Outdoor News
Outdoor News
Woodcraft Folk Pioneer Bivvy at Cudham
THE BIG PEDAL
– Biking To School
This March, schools in Reigate and Banstead will once again be encouraged to get on their bikes and cycle to school as much as they can for three weeks. Sustrans, the charity that enables people Biking to school at The Royal to walk, cycle and use public transport for more Alexandra & Albert School everyday journeys, works with over 1,400 schools across the UK. Each year the charity organises the ‘Big Pedal’, a three-week ‘race’ inspired by the Tour de France. The more children, parents and teachers Hyland 01 Climbing Framewho cycle in to school on each day, the more likely the school is to be declared the winner. Last year 15 local Bike It schools took part in Reigate and Banstead. Parents, staff and children from these schools made an incredible 15,000 journeys to school by bike over just 15 school days! This year the Big Pedal is open to all schools, not just Bike It schools. To get involved go to thebigpedal.org.uk
Cycle sheds and cycle pods Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is contributing 50% towards the cost of cycle storage for this year’s new Bike It schools as part of the Bike It programme. The following schools will shortly be installing new cycle storage for their students: - Banstead Infant
Sustrans
believes every child deserves to be free range, with freedom from their front door to explore, play outdoors, and make their own way to school and beyond. Join in and add your voice at sustrans.org.uk/freerangekids
School, Chinthurst School, Warren Mead Infant School, Earlswood Infant school and Brambletye Junior School. If you would like your school to become a Bike It school in September 2012, contact the local Bike It officer, Gayle Amorowson at gayle.amorowson@sustrans.org.uk.
Sustrans is a leading UK charity enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day. Its time we all began making smarter travel choices. Make your move and support Sustrans today. sustrans.org.uk
North Park Farm Fun and Games - Saturday, 24 March North Park Farm nestles just off the A23, the road down to Brighton, in the village of Albourne, just south of Bolney. It supplies top quality outdoor toys and play equipment for children, including a full range of outdoor climbing frames, swings, slides, playhouses and trampolines. They also sell zip wires, football goals, netball posts, basketball game sets, pogo sticks and a wide range of outdoor picnic tables, sandpits, garden games and children’s ride-on cars, trucks, tractors and go-karts. With all this equipment available to see and try, families can enjoy an unpressured way of planning how to get the kids active and out in the garden. North Park Farm invites families to come and try out the best equipment and toys available, with all top brand names on display and in stock. On Saturday, 24 March North Park Farm Toys is hosting a fun, free family day. With free refreshments, face painting and magic, this is also a chance to see their new range of
WOODCRAFT FOLK – Getting out more One way for 6-16 yr olds to get out more is to join The Woodcraft Folk – rather a quirky name for a movement that started as a splinter group from the scouts, with an emphasis on learning the skills of outdoor living. A local group meets in Reigate every Tuesday evening, enjoying a programme of games, drama, discussion, projects, crafts and singing, as well as following an educational programme based on awareness of local and global issues. Throughout the year trips to open spaces encourage outdoor games, night walks and ‘sausage sizzles’ on small pit-fires. The children can also go to summer camp and away for weekends in hostels and outdoor centres such as at Cudham, nr Westerham, Kent. Much of the time is spent in the woods, where the children have an afternoon building dens out of the wood, sometimes with tarpaulins. The aim is less for a shelter to impress Bear Grylls, more for the children to work together and enjoy experimenting. For more information about joining The Woodcraft Folk – or helping out as a volunteer – contact Claire Walton on 07939 052 816 or email reigateandredhillwoodcraftfolk@gmail.com
We liked these:
Real Adventure Outdoor Den Kit (£29.95)
play equipment. Not only that - there will be great discounts on the day and a fabulous opportunity to test-drive lots of garden games and toys for children of all ages, so even mum and dad are guaranteed a fun day out! An enormous 15ft oval trampoline, great value wooden play towers plus the best range of climbing frames, swings, slides and more. See the lovely wooden dolls houses, farms, riding schools and forts. If you are a Facebook follower and ‘like’ NPFT on Facebook during March you will also receive a £5.00 gift voucher. North Park Farm, Church Lane, Albourne, West Sussex BN6 9BY Tel: 01273 833643 northparkfarm.co.uk
Know a wannabe Bear Grylls? See how they measure up with this den kit that comes in a camouflage bag and includes a tarpaulin, groundsheet, mallet, rope, camouflage paint, webbing haversack, tent pegs, metal mug and (phew) instructions. For orders: handpickedcollection.com 0844 482 9736
Family Day Out for a Fiver! Free days out exploring London – for all families with children 5+yrs for a fun day walking and exploring. Maps, toilet stops, picnic spots and access details – well thought out. Published 19 March 2012. “The London Treasure Trail” £5 from museum shops or from stepoutsideguides.com
Families Surrey East March - April 2012 9