So, school has finally broken up and summer is here!  We have loads of fantastic activities, events and courses running for all ages; have a look below to see what’s happening throughout the year…

Our “Love your Garden” workshops start on Tuesday 26th July, this weekly workshop is run in conjunction with The Shropshire Wildlife Trust.  These activities will be held every Tuesday throughout the summer, from 10.30am-2.30pm and they are completely FREE!
So, bring a picnic and come and join in the fun. 

Tuesday 26th July starts off with a Fordhall Farm Bioblitz! Come and help us with a giant wildlife survey on the farm,  there will be a chance to do some pond dipping, bird watching and even set up a moth trap.

Tuesday 2nd August we will be looking at Amazing Amphibians and Reptiles.  Simon Airey will lead a talk on reptiles and amphibians and show you the wonderful world of our slippy and slithery friends.  After lunch, there will be a craft session where you get the chance to make your own frog, newt or toad to take home.

Tuesday 9th August is Mega Mini-beasts; you can join a giant bug hunt and discover how to welcome these brilliant small creatures into your garden.

Tuesday 16th August is all about Brilliant Birds, you can search the skies of Fordhall for our many feathered friends and make your very own bird box and feeder to take home with you.

Tuesday 23rd August, we will be admiring Marvellous Mammals, you can find out all about the little mammals that may visit your own garden at home, learn how to look for mammal tracks and trails and help us make a home for hedgehogs at Fordhall.

Tuesday 30th August rounds all of these activities off with a Wacky Wildlife Party! Join us as we celebrate the summertime and all the wildlife in our back gardens and surrounding areas.  You can also find out how to enter the “Love your Garden” Competition and make your garden wildlife friendly – great prizes to be won!

 ALSO at Fordhall Farm this year:

An example monoprint

On Saturday 30th July, you can take part in a Print Making Workshop. Here you can create your own, unique artwork with local artist Helen Thompstone.  She will be here to teach you a simple mono-printing technique that you can put into practice on your artwork.  Think you haven’t got a creative bone in your body? This is the perfect way to start testing out your artistic talent!

This is from 10am-12pm and only £15 per person!

Friday 5th August is Family Pizza Day! Come and join Bex Syrett, our Community Garden Officer in our picnic area where you can make, bake and eat your own pizza in our outdoor clay oven! This session is from 10am-1pm and only £15 per person.  

Rag Rug by Lynne Stein

At Fordhall on Saturday 13th August Lynne Stein will be here teaching traditional rag rug techniques.  The course is suitable for total beginners as well as those with more experience.  This is a great opportunity to reuse and recycle old material that you have lying around. The course is from 10am-4pm, £50 per person and includes lunch from our local food tearoom!

On Thursday 18th August at Fordhall Farm there is the chance to learn how to get the best out of your compost heap AND enjoy a delicious hot drink and homemade cake too, come down to Coffee, Cake and Compost with Bex!From 10am-12.30pm and costs £7.50 per person. 

Pippestrelle Bat

On Thursday 1st September we are having a Brilliant Bat Bonanza.  Come for walk around Fordhall Farm with our very own Batman, Dan Merrett, from The Bat Conservation Trust.  He will be here to help us to identify the bats that we see and show us how they feed and where they roost.  It starts at 7.45pm and it’s FREE!

Saturday 3rd September is Fordhall’s Beer and Music Festival, with great local beer, great local food and great local music!!  From 11am-11pm we will be enjoying the sounds of Buffalo Riot, Raw Lemon, Pre Sleep Monologue, Heidi and the Brownies, Alfie Chevans plus many more great bands!  Tickets £10 in advance/ £15 on the door.  Camping is also available for £5.  Keep an ear to the ground for more information coming soon.

Weasel Diesel at 2010 Beer Festival

Fancy having a go at Basket Weaving?  Why not come down on Saturday 17th September  and learn the traditional art of willow weaving with experienced weavers Helen and Kevin Stanley and take home your very own basket.  This creative session is from 10am-4pm and costs £45 per person.

For those of you who have artistic talent The Big Draw event will be held here at Fordhall on Sunday 16th October.  Get your creative fingers at the ready… 

And finally, come and celebrate Halloween with us on Saturday 29th October with Fordhall Fun and Frights.  This Spooktacular event is full of treats for all the family! 

To book on any of the courses, events or activities please get in touch with Beth or Becca in the office on 01630 638696 or email project@fordhallfarm.com