Parklife Summer 2021

Parklife June – August 2021

Discover...

FOX PLAY OAKS IN BLUEBELL WOOD THE SCULPTURE COLLECTION

Summer EVENTS & ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE PARK

Ham Farm House, Ham Lane, Peterborough PE2 5UU E: visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk T: 01733 234193 www.nenepark.org.uk If you would like to be added to our mailing list or require this magazine in another format, please get in touch.

Nene Park #litterheroes Joining up with the national campaign from Keep Britain Tidy – The Great British Spring Clean, we held a community litter pick event in the Park on Tuesday 1st June.

Members of the public came along throughout the day, borrowed a sanitised litter picker and bin bags and then went off around the Park to collect litter. There was a great turn out and you all did your bit to help us keep the Park looking green and beautiful for all.

Welcome to summer Parklife 2021! We are really excited about Thank you! the summer months ahead with restrictions lifting further.

Come and visit us and enjoy… a boat ride on Wyndham, the eco-electric boat; paddlesports on Gunwade Lake, guided walks to lesser known areas of the Park; a browse in our Visitor Centre and new Lakeside Farm Shop; a cuppa in the cafes and even extend your visit with a night or two under canvas at the Nene Outdoors campsites. There are also craft workshops to sign up for and outdoor theatre performances to experience. Find out more about all these things in this issue of Parklife and book onto specific events on our website www.nenepark.org.uk/events

Welcome

to summer Parklife 2021

Looking for a Father’s Day gift?

The Visitor Centre & Gift Shop at Ferry Meadows stocks a wide range of exclusive gifts and treats for your home and garden, so if you’re after something for that special someone this Father’s Day, look no further!

We have a hand etched pint tankard glass by Four Hands England for £18.99 and also our range of Thoughtful Forager craft ciders are 3 for £8. Pop in when you’re next in the Park and have a browse.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Park soon!

Reuse, recycle… and refill!

We now have a water refill station outside the renovated Lynch Lake Community Hub! Fill up your water bottles with fresh water here. You can also buy reusable water bottles at our Visitor Centre.

Front cover image credit Dawn Friend 2

New Tern Raft Thanks to funding from the Mick George Community Fund, we have a new tern raft installed on Overton Lake and look forward to seeing terns return to nest here at Nene Park in coming years.

waders re in the spring Paddlers and e and stop off he el.

Keeping our fingers crossed!

At the point of writing we are still waiting for the outcome of the delivery phase funding bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for Your Community Greenspace project! We should find out later in June whether we have been successful in securing funding, which will go

towards improvements to Park infrastructure, including the replacement for Pontoon Bridge, as well as an exciting programme of community events.

Keep your eye on our website and social media channels for the latest update on this when it is announced.

Parking charges coming soon to Orton Mere and Thorpe Wood From 5th July we will be introducing parking charges to the car parks at Orton Mere and Thorpe Wood.

Solar-powered cashless pay machines will be installed and the tariff will be £1.50 for the first hour and £2.50 thereafter. There will be a season ticket option (£40 for the year,

which will cover both Orton Mere and Thorpe Meadows car parks) and certain specific clubs operating from the site will be eligible for free parking. The income generated from the charges will go towards the increasing costs of care and maintenance of Orton Mere and the wider Park.

tion of th Since the crea allow scrapes sh of network ns on Heron and foot drai 18, the flood Meadow in 20 has attracted d plain grasslan of ducks and many species bitat has also geese. This ha ies tive to 12 spec proved attrac e s. These ar of wad ing bird ith long legs w s rd mostly bi vary in size and bills that ed l, sparrow-siz from the smal nwoodpigeo Dunlin to the, . ew sized Curl distance Many are long inter in Africa w migrants that le the Arctic Circ and breed in

Our lambs on th

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UPDATE

e Rural Estate

The inaugural la mbing period well, albeit two on Nene Park Tr of these are ust’s Rural now under the Estate marks a care of other very exciting ewes to ensure step forward in they can be the Share properly fed an Farming Partne d supported as rship with they grow. brothers Craig and Ryan Baxter.

With just 20 ew es left to lamb, the attention be Ewes have give n birth gins to turn to the months outdoors, unai ahead, with ded and the pasture at naturally in mos Castor and t cases. The Ailsworth full of barn on the Ru ral Estate at the joys of spring with 25 Castor has seen 0 new mothers some repairs and their 400 or and renovation and has been so lambs! put to good us Craig has repo e, housing rted a great ewes and lambs level of engage that required ment, with monitoring and people making a little extra th e most of care. the footpaths w hich cross and border the land Notably, one ew on which the e did in fact sheep are graz give birth to fo ed. Time taken ur lambs – out of the day quite unusual w for a chat is a hen ewes are welcome break expected to give in what have birth to and been long days raise just two la for Craig and mbs each. The the team – than four lambs are all alive and ks to all that stopped for a he llo!

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Jon Marsden has been a Trustee for Nene Park Trust since 2005 – and Chair since 2013 – an amazing 16 years at the heart of Nene Park. It is now time for his tenure to come to an end and so here he reflects on his time at the Trust:

Since joining the Trust in 2005 I have seen it flourish from being a relatively inwardlooking organisation to one that is now highly visible within the local and regional community and recognised as a successful and trusted provider within the sector.

Nene Park Trust has grown to become a key partner in the city’s ambitious growth plans, often leading on projects where our skill and expertise is widely recognised. Strong management and governance are key components of our business model which combined with our strategy, “can-do” culture and outstanding executive team, staff and volunteers, places the organisation in a very strong position to continue its journey with great optimism.

Farewell

I am extremely proud of our achievements and would like to thank

affected by the circumstances of the last twelve months, both financially and in the impact we have been able to deliver in improving the lives of our community. However, the value of safe, good quality parks and green-space has never been more appreciated and understood as huge numbers of visitors continued to come to the Park to enjoy our spaces and facilities, many discovering the more hidden corners of the Park for the first time. Importantly though, we should not forget all those who have been unable to enjoy parks and green spaces and the many who have suffered personally from the effects of the pandemic.

It is my firm belief that Nene Park has a key part to play in the region’s recovery from COVID-19, both as a park to support health and wellbeing, but also in safely bringing the community together through the return of our wide range of events, activities, education

from our Chair of Trustees

JON MARSDEN

It is my firm belief that Nene Park has a key part to play in the region’s recovery from COVID-19, both as a park to support health and wellbeing, but also in safely bringing the community together through the return of our wide range of events, activities, education programmes and volunteering opportunities.

my Board of Trustees for their commitment and hard work and together we would like to thank our wonderful staff and volunteers – and our partners, funders and contractors for their continued support. This support ensures that Nene Park remains one of the best and most highly visited Country Parks in the country.

As an independent, self-financing charity, we have been deeply

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programmes and volunteering opportunities. Many more people appreciate what a precious resource Peterborough has and we are better placed than many cities in meeting the present and future needs of our wonderfully diverse community.

And so I hand over the role of Chair of Trustees at Nene Park Trust to Jackie Bland, who will officially take up the role in July. I wish her and the whole team at Nene Park Trust all the very best for the future as they continuing to nurture and grow this wonderful Park.

CONSTRUCTION STARTING SOON

Fox Play

Following planning approval in 2020 for a newly remodelled play area at Lakeside in Ferry Meadows, construction of ‘Fox Play’ is due to start later in June.

Fox Play forms the next stage in updating and improving the play provision at Ferry Meadows, following similar successful developments of Otter Play in 2014 and Badger Play in 2016, designed to offer natural adventurous play for all ages.

Outlined in the Nene Park Master Plan, which determines the key strategic priorities and projects for Nene Park for delivery over the next 33 years, Fox Play will provide an exciting play area with water features, zip lines, raised walk ways, climbing opportunities and plenty of new tree planting. It will be the biggest of our play areas aimed at slightly older children, but accessible to a range of ages.

Designed by acclaimed landscape designers Davies White, Fox Play will cover 7,800 m2 and include thirteen different pieces of play equipment incorporating natural materials – water, sand, stone and wood. These will enable children to climb, crawl, slide, swing, splash and fly their way around the play area. In addition, with 230m of new surfaced paths, varied equipment and a range of seating, Fox Play offers increased accessibility, adventure and play opportunities for a range of ages and abilities.

The play area will also incorporate ‘reconnecting with nature’ as a central theme. 22 new trees of 5 different species will be planted and there will be playful planting for

people and nature throughout the area, with 1574 new plants added of 17 different species including nectar-rich and fruiting plants, which are good for wildlife. Our dedicated volunteer team will be involved in the planting for the play area.

Thanks go to our generous funders for Fox Play: Viridor Credits Environmental Company and FCC Communities Foundation.

Nene Park Trust aims to create outdoor facilities that are loved by the local community, to encourage children and families to spend more time enjoying the outdoors and exploring nature.

Construction of the play area should be complete later in the summer. Keep an eye on the Nene Park website and social media channels for updates on progress.

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Buy Local NEW

Lakeside Farm Shop After much planning and hard work from staff and volunteers, our new Lakeside Farm Shop opened its doors to the public on Monday 10th May and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

The new farm shop, situated at Lakeside in Ferry Meadows, next to the Nene Outdoors Watersports and Activity Centre, stocks locally grown and sourced produce from the Park’s own farm partners as well as suppliers from across the region. Among many other produce, there is freshly baked bread from Kingscliffe Bakery, handcrafted meat pies from Robinsons of Glatton, seasonal fruits from Lutton Farm and milk from Peterborough Dairies.

There are also speciality foods from across Peterborough communities such as curry sauces from Yau’s Foods, a variety of handmade European flatbreads, Filipino sweet treats made in Peterborough, and Italian hampers from Fontanella’s of Whittlesey.

In line with our eco ambitions, there is a refill station where visitors can fill up with key dry ingredients, such as porridge oats, muesli, pasta and rice.

A picnic and BBQ range will also prove to be very popular on summer days, catering for families and visitors who would like to extend their visit at the Park or for those who are staying at the campsite.

Most of the produce sold in the farm shop is sourced from within a 20 mile radius of Nene Park, and aims to celebrate the communities and culture of the region, as well as showcasing more sustainable food production.

In the future the Farm Shop will stock meat produced on Nene Park Trust land through our share farming project.

The opening hours are 10am-5pm every day, so a perfect opportunity for Park visitors to combine their trip to the Park with some essential shopping at the Lakeside Farm Shop. All the proceeds made from the Farm Shop are reinvested back into Nene Park, helping to maintain and nurture our much loved greenspaces.

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Farm Shop Volunteers

NEW

We are always looking for new and exciting roles for our volunteers to get involved in so when the new Farm Shop was planned at Lakeside we knew we’d like to get volunteers on board from the very beginning.

Our Volunteer Team then set about recruiting volunteers for this exciting new venture. They recruited a combination of existing Nene Park volunteers, people who had volunteered with Vivacity in the past and new volunteers who they reached through advertising in the Park and on social media. There was a huge amount of interest in this new shop, with its vision to provide locally grown and sourced produce from the Park’s own farm partners as well as suppliers from across the region. Volunteers were excited to get involved and blew us away with their enthusiasm to support

this new venture! They came from a range of backgrounds including retail, hospitality, customer services, the NHS and education.

Once the new volunteers had undertaken their Nene Park volunteer induction, our Visitor Operations Manager Simon, organised the specific training and induction for their new role. The volunteers each worked through a Basic Food Hygiene course at home before coming on site for training on the till system and to learn about all the fresh local produce stocked in the shop.

When the shop first opened its doors to the public on 10th May, volunteers were in position as a key part of the Farm Shop team, ready to welcome their new customers. We are so grateful for the support the volunteers have provided with this new venture and excited to see how the shop develops.

If you are interested in joining the team at the Farm Shop please email our Volunteer Team at volunteer@neneparktrust.org.uk

Chop and Change for the Firewood Volunteers Another volunteer group which has enjoyed restarting as Covid restrictions have lifted is our Firewood group of volunteers. The need to fell trees in the Park as part of necessary tree management means that a surplus of wood is produced which we don’t want to go to waste.

Six chainsaw-t rained voluntee rs and a Voluntee below 14%. To da r Supervisor m te we have sold eet every Thursday just over £12,00 to cross-cut, 0 of firewood.

The split and store money raised is firewood. Once reinvested into the wood has be the Volunteer Pr en seasoned, it’ ogramme. s ready for sale to If you would lik Peterborough e to purchase and the surrou Firewood, plea nd ing area. se send your All our firewoo order to Gary at d is mixed Gary.mason@ hardwood, mai ne neparktrust.org nly Ash, which .uk. The cost has either been of 2 cubic metre seasoned for a s of firewood is year or has a m £170. Delivery is oisture conten free within a te t of mile radi n us of Ferry Mea dows.

Guided tours of Longthorpe Tower

Our volunteers are poised from July to give tours of historic Longthorpe Tower. Book a tour via www.nenepark.org.uk/ events and discover the unusual medieval wall paintings.

If you would like to find out how you could join the team of volunteers at Longthorpe Tower, please email volunteer@neneparktrust.org.uk 7

The oak tree is ingrained into the history and folklore of England. Once upon a time, people would worship the oak tree and couples would get married under its great limbs.

The oak trees planted in our very own Bluebell wood have their own story to tell.

The mighty oak trees in Bluebell Wood What connects Ferry Meadows with Napoleon Bonaparte?

Park Manager Greg Higby tells us a bit about history of the oak trees of Bluebell Wood.

Going back a few hundred years Britain was at war with the French under the wellknown Napoleon Bonaparte.

The French navy controlled the seas and threatened to blockade the British ports to stop the import of essential goods to Britain. Whoever commanded the seas ruled the World and could win the Napoleonic war.

Timber was in high demand especially oak, a timber prized for its strength and durability. It was ideal for making warships. This is the reason we think the trees were planted in Bluebell Wood in the first place, around 200 plus years ago; they were planted to make future war ships. However,

To find out more about the history of the oak trees and about the history of Bluebell Wood as a whole, how about doing the ‘Bluebell Wood History Trail’? Pick up a leaflet from the Visitor Centre and look out for the interpretation boards up in Bluebell Wood.

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when the Napoleonic war ended in 1815, this marked the end of the era of wooden warships. A more modern steamship made from steel and iron soon arrived and the demand for timber decreased. No one was making warships out of wood anymore. This is the main reason why the oak trees in Bluebell wood still stand proudly today looking over Ferry Meadows.

Sadly, some of the trees are now dying from sudden oak death. These affected trees will be felled and replanted with new oak trees ready for the next generations of Park visitors to enjoy. Some of the timber will be sold for income for new projects in the Park, while the rest of the timber will be made into new picnic benches, fencing and seating.

Next time you are walking through Bluebell wood take a look at the majestic oak trees on the north side of the path.

These trees are a living link to an important period in our country’s history.

Celebration Leaves One of the uses of the oak from Bluebell Wood in the last year has been to create the beautiful sculptures that form an integral part of our Celebration Leaves fundraising initiative. ompson of We talk to Alistair Th e t who created thes Quercus Woodcraf re t a little mo sculptures to find ou e sculptures. th de ma he about how

Hi Alistair, tell us a bit about yourself...

I trained in land management and spent many years working as a park ranger at a variety of different estates and country parks. Over the years, I became frustrated to see how much timber extracted as part of essential forestry work goes to waste. I set up Quercus Woodcraft to enable landowners to make use of what would otherwise be waste timber.

How did you make the sculptures for Celebration Leaves?

The sculptures were carved from oak taken from Bluebell wood on the Nene Park estate. The logs are simply crafted with representations of native plant and animal species twining up the trunks as they would have been when they were growing.

What will happen to the wood over time?

We absolutely love the oak sculptures Alistair created for us which you can see in the Wildlife garden at Ferry Meadows. They beautifully display our Celebration leaves and their meaningful messages.

For any Celebration Leaves enquiries please email Lucy at fundraising@neneparktrust.org.uk To find out more about the work of Quercus Woodcraft visit their website: www.quercuswoodcraft.co.uk/green-woodworking

I have left a natural finish to the wood so over time it will soften to a beautiful silver-grey colour. As the timber ages, natural cracks will develop adding further character and individuality to the pieces.

If you had a Celebration Leaf, what message would you have on it?

The last year has been so tough for everyone, I would have a leaf to thank all those who have worked hard to keep parks and natural spaces open to everyone during the pandemic.

Step into Spring Walking Challenge Our Step into Spring walking challenge raised over £700 for Nene Park Trust. Thank you to everyone who took part. We hope you enjoyed exploring and discovering new greenspaces.

A New Way to Donate A new way to donate to Nene Park Trust is coming…Keep your eye out at the Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre for a fun new way to support us.

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Peterborough Sculpture Collection

#NeneParkArt

Visitors to Thorpe Meadows have been able to enjoy the sculptures that are sited around the rowing lake for many years. The sculptures, including stone carvings, metalwork and sculpted wood, provide a unique open air exhibition within the beautiful backdrop of the Park.

With the recent transfer of ownership of the Peterborough Sculpture Collection from Vivacity to Nene Park Trust, we are now responsible for the wider collection that includes Anthony Gormley sculptures on the rooftops of Cathedral Square, the Anthony Caro sculpture outside the Key Theatre and Robert Erskine’s sculpture at Eye roundabout.

The sculpture collection was originally assembled by the Peterborough Development Corporation between 1978 and

1988. The Corporation was set up in 1968 to provide homes, work, leisure facilities and services for the new town residents and Ferry Meadows Country Park was planned as part of this expansion. The Development Corporation bought and commissioned new artworks by some of the best British sculptors working at the time, aiming to create a culturally rich city and a reference point in time for future generations.

Several sculptures have since been added to the collection and there are currently 22 artworks on display across the city.

For more information visit www.nenepark.org.uk/peterboroughsculpture-collection Why not share a photo of your favourite sculpture, your favourite view or a newly discovered artwork? We’d love to hear from you. @NeneParkPboro #NeneParkArt

Rivers of the World Art Exhibition During summer 2021 we will be presenting two new exhibitions of artworks created by schools across the world. Exploring themes of ecosystems and pollution, the artworks have been created by students taking part in the Rivers of the World project, Thames Festival Trust’s flagship art and education project. That project links secondary schools in Peterborough,

and other towns and cities across the UK, with partner schools in developing countries overseas. Over two thousand 12 to 14 year olds from across the UK got involved.

The exhibitions will be accompanied by inspiring online activities created by artists Madhu Manipatruni and Nisha Keshav and can be viewed at Thorpe Meadows and Orton Mere from June.

For more information visit www.nenepark.org.uk/rivers-of-the-world-art-project

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A Walk in the Park New Social Walking Group Not sure where to go for a walk, or not keen on walking on your own? Then our new social walks are just for you!

These social walks are being led by our Visitor Rangers, who will lead a group for a walk around Nene Park on a range of routes. It is a fantastic opportunity to discover parts of the Park you are unfamiliar with, find out more about the different areas and meet like-minded people as you walk.

Visitor Ranger Matt led the first walk in May and had 6 people with him on the

walk. People enjoyed having a chat and meeting new people and it was a very relaxed atmosphere. The group stopped walking at several points along the walk to talk about the wildlife. At Bluebell Bridge the group saw kingfishers and they discussed the otters that have been seen frequently in this area too.

Walks are approximately 5km (3 miles) in distance. The location and routes of the walks will be different each month with two opportunities within each month to come along and explore the route.

Places are FREE but need to be booked so we know how many people to expect.

To book your place go to www.nenepark.org.uk/monthly-social-walking-group

Walks on Wednesdays Disability Peterborough brings you ‘Walks on Wednesdays’ at Ferry Meadows, supported by the Nene Park Trust.

Our main aim is to support disabled people to enjoy fresh air and the natural beauty of being outdoors, but as gentle exercise is good for everyone, we invite both disabled and non-disabled people to join us.

There is an annual subscription of £10, which gives you free parking on a Wednesday morning via a QR code.

The group is coordinated by our long-standing volunteer Chris Wood.

The group meets at the main entrance to the Ferry Meadows café at 10am every Wednesday. If you are interested in coming along please call or WhatsApp Chris on 07944 003 368 or our main charity office number on 01733 265 551.

You’re welcome to have a taster session before subscribing, to find out if the walks are suitable for you.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone today or come and join us any Wednesday morning (weather permitting).

New Nene Park Map We now have a new Nene Park leaflet and map available to pick up from the Visitor Centre. This map covers the whole of Nene Park and shows the surfaced and unsurfaced footpaths so you can see how each area connects.

Did you know you can walk all the way from Peterborough city centre through Nene Park land to Wansford near the A1?

To find out about other walks and trails around Nene Park, visit our website www.nenepark.org.uk/walks-and-trails

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Summer

Open Water Swimming Throughout the summer our weekly open water swimming sessions are back on Gunwade Lake every Thursday evening under the care and watchful eye of the team at Nene Outdoors.

Open water swimming is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, combining an opportunity to improve fitness with an enjoyment of the outdoors. Whether you are training for a triathlon or just want to take part in an activity which is sociable as well as good for you, just come along and have a go! You’ll be able to enjoy the freedom of swimming outdoors with the confidence of knowing our safety team are on standby to make sure your swim remains safe.

Swimming takes place around a 400m course on Gunwade lake in Ferry Meadows, a relatively sheltered and shallow lake (4.5m maximum depth) fed

by freshwater from the River Nene. Swimmers can complete the 400m circuit as many times as they like during the session and can then use the facilities at Nene Outdoors Watersports and Activity centre, including the heated changing rooms and showers.

All swimmers at our sessions are required to wear a NOWCA Safety Wristband every time they swim, which is their own personal profile on their wrist.

Swimmers use their wristband to scan themselves in and out of the water, which means that the team at Nene Outdoors know exactly who and how many swimmers are in the water, at any time.

For you as a swimmer, wearing your NOWCA Safety Wristband will also speed your entry into the water plus record your swim time and distance, just like wearing a chip at a triathlon. Just register with www.nowca.org and pick up your wristband from us when you come for the first time.

Weekly on Thursdays 5.30-7pm and cost £5.50 a session. Find out more and book your session in advance on our website.

The Big Summer Hunt and Park Explorer Challenges are back!

BOOK ONLINE FOR ALL OUR ACTIVITIES We now have a new online booking system which means you can beat the queues on busy days to secure your pedalo, kayak, row boat or paddle board. Just go to https://neneparktrust.digitickets.co.uk/tickets and select the activity you would like to do. This will make it easier for you and the Nene Outdoors team to manage our activity bookings.

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Following the success of our Big Summer Hunt and Park Explorer challenges last summer, both these exciting events will be back for this summer holiday!

Each Saturday from 24 July – 5 September a new Big Summer Hunt clue will be revealed on our website and social media channels which will take you off exploring Nene Park. Solve the clues each week and piece together the final puzzle at the end of the summer and win a prize!

A new ‘Park Explorer Challenge’ will be available on our website to download every Monday from 26 July – 5 September giving families with younger children specific activities to do in different areas of the Park each week.

Camp Under the Stars For those looking for a trip close to home this summer, you can now enjoy a night or more under canvas on the peaceful banks of Gunwade Lake in Ferry Meadows at one of the two quiet campsites there, run by the team at Nene Outdoors. Campers can choose between a traditional pitch-only campsite ‘The Glade’ or the new bell tent campsite ‘Lakeview’.

‘Lakeview’ offers an easy camping experience, with 8 bell tents available to hire. Set on wooden decking platforms, the bell tents can each sleep up to six occupants and are simply furnished with floor matting and LED lighting. All you need to do is bring your own camping mattress and bedding! ‘The Glade’ next

door offers space for 10 small pitches where campers can pitch their own tents.

Both campsites are perfect for families, have easy access to shower and toilet facilities at Nene Outdoors Watersports and Activity Centre and welcome dogs too. Private hire is also available for small groups or family gatherings.

These campsites are ideally situated to take advantage of all the exciting activities on offer at Nene Outdoors Watersports and Activity Centre and in the wider Park – campers get 10% off any activities at the centre. They are also conveniently located close to Lakeside Kitchen and Bar and the new Lakeside Farm Shop for breakfast and BBQ supplies.

Tent pitches or bell tents can be booked easily through the Nene Park website.

Go to www.nenepark.org.uk/campsite to find out more and make your booking.

All Aboard!

Our new eco-electric boat trips are back up and running in the Park at weekends and daily throughout the school holidays. Enjoy a near-silent trip around Overton Lake and see the Park from a different perspective. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for news on our new Wildlife cruises, where you will get to find out more about the wildlife that live in and around the lake.

Keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers, cormorants and maybe even an otter.

More information about our boat trips and making a booking can be found at www.nenepark.org.uk/take-a-boat-trip

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Climbing High!

Keep an eye on our website and social media over the summer for announcements on when our mobile climbing walls will be up in the Park ready for visitors to have a go and get to the top. We are aiming to have the walls up once or twice a week throughout the summer holidays and then two weekends a month in June and July. Don’t forget our climbing walls are also available to hire for external events.

For all enquiries about bringing our walls to you, please email nene.outdoors@neneparktrust.org.uk

Interactive Climbing Walls at Lost World Nene Park Trust took over the management of the soft play and activity centre Lost World in November 2020.

The centre in Serpentine Green shopping centre will shortly be reopening and offers visitors of all ages some exciting climbing opportunities. Scale the volcano and slide down the slide or try out our five different 5 metre high climbing walls.

There is an interactive climbing game where you can challenge a friend to see who can get to the top first! To find out more about Lost World go to www.lost-world.co.uk

Excitement building about Activity Centre As you will probably know by now, we were thrilled to be granted planning permission in March to build a new activity centre in Lakeside with a focus on climbing.

This proposed new state-of-the-art indoor facility is an exciting new addition for visitors to Nene Park, and a significant new asset for the city of Peterborough. It will create an Olympic standard climbing facility; one of the country’s largest Clip ‘n Climb arenas suitable for all the family; a natural themed toddler play area; an additional café and spaces for community groups to hire.

Over the next few months our work on this project will focus on reviewing any changes that have taken place over the last two years whilst the planning application was determined, beginning a more detailed design process including considering materials (for instance can we use more engineered timber instead of steel, reducing CO2 emissions?) and beginning to work through the various conditions of the planning approval. We will also be working with our funders and Trustees as we finalise the funding and programme of the project. Important early work will be further archaeological excavations which we hope we can involve you in and increase understanding of the Nene Valley.

More updates about the project will be available on our website and other channels as we progress.

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From guided walks and nature talks to exciting craft workshops and outdoor theatre performances, there is so much going on in the Park this summer!

Summer

s t n e v E

Nature Walks, Talks and Activities Guided Walk with a Ranger

Nature Tots

20 June, 23 July, 14 September Join one of our Rangers; Ian for a 6 mile walk around Ferry Meadows and the surrounding area. Ian will highlight various points of interest along the way and you can ask any questions about the Park and its history.

Gain confidence walking in Suitable for: 12yrs + the Rural Estate and find Meeting point: new routes you may not have Outside the Visitor Centre explored before.

Cost: £2.50

Social Walking Group 7 June, 23 June, 5 july, 21 July, 2 August, 25 August, 6 September Join one of our Visitor Rangers for a social walk around Ferry Meadows and the wider Nene Park and meet like-minded people. The location and routes of the walks Suitable for: 12yrs + will be different each month with Cost: FREE but donations two opportunities each month to welcome. come along and walk that route.

More details on all these events are on our website. Unless stated, places on these events must to be booked in advance on our website

www.nenepark.org.uk/events.

14 June, 28 June, 12 July, 26 July, 9 August, 23 August 10-11.30am

Age: 2yrs+ with accompanying adults Meeting Point: Outside the Discovery Den, Ferry Meadows Cost: £3.50 per child

We are pleased to welcome back our Nature Tots although we have a few changes to meet current covid-secure processes. We have two sessions a month on the 2nd and 4th Monday, with the second session a month being a repeat of the first one, so you will only have to book on one session each month.

Please try to book onto the same session each month if possible.

Wild Home Educator Sessions 14 June, 28 June, 12 July, 26 July, 9 August, 23 August 1.15-3.15pm We are running outdoor learning sessions every month for home schooled children. Each session has curriculum and nature focused activities, with each month having a different theme.

Sessions run on the second and fourth Monday of the month.

Suitable for: Ages 5-11yrs Please note, sessions on the Meeting Point: Outside fourth Monday are a repeat of the Discovery Den, the session on the first Monday.

Ferry Meadows Please only book one session per Cost: £5.50 per child month.

15 15

Butterfly Walks 9 August, 26 August 1.30-3pm

Suitable for: 5yrs + Meeting point: Outside the Visitor Centre, Ferry Meadows Cost: £2.50

Join our Visitor Warden Sophie who will guide you through the fluttering world of butterflies.

Walk around Ferry Meadows looking at the butterflies, as well as any other wildlife we may see as you walk.

Pond Dipping (drop-in sessions) 28 July, 4 August, 11 August, 18 August, 25 August, 1 September 12-3pm

Suitable for: 3yrs + Meeting point: Lynch Lake pond dipping platform, Ferry Meadows Cost: Donations welcome

Come along to our drop-in sessions and spend some time pond dipping and identifying the fascinating creatures you find. There may be a wait on the day due to the number of people attending.

Summer

Events

Willow Weaving

24 July 10.30am-12pm and 1-2.30pm

This is a beginners’ workshop to introduce you to the wonderful world of willow. Join Martin from Rutland Willow as he takes you Suitable for: 16yrs + through the techniques you need Meeting point: Discovery to create three pieces of work.

Den, Ferry Meadows These may include a dragonfly, Cost: £15.00 butterfly, fish or snail.

Introduction to Glass Making 7 August 10.30am-12pm and 1.30-3pm Join June from Semperart at this beginners’ workshop to make your own unique fused glass. During the session you will:

Bug Hunting 29 July, 17 August 10.30am-12pm and 1-2.30pm

Suitable for: 2 yrs+ Cost: £2.50 per child

Find out what amazing creatures make their home in the different habitats at Ferry Meadows.

Suitable for: 16yrs+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult) Meeting point: Discovery Den, Ferry Meadows Cost: £20

* Learn about the nature of glass to inform your designs and creations * Design the pieces you intend to make * Choose a variety of glass to create your designs * Learn how to use inclusions in your pieces (copper, silver)

Outdoor Theatre

Bushcraft 3 August, 12 August, 26 August 10.30am-12pm and 1-2.30pm

The Further Adventures of Dr Dolittle 3 July 6.30-8pm

3 August: Using tools - Learn how to use a selection of tools including loppers and gimlets to turn elder sticks into jewellery.

Suitable for: 7 yrs+ Meeting point: Lakeside Car Park, Ferry Meadows Cost: £5.50 per child

12 August: Fire lighting – Learn how to light a fire without using matches.

26 August: Shelter building Come along to find out how to build your own wild shelter.

Craft Workshops Fenton’s Herbology 26 June 1.30-3.30pm

16

Suitable for: 18yrs+ Meeting point: Discovery Den, Ferry Meadows Cost: £20

Discover herbal saviours for summer nightmares such as hay-fever, sunburn and prickly heat and get the know-how on how to beat the beasties with natural insect repellents. You will have the chance to make something to take home, choose from either an after-sun spray or hay fever sniffer.

Suitable for: 5 yrs+ Meeting point: Poppy Meadow (opposite the Overflow Car Park) Cost: Adults £16 (£18 on the Day), Children (516yrs) £10 (£12 on the Day)

Illyria bring their Outdoor Theatre production of the Further Adventures of Dr Dolittle to Ferry Meadows this year. The show features a fully orchestrated score, amazing puppets and a plethora of songs. Perfect summer fun for everyone aged 5+.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic Theatre Show 24 July 11am and 2.30pm

Suitable for: 2-6 yrs Meeting point: Roman Point, Ferry Meadows Cost: £10

Bring along your favourite bear and join Rah Rah Theatre on a fun, exciting adventure to get to the Picnic on time! The show incorporates props, puppets, well-known songs and dancing together with important educational areas such as numbers, colours and shapes.