New Events at Bishops Wood Centre

The Friends of Bishops Wood Centre in Crossway Green, near Stourport, has launched its new programme of events for the coming year. 

The new season begins on Saturday, September 23 when the centre, set in the grounds of National Grid’s high-voltage electricity substation, will hold its annual Moth Trapping Night giving visitors a guided tour of moth traps located in the centre’s woodland.  At last year’s event, 165 different species were found in one night.

Future events include:

Family Big Draw on Sunday, October 15.
This year’s Big Draw event will include activities inspired by the natural and built environment.  Artist-run workshops will include: sculpture, installations and mark-making with natural and recycled materials, drawing with and in water, kaleidoscopic dances and drawing with people, digital media, music making and storytelling.

This year Bishops Wood Centre has joined forces with Hartlebury Museum and Worcester Cathedral to take the Family Big Draw to more venues in the County.
Activities will be taking place at the County Museum, Hartlebury on October 14 and in the Cathedral on October 28.

Spooky Saxon Stories on Saturday, November 11.
Join the Bishops Wood storytellers in the Saxon hall for tales of dragons, monsters and strange happenings. A glass of mulled wine or apple juice will be served to help get everyone in the Christmas mood.

Cards, Carols and Crafts on Sunday, December 3. 
Treat your family to a moment of tranquility in the run-up to Christmas.  There will be a host of family craft activities to try your hand at accompanied by Christmas music.

Working Party at Bishops Wood on Sunday, January 21.
This is a chance to burn off the Christmas calories by joining in some of the winter tasks such as coppicing in the woodland. Potatoes baked in the open fire will be served. 

Images of Worcestershire and Beyond on Sunday, February 25.
A photographic presentation by digital projection presented by Dennis Lee and Bob Tunstall on behalf of Worcester Camera Club.

Working Party at Bishops Wood on Sunday, March 24.
Another opportunity to learn some skills of woodland management by joining the working party carrying out a variety of maintenance tasks around the site.

Viking Traders at the Saxon Hall on Sunday, April 22.
The Birmingham Vikings will be demonstrating the skills of the Viking people including leatherwork, weaving, spinning, shoe making, fire lighting and coin making.  They will also be showing some of the techniques of fighting and warfare.

Bluebell Walk on Sunday, May 13.
Join the guided walk through our glades of blue as far as the eye can see and learn more of the natural history and folklore of one of the nation’s favourite plants.

Wildflower Wander on Sunday, June 10
Worcestershire botanist Rosemary Winnall will lead a walk through the centre’s woodland to discover and identify some of the wildflowers of woodland and meadow and talk about the folklore and healing properties of the plants.

A taste of Bishops Wood on Sunday, July 8.
This day will offer the chance to sample some of the varied activities available at Bishops Wood Centre, and see why it is one of Europe’s leading environmental education centres.  Enjoy an earthwalk in the woodland and meadows, try your hand at pond-dipping, discover what small mammals live in the woodlands and visit behind the scenes in the electricity sub-station.

John Rhymer, head of centre said:  ‘Bishops Wood Centre is usually closed to the public but these events give everyone the chance to explore its ancient woodland and meadows and discover some of the fascinating wildlife we have here.  The new programme includes a wide range of events and activities which should appeal to everyone.’

Bishops Wood Centre is situated just off the A449 at Crossway Green, near Stourport.  It is run as a partnership between National Grid, Worcestershire County Council and Worcester College of Technology. Set in 70 acres of ancient woodland and meadows, the centre’s award winning building was designed as a model of good practice for ‘green’ architecture. 

A map to the centre is available at: www.bishopswoodcentre.org.uk

Ends

For more information contact Jane Taylor on 07785 220647 or John Rhymer on 01299 250513

National Grid is a leading international energy infrastructure business - the largest utility in the UK.

Through National Grid Gas plc (formerly Transco), it owns and operates over 6,800 kilometres of high-pressure transmission pipeline across Great Britain, and 132,000 kilometres of lower-pressure distribution gas mains in the North West, the Midlands, East Anglia and North London – more than half of Britain's gas transportation network, delivering gas to around 11 million homes, offices and factories.  National Grid sold the four gas distribution networks covering the rest of Britain to other companies in June 2005.

Through National Grid Electricity Transmission plc, the company operates the high-voltage electricity transmission network across Great Britain, and owns the network in England and Wales.

National Grid will continue to manage the National Gas Emergency Service freephone line 0800 111 999*.

National Grid Environmental education centres

Bishop's Wood is part of National Grid's network of environmental education centres based on electricity substation sites around the UK.  Our centres are run in partnership with local education authorities, environmental charities and other organisations, and provide outdoor learning opportunities for schools and a range of activities and training for adults, community groups and companies.

National Grid environmental education centre sites range in size from a few acres in an urban setting to 80 acres of meadows and ancient woodland.  All provide a safe and secure environment for all age groups to learn about their natural world.