Warwickshire News Mine

The county council has recently conducted a survey through its 1,000-strong Citizen’s Panel to gauge public opinion, and the results revealed that Sundays are the most popular day for visits to Warwickshire’s nine country parks.

Pooley County Park in North Warwickshire receives the most number of repeat visitors at 51 per cent, while the highest percentage of total visitors was at Kingsbury Water Park where 43 per cent said they visited between one and five times a year. Pooley also received the highest rating for its facilities and staff, with 82 per cent of people saying it was good or very good.

To see the full results of the survey, visit the website at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/parks within the next month.

In addition, both Kingsbury Water Park and Ryton Pools Country Park have signed up to the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS). This service offers a consumer focused quality assessment which will help to identify strengths and highlight developmental areas.

Paula Cheesman, Warwickshire County Council’s Visitor Manager, said: “We know that from our own surveys our customers are satisfied with their experience of Country Parks, but this scheme is a great way for us to look for ways to improve our service as well as promote ourselves on a wider scale.”

Country Parks has numerous events happening throughout September. See the listings below to find out what is on in your area.

SEPTEMBER

At weekends and school holidays in September at Pooley Country Park
Our popular craft table will be set up with seasonal materials for children to make something to take home with them.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Time: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.  Meet:  The Visitor Centre.
Cost: £1.50 per item.

WEDNESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER
Kingsbury Water Park Young Anglers

Fairies & Wizards at Ryton Pools Country Park
With the help of a little magic dust, turn yourself into a wizard or fairy!  Make magic wands, tiaras and wings from willow, or perhaps a wizard hat or a crown for a fairy prince. For children aged 3 to 12 years, who must be accompanied by an adult.
Time:  Drop in between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.  Meet:  The Visitor Centre. 
Cost:  £2.00 per child (includes 2 items, additional items £1.00 each).

Summer In A Box at Pooley Country Park CU
A short walk through the park to collect natural objects, then use your collection to make a 3D model that reminds you of Summer at Pooley.  Please bring a small shoe box. A family event.
Time:  10.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon.  Meet:  The Education Centre.  Cost:  £3.00 per child.
Booking essential – telephone 01827 897438 or 872660.

Birds of Prey at Ryton Pools Country Park

THURSDAY 2 SEPTEMBER
Hibernating Hedgehogs at Ryton Pools Country Park
Come and find out about hedgehogs and what they are up to at this time of the year.  Make a mask and join in some hedgehog fun and games.  For children aged 3 to 12 years, who must be accompanied by an adult.
Time:  11.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.  Meet:  The Visitor Centre.  Cost:  £3.00 per child.
Booking essential – telephone 024 7630 5592.
We will be making a hedgehog house on 19 September – book your place now! 

Den Building at Pooley Country Park
Learn how to build a den using branches, twigs and vegetation.  For children aged 5 to 12 years who must be accompanied by and adult.
Time:  10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.  Meet:  The Visitor Centre.
Cost:  £3.00 per child.
Booking essential – telephone 01827 897438 or 872660.

THURSDAY 2 & FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER
Slimy Slugs and Slithery Snails Trail at Kingsbury Water Park
Collect your trail sheet from the Information Centre, find the missing facts to crack the code and claim your prize.  A self led trail for children up to 12 years
Cost:  £1.50 per trail sheet.

FRIDAY 3, SATURDAY 4 & SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
Groovy Grass Snake Trail at Ryton Pools Country Park
Follow our slippery snake trail and find out some groovy facts about grass snakes.  Suitable for children aged 3 to 12 years.  Trail sheets available from the Visitor Centre between 11.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.
Cost:  £1.50 per trail sheet.

SATURDAY 4 SEPTEMBER
Volunteering at Ryton Pools Country Park

Bat Night for Beginners at Kingsbury Water Park
Time:  7.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
Food For Free at Ryton Pools Country Park
The hedgerows can be edible!  For centuries they acted as a wild larder for the rural poor. Join a Ranger on this guided walk and learn some of the remarkable ways our ancestors made use of nature’s harvest.  You may even be able to gather some produce for yourself.  Please wear sturdy footwear and suitable outdoor clothing.
Time: 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.    Meet:  The Visitor Centre. 
Cost:  Adults £2.50, Concessions £1.50, Family £5.00.

SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER
Creepy Crawly Club at Ryton Pools Country Park

SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
Kite Making at Kingsbury Water ParkMake your own kite out of everyday materials and then fly it – hope for a windy day!  For children aged 5 to 12 years who must be accompanied by an adult.Time:  10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.  Meet:  The Information Centre.  Cost:  £3.00 per child.

TUESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER
Creatures of the Night at Hartshill Hayes Country Park
Discover what creatures come out at night. An evening stroll to listen for bats and search for owls, then back to the Visitor Centre to marvel at the moths.  Please wear warm clothing and bring a torch.
Time: 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.    Meet:  The Visitor Centre. 
Cost:  Adults £2.50, Concessions £1.50, Family £5.00.
Booking essential – telephone 01827 872660.

SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER
Ramble from Ryton Pools Country Park
Come along and explore the beautiful countryside around the park.  A Ranger will lead you through the attractive landscape of South Warwickshire taking in the pretty village of Bubbenhall. Please wear appropriate clothing for the weather conditions and stout footwear (no flip-flops or sandals!).
Time: 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.    Meet:  The Visitor Centre. 
Cost:  Adults £2.50, Concessions £1.50, Family £5.00.

SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER
Build A Wildlife Garden – Hedgehog Homes at Ryton Pools Country Park
Part of our ‘Build a Wildlife Garden’ series.  Learn all about these prickly creatures from an expert and then build your own hedgehog hibernator to put up in a quiet corner of your garden.  A family event.  Please bring a hammer.
Time: 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.    Meet:  The Visitor Centre. 
Cost:  £6.00 per hedgehog home.
Booking essential – telephone 024 7630 5592.

Gypsy Pegs at Pooley Country Park
Watch a gypsy peg being made from hazel, a traditional coppiced wood product, and an old tin can.
Time: Demonstrations between 11.00 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.    Meet: The Visitor Centre. 
Cost:  FREE event, demonstrations only.

SATURDAY 25/SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER
Night Fishing Sessions at Kingsbury Water Park
Time:  7.00 a.m. on Saturday through to 6.30 p.m. on Sunday.
Booking essential 01827 872660
Ends

For more information, photo opportunities or feature possibilities contact Paula Cheesman on 01827 872660.

Link to WCC