SWT Tamworth Group Wild About Tamworth The SWT Tamworth Group is one of 10 local groups The Wild About Tamworth project started in 2003 with the aim Wild About spanning the length and breadth of the county. Run by of creating new Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) and improving volunteers, these groups connect thousands of people with existing reserves and wild spaces for both people and wildlife. the natural world every year through hundreds of indoor Tamworth and outdoor wildlife themed talks, walks and special events. Volunteers are essential to the project and across Tamworth there are nine conservation groups helping to protect and Indoor events improve the reserves by carrying out a variety of tasks from Contact Sylvia O’Sullivan on 01827 54655. bench and bridge installations to creating otter holts, planting Indoor events are held at St Francis’ Church, Masefield new hedgerows and creating wildflower meadows. Drive, Tamworth, B79 8JB. Admission £2, includes refreshments, starting at 7:30pm. Join your local conservation group today! No previous experience is required and full instructions are given for all tasks. Tools, gloves, training and refreshments are provided. All you need is suitable clothing and footwear.

People of all ages and abilities can get involved, but under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult at all times.

More than just practical work 4th September: David McDowell - Honey and those that If practical conservation work isn’t your thing, there are make it loads of ways to get involved with Wild About Tamworth. Our conservation groups need co-ordinators, secretaries and 2nd October: Joan Lockley - Hedgehogs, A prickly problem treasurers to help run the groups.

Handy with a computer? Why not use your skills to help with websites and social media? Better in the kitchen? Our groups always welcome help providing refreshments.

We’re also looking for volunteer wardens to help keep an eye on the reserves, record wildlife and report any problems. If a local reserve is somewhere you enjoy visiting, why not sign up? Events, talks, walks For more details contact the Wild About Tamworth Officer on the details below. and conservation tasks 6th November: Tim Haseldene - TVWP Update

4th December : Andy Holt - Secret Life of Kingfishers

Walks Contact us: Wild About Tamworth Officer Contact Sue Jones on 01827 703779. Arrangements Wildlife Trust July to December 2018 will be made and advertised in the New Year. Tel: 07970 067711 Email: [email protected] All proceeds raised from events Web: www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk Copyright Staffordshire Wildlife Trust 2013 go towards the work of Registered charity no 259558 Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Front cover photograph by Gillian Day Our local volunteer groups Tameside Wildlife Conservation Group Wildlife Conservation Group Fazeley Wilnecote There are nine active conservation groups in Tamworth, run by Second Sunday of the month, 10am to 1pm. Meet at the south Last Saturday of the month, meeting at 10:30am. All tasks trained members. New volunteers are always welcome, so why end of the lake, just north of Meadowbank. Parking available on carried out around southern part of Kettlebrook LNR. Meet not join your local group today? Ventura Retail Park. Contact Mandy Austin on 07541 864 436. at entrance on Quarry Hill, opposite Red Lion pub. For more No previous experience is required. For practical tasks full 8th July: Pond and himalayan balsam management information ot to get involved contact Joan Jenkins on 01827 instruction, tools, gloves and refreshments are provided. 12th August: Balsam management and hedge maintenance 286147 or [email protected] 9th September: Nest box management 28th July: Path maintenance Park Wildlife Group 14th October: Boardwalk & platform maintenance 25th August: Access maintenance Dosthill 11th November: Dead hedge maintenance 29th September: Bramble maintenance First Sunday of the month, 10am to 1pm. Meet at the car park 9th December: Willow & dead hedge maintenance 27th October: Tree management on Blackwood Road (opposite Dorcas Centre). Contact Dave 24th November: Tree management Ansell on 01827 282594 or [email protected] Friends of Wigginton Park 29th December : Winter walk 1st July: Meadow and pond survey. Balsam removal Leyfields 21st July: Bat walk. Meet 9.30am. Park by childrens play area Second Sunday of most months, 2pm to 4pm. Meet outside Hodge Lane Conservation Group off Blackwood road. (SK214008, B77 1JE) the rugby club at the end of Solway Close. Contact Richard 5th August: Park maintenance & litter pick Kingstone on 07723 411543 or [email protected] 2nd September: Boardwalk maintenance. Plant willow Last Sunday of the month, 10am to 12pm. Meet at the entrance off Chandlers Drive. Contact Diane Wells on 01827 7th October: Bird box check & maintenance. Scrub control 9th September: Ditch Maintenance 703820 or [email protected] 4th November: Path clearance. Tree thinning 14th October: Tree management 2nd December: Group winter walk 11th November: Litter pick 29th July: Footpath management & vegetation clearance 9th December: Winter walk 26th August: Path & tool maintenance Friends of the Lakes 30th September: Trip to area of biological interest Belgrave and Stonydelph 28th October: Tree management in the dell First Sunday of the month, 10:30am to 12:30pm. Meet at the 25th November: Tree management in Oak & Hawthorn wood bench near the Haltonlea entrance to the nature reserve. Broad Meadow Group 30th December: Winter walk Contact Margaret Clarke on 01827 330669 or mmclarke@sky. Coton com Third Wednesday of the month, 10am to 12pm. Meet at the 1st july: Path maintenance (Belgrave) end of Lincoln Avenue. Contact Wild About Tamworth Officer 5th August: Path maintenance (Stonydelph) on 07970 067711 or [email protected] 2nd September: Access maintenance & path clearance 18th July: Summer walk (Belgrave) 15th August: Path maintenance 7th October: Big old tidy & litter pick (Stonydelph) 19th September: Site surveys 4th November: Bramble clearance (Belgrave) 17th October: Tree management 2nd December: Bramble and scrub clearance (Stonydelph) 21st November: Dead hedge maintenance Town Wall Conservation Group 19th December: Winter walk Wilnecote Friends of Warwickshire Moor Bolehall Second Saturday of the month, 10:30am to 12:30pm. Meet at end of Sycamore, off Hockley Road, Wilnecote. Contact Third Sunday of the month, 10am to 1pm. Meet at the entrance Know someone aged 11 - 25 [email protected] off Moor Lane near the end of Leedham Avenue. Contact the interested in conservation? group on 07968 495494 or [email protected] 14th July: Path maintenance Free youth volunteer taster days and skills 11th August: Meadow management 15th July: Path maintenance sessions available for 11-25 year olds! Learn new 8th September: Path maintenance 19th August: Meadow management skills, improve your CV and make a difference in 13th October: Scrub control 16th September: Reed bed management your local community. 10th November: Tree thinning 21st October: Willow management 8th December: Nest box maintenance 18th November: Willow & path management Contact Nicola for more information on 16th December: Christmas bonfire [email protected] or 07971 912071. Part of the Tame Valley Wetlands.