Wildside Activity Centre

January can feel like a difficult month for many of us, but getting out into nature can often help to boost our sense of well being. We hope this quote inspires you as much as it did us to get out and enjoy (and look after!) the nature around you: "whenever you feel dispirited, weary, or down, simply look up to the trees and you’ll feel better. Love a tree today because trees are keeping us and this planet alive" (Anon)

Thinking about making a New Years Resolution? How about joining in with the "Mains to Rains” pledge: Water the way nature intended. It may seem like a strange time to be thinking about saving water but setting up good habits now will help in the summer when its really needed.

Mains water usage in our homes and gardens is often highest when water availability is lowest – in hot, dry periods. However, by adopting a few simple pledges, we can all make our gardens and outdoor spaces thrive on the rainfall we receive by collecting it and re-using it during dry spells. So let’s change "from mains to rains"
To make your pledge go to: https://mains2rains.uk

Big Garden Birdwatch | The RSPB

Big Garden Birdwatch is fun, free and for everyone. And you don’t need a garden to take part! Counting birds from your balcony, or your local park will play a vital role in helping us understand how UK birds are doing. Sign up for the free RSPB guide and let's look out for birds together on 27-29 January.

Big Garden Birdwatch | The RSPB Sign up for your free guide and let's look out for birds together on 27-29 January.

Happy New Year from everyone at Wildside Activity Centre!

It's that quiet time between Christmas and New Year, so why not get out into nature and enjoy the beauty of a winter's day. Hopefully it will be more bright and crisp and even rather than wet and windy, but whatever the weather, getting out into nature is a great way to boost your mental and physical health and well being.

Merry Christmas to all our friends, colleagues and supporters from everyone Wildside Activity Centre

We are now closed until Tuesday 3rd January. We wish everyone a happy and healthy festive season and look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

Throughout history festive decorations have centred on the use of evergreen plants. They symbolise the promise of new life returning in the spring. During the 19th century wreaths were made to hang on the front door. These wreaths were also known as ‘welcome rings’ and usually consisted of holly, ivy, pine cones and ribbons. As we prepare to close our office for the holidays we would like to wish you all a happy festive season and we look forward to welcoming you to Wildside in 2023. (thanks to Maggy Mason for the photo)

And to wish everyone who came along to enjoy one of Wildside Activity Centre festive boat trips, a wonderful, safe and happy holiday period!

Ho ho ho and Merry Xmas!

We soon discovered it was himself coming to say hello to some of his friends taking a trip along the canal...

We heard rumours there was someone special visiting Wolverhampton this weekend, so we took our Wildside Activity Centre camera out to find out more...

There are some great suggestions here from the Wildlife Trusts. Add a little nature into your holiday time.

Spending time surrounded by nature is amazing for our physical and mental wellbeing. That’s why we’ve created ! We challenge you to connect with nature every day from 25-5 Jan 🎄 www.wildlifetrusts.org/12dayswild

The "Elf and Safety" patrol were out this morning - checking that all routes for boats and sleighs were clear of ice for tomorrow. We are delighted to report that we are all good for our boat trip in the morning. Please wear warm clothes. (all Elves have been given Hot Chocolate before they have gone back to making toys for the big day). We look forward to seeing all our visitors tomorrow - including one very special one!

Winter Water Safety

After the tragic incident of last weekend, West Midlands Fire Service have issued the following advice to help keep people safe: https://bit.ly/3hwiHx3
The West Midlands Fire Service Winter Water Safety webpage also contains general water safety information.

Winter Water Safety Winter Water Safety City of Wolverhampton Council sent this bulletin at 15-12-2022 03:59 PM GMT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together Winter Water Safety After the tragic incident over the weekend, please follow the advice below issued by West....

Our Little Explorers finished for the holidays this week. With toasting marshmallows, making bird feeders, having parachute adventures and creating festive decorations amongst the many other things they enjoyed doing this term, it has certainly been a busy time. If you would like to find out more about Little Explorers, our forest school inspired pre-school group, call us on 01902 754612.

Winter can be a difficult time of year. As the leaves fall, along with light levels and temperatures, it can seem like a season to be endured rather than enjoyed. In a world that is ever more "non-stop", where we are available almost continuously, slowing down can feel like a luxury. Winter is a time of incubation, restoration and secret preparation for the spring and nature reminds us that a little down time allows us to recharge our batteries both mentally and physically.

Despite the cold there was some lovely wildlife to be seen out and about near the Centre on Saturday. Both a Kingfisher and a Heron popped out to say hello as the Trebalisa went past. Plus we had a very special visitor on our boat trip - can you spot him too? Lovely to see so many happy smiling faces. Thanks to Lisa for the photographs.

It looks like pond dipping might be off the agenda for a couple of days! The frost and ice are getting us in an early festive mood, but there's still plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of the winter landscape before then.

There's been a 'buzz' about Wildside recently after this magnificent creature was spotted taking some time out to survey the local habitat from one of our trees. The young buzzard remained with us for quite a while which gave us the opportunity to take in the incredible beauty of this bird of prey.

The Friends of the Smestow Valley have organised a Festive Litter Pick - they are a very friendly group so you are sure of a warm welcome. If you can spare just an hour and a half to help keep our nature reserve clean it would be very much appreciated. https://bit.ly/3iFjpZe

Say not to violence against women and girls. Wildside Activity Centre is supporting the United Nations 16 days of Action November 25 November - December 10. http://bit.ly/3iH0U6M

Even in the darker, colder winter months nature provides us with such beauty. Congratulations to the lovely ladies who joined us on Wednesday to make these fabulous wreaths - they look like the olympic rings when put all together and they are certainly deserving of a gold medal.
If you fancy getting creative this Christmas join us for the second in our decoration series this Wednesday at 10am for paper decorations. Just £10 per person with all materials/refreshments provided and no experience necessary. All you have to bring is enthusiasm. Phone 01902 754612 to book your space

If you are interested in enjoying the benefits of getting out in the fresh air and taking some gentle exercise, Wolverhampton's Walking for Health group – now renamed as Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Wolverhampton has a new selection of free walks for people to enjoy. For more details on what they offer and how you can get involved, go to: https://bit.ly/3A2OqMp.

Get into the Christmas mood and join us for a fabulous wreath making workshop. You will make a willow base (reuseable for other events and for years to come) and then decorate with foliage to make a delightful decoration to hang up outside on your door. Just £10 per person with seasonal refreshments included. Wednesday 30th November 10-12.30. Phone 01902 754612 to book your place - numbers limited.

If you are looking to take advantage of Amazon deals this Black Friday or at any time during the run up to Christmas then you could help support Wildside. By accessing Amazon through smile.amazon.co.uk and nominating Wildside as your chosen charity, a donation on every purchase will be made to us at no extra cost to yourselves. So, if you are shopping on line then make us smile by helping to support our amazing cause

Get into the Christmas mood and join us for a fabulous wreath making workshop. You will make a willow base (reuseable for other events and for years to come) and then decorate with foliage to make a delightful decoration to hang up outside on your door. Just £10 per person with seasonal refreshments included. Wednesday 30th November 10-12.30. Phone 01902 754612 to book your place - numbers limited.

There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing apparently. Well if you join us for our CANALSIDE STROLL this Thursday 24th make sure you dress for whatever the British weather has in store. As well as the opportunity to enjoy being part of nature, we will also be taking some mindful breaks en route. This FREE event is a perfect way to combat the stresses and strains of modern life. Join Canal & River Trust and Wildside Activity Centre Canalside Stroll Thursday 24th November 10.30am -12.30pm. Click for more details http://bit.ly/3EPh7iF

Have we unearthed hidden treasure in the canal here at Wildside Activity Centre ? Well we think so! It's part of an innovative system we're installing that will help us in our aim to achieve carbon neutral status. Look out for more details on this incredible project soon.

Want to entertain the kids this Christmas? There are a few spaces left on our Santa boat trips. All details on the flyer below. Please ring the office to book your spaces

There are a few spaces left on our Santa boat trips - come along and hang out with the big guy himself whilst having a relaxing cruise down the canal. All trips include a gift for every child and refreshments for everyone. Phone 01902 754612 to book your places

Little Explorers is our Forest School programme for preschool children. It is a nature based, child-centred inspirational learning process that allows children to learn and grow through play. This week they have been making Hapa-Zome Christmas cards. Little Explorers runs on a Monday - one of three sessions 9.30 - 10.45am, 11.15-12.30am, or 1.15-2.30pm. Ring us on 01902 754612 to book a place.

Feeling the Festive spirit and looking to jazz up your decorations with something new? Come and make some delightful environmentally friendly decorations. On the 30th November you can weave a willow wreath (reusable for future years) and decorate it with foliage and ribbons. On the 7th December join us to make a variety of paper decorations and a little treat box.

Each workshops runs10am-12.30pm. £10 per person with refreshments included (suitable for adults only). Pre-booking is needed. Call 01902 754612 or email [email protected]

Would you like to get out into nature whilst helping to keep your local environment litter free? Wildside is working with & River Trust and the Friends of the Smestow Valley group to offer two Litter Picks on Thursday 10th and Saturday12th November. For more details on these two free events, go to https://bit.ly/3t1iPHc

Have a spectacularly safe Bonfire Night! Enjoy your celebrations and look after yourselves, your animals and the environment!

If you are working in your garden this weekend, try not to be quite so 'enthusiastic' when it comes to clearing the ivy. It's not always a plant we give too much thought to, but the little green flowers of the ivy are one of the best sources of pollen and nectar for late insects. Find a big patch of ivy on a sunny autumn day and it could be (literally) buzzing with bees like the Ivy Bee, which hatches late in the year specifically to catch the ivy pollen. You may even be lucky enough to see a lovely late butterfly like a Red Admiral feeding and showing off its colours in the autumn sun.

(Whitmore Reans= 'white mist over the furrows'). Well it was certainly a lovely misty morning over the canal first thing today. Check out the beauty all around us by heading out into the nature on your doorstep this weekend

We are currently experiencing a problem with our phone line and are not able to make or receive phone calls. The fault is being investigated but we apologise for any inconvenience caused by this issue. We will update you as the situation progresses.

Can anyone recommend a scaffolding company who may want to support a small local charity in its drive towards becoming self-sufficient in renewable energy? Wildside Activity Centre is currently in the process of putting in a green heating system and we need to install solar panels on the roof of our centre. We have been told the installation will only take three days to complete, so if there’s a company out there who would like to be associated with an innovative green energy project – we’d be happy to shout your name from the rooftops (quite literally) or more sensibly via social media and our press communications. Get in touch via 01902 754612 or by emailing [email protected]

It was a great evening with you all and I can't wait to see the results!

Huge THANK YOU to Mark and Mick at Wildside Activity Centre for facilitating an ultra top secret mission for our youth club this evening. Fun was had, mission was accomplished, learning was experienced ❤️🤣❤️