Chard Countryside Day at the beginning of September was a roaring success with over 250 visitors enjoying free activities including fire lighting, clay modelling, pond dipping and toasting marshmallows.
The pond dipping was very successful, with over 50 sticklebacks caught, plenty of lesser water boatman, some whirligig beetles and even a water scorpion.
But the fun doesn’t stop at the end of summer, with plenty more events planned through autumn and winter…
Drop in Lantern Making
Ham Hill Country Park – Monday 29 October, 10.30am to 1.30pm
Drop into the ranger centre and make your very own lantern and bring along to the Ham Hill Bonfire procession on Friday 2nd November. Paints and craft material will be supplied. Free event but donations appreciated towards materials.
The Romans are coming!
Ham Hill Country Park – Wednesday 31 October, 12.30pm to 2.00pm and 2.15pm to 3.45pm
Learn to march like a Roman centurion, make a roman shield, learn about roman life and try on the roman armour. Come along to this free drop-in event during the allotted time slots, at the rangers centre. No need to book a place. Donations appreciated to keep this event running in the future.
Halloween Trail
Yeovil Country Park – Wednesday 31 October. Drop in anytime from 11.00am (Last entry 2.00pm)
Do you dare to enter the woods at Ninesprings on Halloween? Can you get past the zombies to find the missing letters for the witches spell and get your treat? Cost £2.00 per child; All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Ham Hill Bonfire
Ham Hill Country Park – Friday 2 November, 5.30pm – 7.30pm
The Ham Hill bonfire is a dog & child friendly event set in the Stone Circle, no fireworks. Join the candlelit procession from the Rangers Office at 5.30pm, burn the guy, and drink Tinker’s Bubble spiced apple juice and toasted marshmallows. Have a warm wonderful evening by the fire. We rely on your donations to keep this event running so please give something to our donation buckets on the evening.
Councillor Sylvia Seal, Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Culture said, “There is so much to entice people out in the autumn and winter months for all the family to enjoy at our countryside sites. Regular fixtures such as the Halloween Trail and Ham Hill Bonfire are always well attended, but we expect our Lantern Making and Roman events to be popular as well. Visit the countryside website for full details of all the events that you can enjoy and make sure you appreciate the delights of Chard Reservoir, Ham Hill and Yeovil Country Park.
More events are scheduled for the coming months and full details can be found at www.southsomersetcountryside.com as well as booking information where appropriate. Christmas Crafts and Rustic Rudolph events will be confirmed and released in the coming weeks.
Planning for 2019 events will take place in November. If there are events that you have attended and particularly enjoyed or if there are events you would like to see happen at Chard Reservoir, Ham Hill Country Park or Yeovil Country Park, get in touch on our social media pages: Facebook, Twitter (@SSDCCountryside) or Instagram (@southsomersetcountryside).