Millie age 5 and Elijah age 3 with Ruth Witczak at the pond dipping board

This spring, three colourful boards have been installed in Beacon Park’s woodland by Lichfield District Council, to help everyone to find out more about the park’s wildlife.

The first is a woodland habitat board that features photographs of the many of the invertebrates, mammals and birds that have been spotted in the woodland. It also includes interesting facts about animals, such as: ‘Owls can’t move their eyeballs, but can turn their necks up to 270 degrees’.

The second is a sensory board with carvings of plants, leaves, wildflowers, and animal footprints that can be used for crayon rubbings. It also has sliding photograph tiles of insects so children can test their mini-beast identification skills.

Ruth Witczak with the Woodland Habitat board

The third board is next to the pond dipping platform along the woodland path. It features an illustrated underwater scene, as well as images and a description of the animals that might be found in the water. It has a stand for trays that can be hired from the park’s Ranger Station next to the crazy golf course. The trays are to collect pond life specimens in so they can be matched to the images of animals on the board. Nets are also available to buy from the Ranger Station.

Councillor Val Richards, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, said: “We hope this beautiful series of information boards will help everyone to look closely at the woodland, and help them to discover more about nature and the wildlife it is home to.”

Historical interpretation boards will also be placed at entrances to Beacon Park later in the spring.

Sensory board

The woodland boards and historical interpretation boards are part of the Lichfield Historic Parks Project, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund, as part of their Parks for People programme. The Forestry Commission part-funded the woodland boards.

Pond dipping sessions
Beacon Park rangers lead pond dipping sessions for families, community and education groups, as well as private parties. With prices starting from £15 for an hour, the sessions can be booked by calling Ruth Witczak on 01543 308869 or emailing ruth.witczak@lichfielddc.gov.uk.

Come along to help the Countryside & Parks Conservation Group to create woodland fairy footpaths in Beacon Park’s woodland.

Wednesday 1 February 2012
10.30am to 3pm
Beacon Park

The group will meet outside the Swinfen Broun pavilion

www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/cpcg

Carols in the Park

Grab your woolly hats and head to Beacon Park’s Museum Gardens on Saturday 10 December 2011, from 5pm to 6pm, for Carols in the Park

Lichfield District Council is inviting local people to take a break from their Christmas shopping and sing-along to some of their favourite carols, including Ding Dong Merrily on High and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

Councillor Val Richards, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, said: “We are inviting everyone to get into the spirit of Christmas and come to a free carol concert in Beacon Park’s Museum Gardens. Don’t forget to wrap up warm, bring a torch, and your singing voice.”
 
Taking a rest from his busy schedule, Father Christmas will be visiting the park to wish all the carollers a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. 
 
With mince pies and hot drinks and a raffle, the event is sure to get everyone in the festive mood.

For more information about Carols in the Park, please call the park rangers on 01543 308869 or email parks@lichfielddc.gov.uk.

The Countryside and Parks Conservation Group has created an outdoor classroom at Beacon Park

On Wednesday 5 October, the Countryside and Parks Conservation Group spent a successful day creating an outdoor classroom in Beacon Park’s woodland.

This involved making seating areas out of logs, which were cut from the woodland trees, to create an area for schools and local community groups to use.  

Councillor Val Richards, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, said: “The conservation group has done a fantastic job and I hope lots of local schools and community groups use the area.”

If you are interested in using the new outdoor classroom in the park’s woodland, contact Ruth Witczak on 01543 308869 or email ruth.witczak@lichfielddc.gov.uk.

The group, set up to conserve and maintain local parks and green spaces, is now on the look-out for more volunteers to help at its next event, which is being held at Chasewater Country Park on Wednesday 2 November, from 10.30am to 3pm.

Volunteers will spend the day cutting and clearing summer scrub re-growth at the Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI).

This essential maintenance will allow the rare plants on the site to continue to grow without being overshadowed, and provide a habitat for rare heathland animals.

Councillor Neil Roberts, Cabinet Member for Development Services, said: “This conservation event will be a great way to learn new skills and meet other local volunteers, while helping to maintain one of our area’s most important habitats. Please remember to wear sturdy footwear and waterproof clothing.”

If you want to come along, please contact Denice Deverall on 01543 308 183 or email denice.deverall@lichfielddc.gov.uk, to help the team gain an idea on numbers. The group will be meeting at the Heathland Station Cafe on Station Approach Road at 10.30am.

No skills are needed and volunteers will be given full training, but must be over 18 years of age.

For more information about the Countryside and Parks Conservation Group including future events, email denice.deverall@lichfielddc.gov.uk

Last year's Halloween events in the park!

From ‘Seed Gathering Sunday’ to ‘Live ‘n’ Deadly DSI Half  Term Fun!’, there’s loads of events taking place in the park this autumn and winter.

Check out our events page to make sure you don’t miss out!

We look forward to seeing you soon.