If You Go Down to the Woods Today

30/04/2008

Come along and experience the magic of Bishops Wood with a breathtaking carpet of bluebells and the heady aroma of bluebell scent.

Bishops Wood Centre, nestled in the grounds of the National Grid substation at Crossway Green, is normally closed to the public, but from 2pm on Sunday, May 11 the public is invited to parts of the woodland that people rarely see.

There will be tales and folklore of bluebell fairies and advice on how to help preserve the English bluebell which is threatened by global warming and importation of Spanish varieties.

Head of Centre, John Rhymer said:  ‘The woodland is stunning at this time of year with a sea of bluebells as far as the eye can see.   Our guided bluebell walk will give people the chance to see the wildflower meadow, and how they can carry out their own surveys of the spread of Spanish bluebells which are escaping from gardens and invading natural bluebell woods.’’

There is a small charge for entry of £3 per adult and £1 per child (for Friends of Bishops Wood and their immediate family, the charge is £2 per adult and children free).  Visitors are asked to check on the centre’s website, www.bishopswoodcentre.org.uk, nearer the date in case a warm spell results in the bluebells blooming early.

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. 

Ends

For more media information only, please contact Sheila Passey, National Grid Communications on 01926 654768 or to arrange photographs contact John Rhymer at Bishops Wood Centre on 01299 250513.

Notes to Editors:


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

Through National Grid Gas plc 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.

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*.

*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.

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National Grid environmental education centres
Bishop's Wood is part of National Grid's network of environmental education centres at electricity substation sites.  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.