Wildside Activity Centre

Maps and Trails - learn some map reading skills then put them to good use finding the orienteering symbols round the centre. Pre - booking required. Phone 01902 845612 to book your space

Want to get your wheels turning smoothly and safely? We have a free Dr Bike (minor repairs) and security marking session here on Sat 26th 10-2pm. NO need to book as we will deal on a first come first serve basis (there may be a waiting time if everyone turns up at once).

Looking forward to being part of today's with Darren Eden Communities here at The Crafty Gardener . We're sure the weather is going to brighten up so come along and join us

Despite the weather our summer holiday programme is really hotting up! There's still time to book on some of our activities - go to https://bit.ly/44sanBg to find out more

There's still time to join in the fun with our teddy bear play and stay session on 22 August https://bit.ly/44sanBg

Join Eden Project Communities at the 2nd of this 4-date roadshow, bringing The Big Lunch to Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, continuing with The Crafty Gardener, on Friday 18 August 2023, 12-3pm.

Each centre will host their own Big Lunch, between July and September, to showcase their projects as well as supporting partners and other linked organisations.

Registration Link: https://tinyurl.com/36azuwdh

Following Big Lunch tradition, we will be asking everybody to bring something to the table, and contributing a little something ourselves as we share friendship, food and fun.

There’ll be lots of family-friendly activities, like seed sowing, taking cuttings and herbal teas, to connect you with each other and The Reans as you get to know the people and projects playing a part in our community.

We'll be encouraging you to get crafty and have partner organisations, as well as this awesome foursome, on site showcasing how they work together and with us.

Whether you’re an organisation or an individual, this is a great opportunity to bring together and shine a light on some of this region’s community-spirited fine folk.

So, let’s make more good stuff happen in the Reans!



The Crafty Gardener Wildside Activity Centre Gatis Community Space

The fairytale folk are getting ready to move back into the woods at Wildside. Join us on Wednesday 10-12 to make a miniature den, the only limit is your imagination. Phone the office to book your place 01902 754612.

The Teddy Bears have been planning a few activities ready for the fantastic Teddy Bear Play and Stay session in Wildside's woods on 22nd August. Why not come along with your Teddy and see what adventures you get up to... there'll even be time for a picnic! https://bit.ly/44sanBg

The rather unseasonal weather almost put a stop to our recent beer tasting boat trip. But thanks to the generosity of Marston's Brewery At Wolverhampton Holden's Brewery Ltd and Brains beer and the expertise of Master Brewer Richard Westwood, the afternoon was far from a washout! If a beer tasting boat trip sounds appealing, keep a look out for details of our Christmas programme.... warming winter ales anyone?

A great last day for the exhibition. We asked you to tell us in three words 'What nature means to me' and our wildness to wellness nature tree is full of your amazing answers. We can't wait to put all your responses on to our website and share them. Thank you to Creative Black Country and everyone who came along to support our event . Look out for future events at www.wildsideac.co.uk

Great to see one of our volunteer artists come and see his work being shown as part of our exhibition at The Mander Community Hub

Mark by coming along to Wildside Activity Centre Sounds of Green in Black exhibition taking place today at the Mander Centre Commun Hub. The exhibition explores how the people and communities of the Back Country engage with the nature of their doorstep

A great first day at the exhibition. Thanks to Creative Black Country for their support. We're at the ManderCentre until 16 July. Come along and say hello.

🚴FREE BIKE CHECKS! Dr Bike will be running sessions in Queen Square today at 11am until 2pm.
Qualified mechanics will check your bike, carry out minor repairs and provide advice. No need to book, but if demand is high, you may need to wait.
Further sessions: Queen Square, 11am-2pm: 17th July, 24th July, 31st July, 7th August.

Great be part of today's celebration of the Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve alongside the Friends of the Smestow Valley, Gatis Community Space Canal & River Trust Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust and more...

Hands up if you’re looking for something amazing to do this summer! Why not come along to Wildside Activity Centre where there’s a host of activities that allow you to explore the nature that’s all around you. Details of our holiday programme can be found here: https://bit.ly/44sanBg

Please phone to book your places. Tel: 01902 754612

Wildside is holding an exhibition of our volunteers' work. Sounds of Green in Black which has been funded by Creative Black Country features photographs and sound recordings of the nature on our doorstep here in Wolverhampton. You will also be able to hear interviews with local residents telling the stories of how they engage with nature. Sounds of Green in Black runs from Thursday 13th- Sunday 16th July at The Community Hub, Mander Centre, WV1.

Are you feeling lucky? Would you like to be in with a chance of winning an amazing prize? Wildside has signed up to Community Lottery to help raise much needed funds and support the work we do here at the centre. So why not try your luck safe in the knowledge you are also helping an amazing cause. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/3XhQJ8I

So after an incredible session involving leaf dye (Hapa-zome) last week our Little Explorers made some amazing clay creatures (and some of the parents enjoyed getting involved on the log stepping stones as well!). So what will our forest school inspired learners be doing today? Check in later this week to find out.

Take our Little Explorers quiz. Our young learners recently enjoyed a session in which they tried their hands at Hapa-zome, but what does Hapa-zome mean? a) parachute wave b) leaf dye c) water play

The colour and light reflections on our ponds created an incredible natural gallery today

Are you looking for something special to do on Father's Day? How about being a Narrowboat Captain for the day? Try your hand at steering the boat and see how many questions you can answer on our Nautical themed quiz. For details go to https://bit.ly/3p2rFG8 or call 01902 754612 to book your place.

Thanks to Wolverhampton Volunteers for its recent feature on Wildside Activity Centre - a green oasis in our city!

WVCA - Wolverhampton Voluntary & Community Action on Twitter “👀 In our latest Voluntary Sector Focus, we hear from Mark Hand - Business Development Manager - - https://t.co/Fj7wovUsnv”

Thanks to everyone who came along to the Wildside Activity Centre stand at the Wolverhampton Volunteers Expo on Tuesday. The event received some great coverage in the Express & Star bit.ly/3Cmnqbo (apologies for the pic of the strange looking man holding a narrowboat!)

Expo gives chance to learn more about volunteering opportunities It was a day to learn, to inform and to take up opportunities about volunteering.

Looking forward to being part of Wolverhampton Volunteers Volunteer Expo today. Come along to the Civic Centre in Wolverhampton to find out about the range of volunteering opportunities in the city

Samosas, certificates and several rounds of quizzing - a fantastic day celebrating with some of our volunteers as part of . It was just a small thank you for everything our volunteers do for Wildside Activity Centre . It was especially pleasing to be able to say a huge thanks to Chris who has been volunteering with us for 15 years! So well done Chris Pritchard and all your fellow

There are a few places left on our "Proud of our City" boat trip. There will be live music and light refreshments along the way. Feel free to bring your own bottle with you. This trip is for ALL members of our local community to enjoy a fun trip along the canal. Please phone 01902 754612 to book your trip.

A wonderful holiday boat trip in the sunshine was made particularly special today as we hosted our oldest passenger to date. Leslie, aged 92 came along with his niece for the return trip to Wightwick. From what he told us Leslie thoroughly enjoyed his first ever trip on a narrowboat which is proof, if ever it was needed, that you're never too mature to try new things.

Volunteers' Week 1-7 June is a chance to thank volunteers for the fantastic contribution they make nationally and to celebrate the role they play in organisations and communities around the country. We couldn't do what we do here Wildside Activity Centre without the help of our volunteers. So this week - and every week of the year - we want to say, thank you for everything you do.

Wildside has signed up to Wolverhampton's latest community initiative to help raise much needed funds and support the work we do here at the centre. Wolverhampton Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for good causes in Wolverhampton. Tickets for the lottery cost just £1 a week 60% of which goes to your chosen good cause ( which we hope will be Wildside!) and each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week - the top prize being £25,000! So if you want to be in with a chance of winning a weekly prize whilst helping Wildside, then go to https://bit.ly/3WrU5Wv to find out more.

We are looking for someone to move a small shed for us from Penn to Whitmore Reans. We will dismantle, load and off load so it is literally just moving it for us. The biggest panel is 7ft x 8ft. If you have a van large enough please can you leave your contact details and I will get in touch with you on Monday. Thanks very much

“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing–absolutely nothing–half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” This much used quote from Wind in the Willows may be over 100 years old, but we still believe it still rings true today. Come and see if you agree. Our May Bank Holiday activity programme has three canoeing sessions for you to try out. Go to https://bit.ly/3Mx5DTR for information and booking details

Bookings have now closed.

What 'batter' way to mark National Fish & Chip day than to take a pleasant trip down the relaxing waterways of our canal network and stopping off to enjoy a portion of Britain's favourite takeaway. Our Fish & Chip boat trip leaves the '(had)-dock' on Saturday 27th May and anyone worth their salt (and vinegar) should be on it! For more details go to: https://bit.ly/3IG0Y0L

Wednesday 17th May is National Numeracy Day. Numeracy skills involve understanding numbers by counting, solving number problems, measuring, estimating, sorting, noticing patterns, or adding and subtracting numbers, Nature provides lots of fun examples for you to help build these skills - make a guess at how tall the tree is? How many spots on the ladybird? What shapes are there in our Bug Hotel? Whatever you choose to do tomorrow let Nature help you with the numbers.

We had a great time working with students from Abu Bakr school last week. Everyone worked hard problem-solving in and around our woodlands and canal side (one of the main problems to solve was how to avoid the torrential downpours that punctuated the day)! Wildside offers a great natural learning environment right on your doorstep, so if you would like to find out how Wildside can enhance the teaching opportunities for your students call us on 01902 754612.