be seen munching their way through the scrub that has developed in our meadow near the Wildcat enclosure.

Soay Sheep Facts
Ovis aries
The Soay sheep is a small, primitive breed of domestic sheep descended from a population of feral sheep on the 250-acre island of Soay in the St. Kilda Archipelago, about 65 km from the Western Isles of Scotland. Undiluted by interbreeding, they are a genetic archive of the Neolithic origins of domesticated sheep.
Generally dark brown or tan in colour with a white belly, it has existed in isolation on a tiny island west of Scotland for more than a thousand years. Because of this isolation and the difficult environment in which it evolved the Soay is naturally a very hardy animal. With the least amount of human care it will thrive. Unlike more domesticated breeds, it seems to be less troubled by parasites, foot rot and other ailments that so often afflict other sheep.
They are similar to the Mediterranean mouflon and the horned urial sheep of Central Asia but their origins are uncertain, whether they have been deposited upon the island some time during the Bronze Age, or by Vikings in the ninth and tenth centuries. The name of the island, 'Soay', is Old Norse, meaning 'Island of Sheep', suggesting an earlier arrival. They are much smaller than modern domesticated sheep but hardier. They are extraordinarily agile, and tend to take refuge amongst the cliffs when frightened. They do not breed true, but tend to be either blonde or dark brown with buffish white underbelly and rump (known as lachdann in Scottish Gaelic, which is cognate to the Manx loaghtan), or totally black or fawn-coloured, a few have white markings.
The wool is soft and fine, but hairy fibres are usually interspersed among the wool fibres.
The staple length is 5-8cm (2-3 inches), and the Bradford Count is 44-50.   The fleece is shed naturally. Rams develop a thick hairy mane.
The wool is either chocolate or fawn, and animals may be either whole-coloured or show the 'Mouflon' pattern. Chocolate brown and the 'Mouflon' pattern are dominant. Some black animals occur and these are always self-coloured. There may also be white marks on the face, poll and lower legs, and occasionally piebald.

The sheep have short tails and naturally shed their wool, which can be hand plucked (called rooing) in the spring and early summer. Ewes are either two-horned or polled. Rams are two-horned and the horns are strong. They are most commonly brown or tan with a white belly, white rump patch and/or white patch under the chin (referred to as Mouflon or wild pattern). Occasionally white markings on the face and/or body and legs occur. Rarely self-colored (solid colour with no markings) black or tan individuals are seen.
The face and legs are brown or tan, with lighter marks over the eyes and on the muzzle and the lower jaw. The face is 'dished'.
In the early twentieth century, some Soay sheep were translocated to establish exotic flocks, such as the flock of "Park Soay" at Woburn Abbey, established by the Duke of Bedford in 1910, and selected for desirably "primitive" characteristics. A number of Soay sheep were translocated from Soay to the island of Hirta by the Marquess of Bute in the 1930s, after the human population was evacuated. The Hirta population is unmanaged and has been the subject of scientific study since the 1950s. The population make an ideal model subject for scientists researching evolution, population dynamics and demography because the population is unmanaged, closed (no emigration or immigration) and has no significant competitors or predators.
(Photo credit to Marc Denovich)


5.   HOLLY HULLABALOO- Christmas crafts
On Saturday 6th December 1-3pm make christmas crafts from natural and recycled materials. All ages welcome.
£2 per child (one adult per family goes free) Must book with Anne on 01227 712111.
Access to the event is only permitted if membership or entrance to the park has been paid.
(Photo credit to Anna Maria Damasiewicz)


6.   CHRISTMAS EVENTS - Meet Santa and shop!
Meet Father Christmas in his grotto on Saturday & Sunday December 6-7, 13-14 & 20-21
Come between 2 & 4pm
Also Monday-Wednesday December 15-17
Come between 4 & 6pm
£2 per child, must book with the office on 01227 712111

We are also offering late night shopping on Monday-Wednesday December 15-17 between 4 & 6pm,
so you can pick up that special christmas gift!
Please note that to Meet father Christmas on Saturday and Sunday (all dates), visitors must have paid either for membership or entrance to the park
(Photo credit to Roger Kirby)


7.  DORMICE SLEEP AGAIN IN YORKSHIRE- Wildwood breeding programme success
Dormice sleep again in the Yorkshire Dales - with a little help from Wildwood
One of Britain’s best loved, but most elusive mammals - the hazel dormouse - is back in the Yorkshire Dales National Park following a successful re-introduction project.  It is 100 years since the creatures - made famous in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland - were last recorded in the Park.  

In a joint bid by conservation organisations to reverse a drastic population decline, 35 dormice were released into Freeholders’ Wood near Aysgarth in June this year of which 10 had been bred at Wildwood's dormouse captive breeding centre. The breeding enclosures nestle in woodland in the park ensuring that the dormice have as natural an existence as possible prior to re-introduction. Wildwood has been immensely successful in breeding these rare mammals and has supplied many of the reintroduction programmes across the UK.

The latest peek into the nest boxes has revealed astounding success.  Despite the very wet summer, 58 dormice, including well grown youngsters, were found in the 195 boxes.

Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England said: “Dormice numbers have dropped dramatically due to a decline in their ancient woodland habitat. The rich mix of coppiced hazel trees, honeysuckle and bramble in Freeholders’ Wood makes it an ideal habitat for a healthy dormouse population.

“So much more can be achieved through working together and sharing our knowledge and experience. Each organisation had an essential role in this successful re-introduction”.

Dr Tim Thom, Senior Wildlife Conservation Officer from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority said: “The reintroduction has exceeded all our expectations.  The hard work put in by all of the people involved in the partnership has been rewarded by the large numbers of young dormice found in the boxes.  The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is proud to have helped to reverse the decline of this charismatic mammal and is also working with neighbouring landowners to increase the amount of woodland available to our newest arrivals so that they can spread throughout the area.”

‘We are delighted that the first nest box check has gone so well and that the dormice have been reproducing’, said Laura Hurt, Conservation Officer at the People’s Trust for Endangered Species. ‘This is the third reintroduction that we have done in Yorkshire and this one has all the signs of success. It is very exciting.’
Staff from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species and Paignton Zoo placed the dormice in mesh cages attached to hazel trees within the wood.  The dormice were fed by staff and volunteers from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.  After ten days, openings were made in the mesh to allow the dormice to explore.
Freeholders’ Wood is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve which is being carefully managed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to give the dormice the best possible new start.  

Dormice numbers have dramatically declined in most parts of the UK, mainly due to the loss and deterioration of their ancient woodland habitat. The dormouse Biodiversity Action Plan aims to return them to areas of the country where they have been lost.  

Common or hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius)

Lifespanup to 5 years

Size80-85mm (head and body), 56-68mm (tail) and 15-30g

Identificationorange/brown fur on the upper-parts and yellow/white fur underneath with a white throat.  The only British mammal of this size with a thick, bushy tail.

Habitatdeciduous and coppiced woodland, scrub and hedgerows.

Dietseeds, flowers, fruit and insects.  Before hibernation nuts are an important food source.

Behaviourdormice spend the day sleeping in nests made from grass, moss, leaves and shredded honeysuckle bark.  The nests are typically about 15cm in diameter and woven to entirely surround the animal.  Little is known about their social organisation, but it is thought that they sometimes live in pairs. Dormice are nocturnal and hibernate from October to April.  If food is short or weather prevents them foraging they are able to save energy by lowering their body temperature and becoming torpid . They can spend up to three quarters of their lives asleep.  They are good climbers, and spend most of their time in the tree canopy.

Breedingthey normally rear one or two litters a year, typically of four young.  The young remain with their mother for 6-8 weeks before becoming independent.

Conservation statusa British native, the dormouse has become extinct in up to 7 English counties (about half its former range) in the past 100 years. It is absent from the north, except for small populations in Cumbria and Northumberland, and although dormice are still widespread from Kent to Devon, their distribution is patchy.  Even in good habitats, numbers are low.  The main reason for its increasing rarity is habitat loss due to the decline in hazel coppicing.  Where woodland has become fragmented, populations become isolated and can't move to new habitat.  Even gaps in woodland of as little as 100m can prevent the species spreading out.

The reintroduction Freeholders’ Wood is managed as a traditional coppice woodland by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. The dormice released here were bred in captivity by the Common Dormouse Captive Breeders Group and given a full bill of health before release by Paignton and London Zoos.

Staff from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species and Paignton Zoo then placed the dormice in mesh cages attached to hazel trees within the wood.  They were fed in the cages by staff and volunteers from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.  After ten days, openings were made in the mesh to allow them to explore while still being provided with food if they needed it.  Extra feeding stopped in mid September leaving the dormice wild and free to roam through the woodland.

To see if the reintroduction had been successful 195 nestboxes were checked in late September.  Despite the very wet summer 58 dormice were found in the boxes with large numbers of well grown youngsters.  

The Dormouse Species Recovery Project is funded and monitored by Natural England and the People’s Trust for Endangered Species.



8.   CHRISTMAS TREES - Lock up your carbon for Christmas
Every year hundreds of thousands of Christmas Trees are purchased to decorate front rooms all over the UK. This year residents of Kent can purchase a tree from Wildwood.
As a charity Wildwood is always seeking to support its groundbreaking breeding, conservation and research programmes and this year purchasing a christmas tree from the park will not only help these projects but buyers can also do their bit in affecting climate change by making a contribution to the reduction of carbon in the atmosphere.
The christmas trees have been bought from British growers in Kent and Sussex - not from abroad, Wildwood has sourced top quality trees as locally as possible so reducing the carbon emissions on delivery.
Profits from the sales of the trees will be used to purchase nature reserves to ensure areas of Kent will be protected and flora and fauna allowed to flourish and safeguarding our natural heritage for our children and grandchildren as well as supporting the other work of Wildwood
Wildwood is also offering a free child ticket to visit the park.
"The trees are exceptional value proving that going green does not have to be expensive" says Peter Smith Chief Executive of Wildwood "Buying a tree will really let people do their bit to save the planet, save our endangered British species, and protect the Kent countryside".
Trees can be purchased from the park 7 days a week from Monday 24th November up to Christmas Eve. Prices have been kept the same as last year ranging from £18 - £50, with a selection of sizes and both standard (Norway Spruce - Picea abies) and nondrop (Nordmann Fir - Abies nordmanniana) varieties.
Purchasers can reserve trees from the 17th November by phoning 01227 712111, visiting the park or via the order form on the website.

Christmas Tree Facts
The decorated Christmas tree can be traced back to the ancient Romans who during their winter festival decorated trees with small pieces of metal during Saturnalia, a winter festival in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture.
An evergreen, the Paradise tree, was decorated with apples as a symbol of the feast of Adam and Eve held on December 24th during the middle ages.
Christmas trees were sold in Alsace in 1531. Alsace was at that time a part of Germany. Today it is part of France. The trees were sold at local markets and set up in homes undecorated.
In the Ammerschweier in Alsace there was an ordinance that stated no person "shall have for Christmas more than one bush of more than eight shoe lengths."
Sixteenth century folklore credited Martin Luther as being the first to decorate an indoor tree. After a walk through a forest of evergreens with shining stars overhead, Luther tried to describe the experience to his family and showed them by bringing a tree into their home and decorating it with candles. Some historians state that the first evidence of a lighted tree appeared more than a century after Martin Luther's death in 1546.
The oldest record of a decorated Christmas tree came from a 1605 diary found in Strasbourg, France (Germany in 1605). The tree was decorated with paper roses, apples and candies.
In Austria & Germany during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the tops of evergreens were cut and hung upside down in a living room corner. They were decorated with apples, nuts and strips of red paper.
The first record of Christmas trees in America was for children in the German Moravian Church's settlement in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Christmas 1747. Actual trees were not decorated, but wooden pyramids covered with evergreen branches were decorated with candles.
The custom of the Christmas tree was introduced in the United States during the War of Independence by Hessian troops. An early account tells of a Christmas tree set up by American soldiers at Fort Dearborn, Illinois, the site of Chicago, in 1804. Most other early accounts in the United States were among the German settlers in eastern Pennsylvania.
In 1834, Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, was credited with bringing the first Christmas tree to Windsor Castle for the Royal Family. Some historians state that in actuality Queen Charlotte, Victoria's grandmother, recalled that a Christmas tree was in the Queen's lodge at Windsor on Christmas Day in 1800.
Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
The Norway spruce continues to be a popular choice in the UK and is the traditional species for the British Christmas tree. It is the species you will find erected in Trafalgar Square and 10 Downing Street each year. It has the triangular shape, dark green needles, gently drooping branches and a distinctive 'pine' fragrance. It's dense bushy shape is excellent for decorating. It is relatively quick growing which explains it's apparently cheap price compared to other species. It's one slight drawback is that needle retention is not it's strongest point. It does need to be keep well watered and away from direct heat sources to maintain it's quality throughout the Christmas period. If used outdoors there is no problem.
Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana)
The Nordmann Fir has gained popularity in recent years due to it's good needle retention qualities and ability to look good throughout the festivities. Often described as being non-drop, this is not strictly true, but it will retain it's needles better than Norway Spruce. It has soft, deep green foliage, smooth grey bark and a good triangular shape. It tends to be slightly more open and less dense than Norway. The needles when crushed give a very aromatic citrus smell. More expensive than other species due to it's slow growth and work needed to maintain a good shape.
(Photo credit to Just-Us-3)


9.   HELP!- Pet carrying cases & decking planks needed
The keepers at Wildwood are asking for help from the Wildwood Friends.
Firstly they are looking for pet carrying cases, as these are needed to transport animals if you have a pet carrier (preferably the metal type) you no longer use then we can make use of it.
Secondly the water birds enclosure is, over the winter, having a bit of a makeover. The keepers are creating decked areas so are looking for any decking planks that people might have no use for.
If you can help than please call the office on 01277 712111
(Photo credit to Casey Christie / The Californian)


10. PYJAMA PARTY - Fun had at Wildwood
Pyjama parties at Wildwood
During half term Wildwood has been running events to keep the children amused.
One of the most popular the week has been the "Pyjama Party", which was run on Tuesday and Wednesday, children got to meet some of Wildwoods animals who are preparing to hibernate.
The kids met a bat (a pipistrelle) and a dormouse who are both putting on weight and beginning to get sleepy so that they can hibernate the whole winter through.
The rest of the afternoon had everyone making of peanut cone and popcorn string bird feeders as well as decorating hedgehog buns, party games and hibernation crafts.
Some of the youngsters were even brave enough to wear their Pyjamas along to wildwood and they received a small prize.
"These events are very popular in fact we are fully booked" commented Anne Riddell Head of Education at Wildwood "it is great to see youngsters learning and enjoying themselves at the same time"

Hibernation facts
Sometimes it is simply not possible for a mammal to find enough food to keep its body temperature constant. Some mammals that live through cold periods when food is hard to find, especially very small mammals, have the ability to let their body temperature drop.
Small bats have big problems keeping warm in cool climates. They are small, and their wings give them a large area of skin over which they lose heat. Many, therefore, simply allow their body temperature to drop when they are resting, and then flap vigorously to warm themselves up through muscle activity before they take off again.
Many other mammals become torpid during cold periods and allow their body temperature to drop. The extreme case of this is hibernation. During hibernation a mammal can let its body temperature drop to match the surroundings, although more commonly it is kept at a few degrees above freezing. The animal's heart rate and breathing rate falls dramatically during hibernation. Bats' hearts normally beat 400 times per minute, but during hibernation they can drop to 11-25 beats per minute. This torpid state saves them 99.3 per cent of their energy.
There is, however, a problem with hibernation. The animal is completely inactive, but the body is still alive and still producing waste products, some of which are poisonous if allowed to build up. This means that even a mammal in deep hibernation has to arouse itself at least every couple of weeks to excrete waste products. These short periods of normal activity may also allow the animal to drink or even catch up on some sleep, which the brain is unable to do when it is not at normal body temperature. Starting up the body's metabolism again is very costly, and so hibernating mammals store a lot of special 'brown fat', which is used for heat production. 85 per cent of a bat's fat loss over winter is due to this stopping and starting of the metabolism.
The largest and most dramatic hibernators, however, are bears. They can survive six months without eating, drinking, urinating or defecating - but during hibernation their body temperature does not drop more than a few degrees despite slowing their breathing and heart rates. Maintaining the body temperature without feeding is enormously expensive for the animals, and so bears put on large fat reserves. Female bears even give birth and nurse their cubs during this winter period, which is an amazing feat of endurance
(Picture of youngsters with Anne making pine cone feeders at Pyjama Party Event 29th October 2008)


11. WATCH OUT FOR - Wildwood Television appearances
Wildwood has been featuring in both local and national television over the past few months so for those of you who have missed us before here are a few dates for your your diaries:
BBC1, from 3rd November 2008, weekdays at 9:15 - Animal 24-7 with Tom Heap. A series that follows those who are dedicated to keeping creatures from harm. Wildwood will be featured at some point in the series with the Beavers from their collection in Bavaria to their release at Ham Fen. Also next year you can see the tale of the red squirrels from Wildwood to their release on Anglesey.
BBC1, Wednesday 5th November 2008 at 19:30 - Inside Out with Kaddy Lee Preston. This local magazine programme visited Wildwood and seeing "Lets Talk Wolf" one of the popular education programmes and meeting the wolves too!
BBC1, Wednesday 19th November 2008 at 20:30 - Wild About Your Garden with Nick Knowles, Ellie Harrison and Chris Beardshaw. This is a new wildlife and gardening series which in this episode features Wildwoods water voles and Hazel Ryan.
Wildwood will also be featuring every month over the next 12 months in BBC1's Countryfile on Sundays at 11:00. So keep your eye out!
Finally Wildwood was used by Bill Oddie for a one off programme for the BBC called "10 Frights and Delights" this is due to be aired in December the exact date is still to be confirmed.
(Photo credit to Sem Rox)

Martyn Nicholls
Press Officer
Wildwood Trust
e-mail: martyn@wildwoodtrust.org
Tel: 01227 712111
www.wildwoodtrust.org
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 come 'nose to nose' with British Wildlife. 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.

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