GREEN GANG GREENFAMILY GANG ACTIVITIES DURING APRIL 2012 EASTER FUN WITH WHITE CLIFFS COUNTRYSIDE PARTNERSHIP Welcome to the April edition of the Green Gang magazine full of fun events to do and a competition to keep you busy during the holidays. Green Gang is a special programme of activities for children and their families that has been running for nearly 20 years. This scheme offers children a chance to learn more about their local wildlife and countryside—All of the events are free, although a donation is very wel- come to help cover the running costs of the Green Gang, and to ensure that the programme continues. Please remember that ALL children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the events. THE GREEN GANG MAGAZINE PLACES TO VISIT FOR FREE!

Due to financial pressures this Green Gang magazines is There are lots of places that are free to visit in only available digitally at the moment, unless you are a the beautiful Downs Area of Outstanding member of the Countryside Club who receive printed Natural Beauty around and Folkestone. copies. You can download a copy of this magazine from Visit Samphire Hoe in late April or early May to our website at www.whitecliffscountryside.org.uk where see the display of early spider orchids. The col- you will find even more events to enjoy. ony at Samphire Hoe is one of the largest in Britain. In May, why not take a walk on Folke- FOSSIL EGGS stone Downs to see the early purple orchids and The word fossil comes from the other early spring wild flowers, or in June, discover the Latin ‘fossilis’, which means ‘dug common spotted orchids on Dover’s Western Heights, with up’. brilliant views over Dover.

What is a fossil? Fossils are the remains of plants and animals (often in a COMPETITION WINNERS changed form) or traces of them, such as a burrow in the sand Congratulations to James Gill of which has been preserved in rock. Eastry, Esme Pearson of Folkestone Join our fossil forays on 3rd and 5th April to learn more and Katie Weston of Ash. They all about them and to find out what a fossil egg is! found the 8 bird names in the February newsletter. The beach at is one of the best places in They will each receive a book on fossils. Well Done! south-east England to find fossils.

JOIN OUR COUNTRYSIDE CLUB! COUNTRYSIDE CLUB Please send this slip, together with a cheque (made Join the Countryside Club to receive all our leaflets for a year, including Green Gang and payable to Council) to WCCP, C/o Guided walks, all for a donation of £3 (minimum) to cover the cost of post and packing! Dover District Council, White Cliffs Business Park, Or, become a friend of WCCP which costs £10 a year to join. Dover, Kent. CT16 3PJ). Contributing to the Countryside Club helps White Cliffs Countryside Partnership to £3 other £____ or £10 (friend) manage the local wildlife areas in Dover and Shepway districts, to encourage people to visit these sites with leaflets and information, to create walking and cycling Name:______trails and also enables us to organize a large number of events throughout the year Address:______including the Green Gang events during the school holidays. There are lots of other ways you can support us including: ______

 Joining a guided walk, help as a Countryside volunteer or warden. ______

 Or visiting one of our sites like Samphire Hoe, Western Heights, Postcode: ______GG Easter 12 Folkestone Downs or Folkestone Warren.

White Cliffs Countryside Partnership Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership c/o Dover District Council, Romney Marsh Day Centre, Rolfe Lane, White Cliffs Business Park, New Romney, Kent TN28 8JR Dover, Kent CT16 3PJ. Tel (01304) 241806 Tel/Fax: (01797) 367934 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.whitecliffscountryside.org.uk Website: www.rmcp.co.uk EVENTS START HERE... Wednesday 4th April 10.00am – 4.00pm DOVER MUSEUM – EASTER CARDS AND BUNNIES CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED Adults and children alike can celebrate Easter by designing and mak- ing an Easter card and a range of Easter Bunny themed things. Drop Please note that children under 18 must be accompa- in anytime between 10am and 4pm. Entry to the Museum is free on nied at all times by a parent or guardian. It is the re- Family Days. There is no charge for the activity. LEADER: Kim Nor- sponsibility of the adult to make sure that their chil- ton, Dover Museum (01304 201066). MEET: Dover Museum, Market Square, Dover. dren are safe and well behaved, not the responsibility of the leader of the Green Gang event. Many events Wednesday 4th April, two sessions: 10.30am and 1.30pm take time to set up beforehand, so please don’t let FAMILY EVENT - NEST BOX DAY (Please book) unruly behaviour spoil the event for everyone else. Make your own nest box, get tips on encouraging nesting birds to your home and garden, watch birds nesting on the reserve and take part in the nest box knockout. Do all this and more during this special day. CARING FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE Separate charge applies for nest box-making activity. Equipment, materials and supervision are provided Children must be accompa- ‘Caring for the Countryside’ events are practical con- nied by an adult. CHARGE: RSPB: Wildlife Explorer members £1.50, servation days where local people carry out practical non-members £3. Accompanying adults £1.Booking essential. Call in work to improve the sites for wildlife and people. The to the Visitor Centre or ring us on 01797 320588 to book LEADER: RSPB (01797 320588). MEET: RSPB Dungeness nature reserve, leader will explain about the work and how to use the Boulder wall Farm, Dungeness Road, Lydd, Kent TN29 9PN. DURA- tools. You don’t have to stay all day – it is OK to come TION: 2 hours. along for an hour or two. Children (under 18) must be Thursday 5th April 3.00pm accompanied at all times by a parent or responsible FOSSIL FORAY (Green Gang) A family fossil foray in the East Cliff & Warren Country adult. We provide gloves, as well as water and bis- Park. An opportunity to see some of the fossils found on cuits, but please wear boots that protect your toes and the site with a chance to find your own fossils to take home. Please have good grip, and bring a cold drink and packed wear strong footwear and take care on the rocks. Suggested donation of £2 per child appreciated. LEADER: Phil Green, White Cliffs Coun- lunch. Contact us on 01304 241806 if you would like tryside Partnership (01304 241806 or 07880 706993). MEET: The to come along. Pavilion, Wear Bay Road, Folkestone (TR 239 364). DISTANCE: 1.5 miles (2 hours). GRADE: 5 (rocky shore).

DONATIONS APPRECIATED Good Friday 6th April PROCESSION OF CROSSES This will help us keep Green Gang running and Come and join the annual procession of crosses from Folkestone enable us to continue to offer a future programme town centre to Sugarloaf Hill, or from Dover Town Council offices to the Western Heights. Further information from WCCP (01304 of events. 241806).

Good Friday 6th April - Monday 9 April 11.00am – 3.00pm APRIL 2012 FAMILY EVENT - EASTER TREASURE TRAIL Grab an Easter trail sheet from the Visitor Centre and find the special Sunday 1st April 2.00pm Easter clues around the nature trail. Bring your completed sheet back TRUE OR FOOLED FAMILY WALK (Green Gang) to the Centre to get your yummy Easter prize. No need to book. Join me for a fascinating quiz and stroll around the Hoe to find out if CHARGE: Activity free, normal reserve entry fees apply. Adults £6, our common knowledge about the countryside is true or false. Sug- concessions £4, children £3. There is a 50% discount for RSPB and gested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Steve Walker, White Wildlife Explorer members. LEADER: RSPB. Call in to the Visitor Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01304 225649). MEET: Site Manage- Centre or ring us on 01797 320588 to book. MEET: RSPB Dungeness ment Office, Samphire Hoe (Pay and Display car park), Dover nature reserve, Boulderwall Farm, Dungeness Road, Lydd, Kent TN29 (signposted off the A20 when driving from Dover to Folkestone) (TR 9PN. 294 391 or CT17 9FL). DISTANCE: 1.5 miles (1.5 hours). GRADE: 2. Dogs on leads. Good Friday 6th – Monday 9th April 11.00am – 3.30pm EASTER TRAILS ON THE WHITE CLIFFS Monday 2nd April–Thursday 5th April 11.00am – 3.00pm Easter fun at the White Cliffs. Follow the trail to receive your chocolate EASTER TRAIL AT SOUTH FORELAND LIGHTHOUSE prize. CHARGE: £2 per item. Normal admission charges apply. Easter fun in the grounds of South Foreland Lighthouse. Follow the LEADER: National Trust (01304 202756). MEET: White Cliffs Visitor trail to receive your chocolate prize. Trail is over rough ground. Centre, Langdon Cliffs, Dover. CHARGE: £1.50 per trail sheet. Normal car parking charges apply. LEADER: Jon Barker, National Trust (01304 852463). MEET: At the Friday 6th April 2.00pm lighthouse or use our free minibus that runs between the Visitor Cen- GOOD FRIDAY SAMPHIRE HOE BEACH EGGS tre, White Cliffs and the lighthouse. Dogs on leads welcome. (Green Gang) We shall have fun and games scavenging the beach to find the hidden Tuesday 3rd April 2.30pm treasures of the beach and find out what EGGS-actly lives there??? FOSSIL FORAY, BEACH COMBING AND ROCK Suggested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Steve Walker, POOLING (Green Gang) White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01304 225649). MEET: Site Bring a bag for your fossil treasures and a bucket/old ice management office, Samphire Hoe. The Hoe is sign-posted off the cream tub and net to look at your rock pool animals (all the animals A20 from Dover to Folkestone, postcode: CT17 9FL (pay and display must be put back gently where we find them). Some nets can be pro- car park). DISTANCE: 1 mile (1.5 hours). GRADE: 2. No dogs. vided. You may like to bring a picnic lunch. Please wear shoes with good grip. Suggested donation of £2 Saturday 7th April 2.00pm appreciated. LEADER: Melanie SAMPHIRE HOE WACKY EASTER EGG ROLLING Wrigley, White Cliffs Countryside (Green Gang) Partnership (01304 241806 or Here is your chance to join in the wacky Hoe Easter egg 07880 706990). MEET: St. Marga- rolling. We will provide the special eggs! Suggested donation of £2 ret’s Bay car park (pay and display), appreciated. LEADER: Samphire Hoe Rangers, White Cliffs Country- St. Margaret’s, near Dover (TR 368 side Partnership (01304 225649). MEET: Site management office, 445). DURATION: 2 hours. Samphire Hoe. The Hoe is sign-posted off the A20 from Dover to GRADE: 5 (shingle rock pools). Folkestone (TR 294 391 or CT17 9FL). DISTANCE: 1 mile (1.5 hours). GRADE: 2. Dogs on leads.

Sunday 8th April 11.00am – 3.00pm Friday 13th April 10.15am CARING FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE EASTER BUNNY HUNT SAMPHIRE HOE: HELPING THE HOE Come along to the part and hunt for the elusive Easter Bunny. Follow the Join us to do conservation and maintenance work around this important trail clues, solve the puzzle and be rewarded with a prize from the Easter chalk grassland site. It could include path clearing, beaching clean or Bunny. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear. No booking erosion control. LEADER: For more information call Steve Walker, White required. CHARGE: £5 per child. LEADER: Kent Country Cliffs Countryside Partnership on 01304 225649. MEET: Site Management Parks (08458 247600). MEET: Brockhill Country Park, Office, Samphire Hoe, Dover (signposted off the A20 when driving from Saltwood, Hythe CT21 4HL Dover to Folkestone) Postcode CT17 9FL. Park in the back car park.

Bank Holiday Monday 9th April 2.00pm Saturday 14th April 2.00pm EGG ROLLING ON FOLKESTONE DOWNS (Green Gang) PICTURE THE HOE—SAMPHIRE HOE TRAIL (Green Gang) Come and join the traditional Easter egg rolling competition on Sugarloaf Self-guided trail: Discover the wildlife and art trail around the Hoe. Col- Hill on Folkestone Downs. Please bring your own decorated hard-boiled lect a sheet and a crayon from the office and follow your way around egg (see our web site). Prizes will be given for the best decorated egg. the trail to create a picture to take home. MEET: Site management of- We will then go for a short walk before the grand egg rolling competition fice, Samphire Hoe (Post code: CT17 9FL) (pay and display car park). with prizes for the egg that rolls the furthest. Then we go for a short walk The Hoe is signposted off the A20 from Dover to Folkestone. Dogs on to learn a little about the wildlife of Folkestone Downs and enjoy the views leads. over Folkestone. CHARGE: £2 per child (to cover materials and prizes). LEADER: Kirk Alexander, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01304 Sunday 15th April 10.00am CARING FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE DUNGENESS NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE: BEACH CLEAN 241806 or 07885 599182). MEET: Kissing gate, Entrance to Sugarloaf We will be clearing rubbish from Dungeness National Nature Reserve (NNR) Hill, end of Holywell Avenue, off Canterbury Road (A260), Folkestone (TR along the tide line. We will provide the litter pickers, gloves, bags and of 224 377). DISTANCE: 1 mile (2 hours). GRADE: 4 (steep hill) course the refreshments. Any time given will be appreciated. LEADER:

th Owen Leyshon, Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership (01797 367934 or Tuesday 10 April 10.00am CARING FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE 07770 670316). MEET: Dungeness (stripey) Lighthouse (TR 094 169 or ROMNEY WARREN: FOOTPATHS AND FENCING TN29 9NB). Sheep have been grazing the site over the winter and there will be plenty of fences to repair and footpaths to clear now that spring has arrived. This is so Sunday 15th April 2.00pm that the site can continue to be grazed for the benefit of wildlife and access GUIDED WALK: PRIMROSE PATH IN THE improved for the benefit of people. LEADER: Mark Tuson, Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership (07971 276698). MEET: 10.00am at New Romney FOLKESTONE WARREN HERITAGE COAST. Warren Visitor Centre car park, between New Romney and St. Mary’s Bay, A walk through the dramatic undercliff of the Folkestone Warren. Look- by the railway bridge off the A259 (TR 078 261 or TN28 8AY). ing at the early spring wildlife and in particular, carpets of primroses and the folklore associated with them. Suggested donation of £2 appreci- Tuesday 10th April 2.00pm ated. LEADER: Phil Green, White Cliffs Countryside Project (01304 WATERSHIP DOWN ON WHINLESS DOWN (Green Gang) 241806 or 07880 706993). MEET: The Cliff Top Café (please park Come and find the names of the characters from the book Watership along the road and not in the café car park), Old Dover Road, Capel-le- Down attached to the orienteering posts on Whinless Down. A chocolate Ferne, near Folkestone (TR 254 285). DISTANCE: 4 miles (3 hours). egg prize to those who manage to find all of the bunnies. Please wear GRADE: 5 suitable footwear and clothing. Suggested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Paul Sampson, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01304 Sunday 22nd April 2.00pm 241806 or 07773 619121). MEET: Elms Vale Recreation Ground car GUIDED WALK: SHAKESPEARE CLIFF SONNET WALK park, Elms Vale Road, off Folkestone Road, Dover (TR 299 414 or CT17 Come for a walk through meadows of the Western Heights, part of the 9NN). DISTANCE: 1 mile (1-1.5 hours). GRADE: 3. Dogs on leads. stunning scenery of the Heritage Coast, on top of Shakespeare Cliff with dramatic views out to sea, and theatrical interludes! Walk will be Wednesday 11th April 10.15am CARING FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE along the path close to the cliff edge in one section. Suggested dona- CLARENDON FIELD, WESTERN HEIGHTS: FOOTPATHS AND STEPS tion of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Melanie Wrigley, White Cliffs Country- We will be checking and maintaining the steps, footpaths and invasive side Partnership (01304 241806 or 07880 706990). MEET: St. Martin’s vegetation on this wonderful site overlooking Dover. Please wear sturdy foot- Battery car park, South Military Road, Western Heights, Dover (TR 314 wear and bring your own drinks and packed lunch. LEADER: Paul Sampson, 407). DISTANCE: 4 miles (2.5 hours). GRADE: 4 White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (07773 619121). MEET: Cut of car park, North Military Road, Dover (TR 313 411). MAY 2012

Wednesday 11th April 10.00am – 4.00pm Saturday 5 May 2.00pm FAMILY DAY - DOVER MUSEUM – GREEN MAN COLLAGE GUIDED WALK: EARLY SPIDER ORCHIDS OF SAMPHIRE HOE Adults and children alike can use a variety of materials to make a collage Join in a gentle walk around the Hoe to discover the fascinating life picture of the Green Man. Drop in anytime between 10am and 4pm. Entry story of the Hoe early spider orchids. Suggested donation of £2 appreci- to the Museum is free on Family Days. There is no charge for the activ- ated. LEADER: Paul Holt, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01304 ity. LEADER: Kim Norton (01304 201066). MEET: Dover Museum, Mar- 225649). MEET: Site management office, Samphire Hoe. The Hoe is ket Square, Dover. sign-posted off the A20 from Dover to Folkestone (TR 294 391 or CT17 9FL). DISTANCE: 1 mile (1.5 hours). GRADE: 2. Dogs on leads. Wednesday 11th April 1.30pm BIRDWATCHING EXPLORE AND MAKE (Booking essential) Super swans, daft ducks and hungry herons. Grab a pair of binoculars and join us in the wildlife hides to find the brilliant birds that live here at THE GRADING SYSTEM: Dungeness. Then wander back to the classroom to make a bird model to To help you choose a suitable walk: take home. Equipment, materials and supervision are provided. Children Grade 1 Very easy walk generally on pavements. must be accompanied by an adult. CHARGE: RSPB Wildlife Explorer Grade 2 Easy walk in the countryside with gentle hills. No stiles. members £1.50, non-members £3. Accompanying adults £1. LEADER: Grade 3 Typical country walk with some steeper hills or stiles. RSPB (01797 320588). MEET: RSPB Dungeness nature reserve, Boul- Grade 4 More difficult walking with steep hills or likely to be muddy paths derwall Farm, Dungeness Road, Lydd, TN29 9PN. DURATION: 2 hours. Grade 5 Difficult walks e.g. rocky shores or night walks.

Thursday 12th April 8.30pm Junior Ranger events BIG NEWT – MINUTE (Green Gang) Come and find out about great crested newts, with a short evening walk to look for any newts regardless of size, plus any other night wildlife like frogs and toads or giant diving beetles. We have Suitable for wheelchairs or prams. found Medicinal Leeches in the past, so I hope you are all brave. Bring a torch and wear suitable footwear (ie wellies). Suggested donation of £2 appreciated. LEADER: Mark Tuson, Romney Marsh Countryside Part- We hope to be producing a Green Gang programme for the nership (01797 367934 or 07971 276698). MEET: Romney Marsh Visitor Spring 2012 school holidays. For more information, please Centre, between New Romney and St Mary’s Bay (A259) (TR 078 261) or contact WCCP on 01304 241806 or look on our website at TN28 8AY. DISTANCE: 0.5 mile (1.5 hours). GRADE: 5 (night). Please www.whitecliffscountryside.org.uk bring wellies. MAKE A BEE HOME There are over 200 different types of bees JUNIOR RANGERS in Britain and some like to live in holes in the ground. You can CONGRATULATIONS! help the bees by making a home for them: All you will need is a Congratulations to Samuel terracotta flowerpot with one main hole at the bottom and Casey of Folkestone for something flat and solid to make a plate to put it on. Choose a reaching Bronze (10 spot in a sunny area of your garden and dig a small hole, big events). enough to bury your pot level with the hole at the top. Place the plate at the bot- tom of the hole to keep the pot dry. Collect some dried material, like moss, shredded paper and put it inside the pot. Then carefully turn the pot upside down so that the small Fun Bee Fact: hole is facing upwards. Place the pot on top of the plate. Put back the soil in One bee can visit the hole around the upturned pot and then place some small stones around the between 50-1000 edge of the opening. Keep and eye on it and in a few days you should see some flowers per day. bees investigating their new home! Let us know what you see!

COMPETITION TIME! ROCKING ROCKPOOLING! Complete our wordsearch by finding and circling the Join us on the 3rd April in a Fossil Foray, 8 seashore creatures below in our grid: beach combing and rock-pooling event at St. Anemone Limpet Seaweed Barnacle Margaret’s. Learn all about the fascinating Dog whelk Hermit crab Shrimp Shore crab creatures that live in rock-pools. A N E M O N E E G U X Did you know... that Limpets make a ‘scar’ for themselves in M H T H X Z A P W W D rocks. This is the place where the limpets return to after feeding, D E L O L E M C Q U E and it is the exact fit for their shell, allowing them to hold on O R W C N I R X E P E tighter and to stop big waves entering their shells. G M A C R T M L R K W Barnacles however, permanently fix themselves to rocks, W I Z H R Y C P O K A and never move once they have settled. H T S F G A V N E W E Dog whelks have figured out a way to eat a lunch of lim- pets without having to prise them off their rocks. They simply E C L A N T N S Q T S drill a hole in the top of the limpet shell and suck them out! L R W R T R J H B G Q K A A O L I B A Z R Y GREAT COAST CLEAN Y B A R C E R O H S J According to the Marine Conservation Soci- Send your entry with your name, age and address to ety some of our best-loved marine wildlife is White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, c/o DDC, under threat from the waste and litter in White Cliffs Business Park, Dover, CT16 3PJ by our seas, with hundreds of species acciden- Monday the 7th May to receive a guide to garden birds. tally eating or becoming entangled in litter. Name: ______Age:______Litter on our beaches is also hazardous to people so we all have a part to play in turning the tide on litter. Address: ______Why not join the beach clean at Dungeness on Sunday 15th April and do your bit to help marine wildlife. More details inside. BECOME A JUNIOR RANGER! To find Junior Ranger events look out for the ladybird logo. WELCOME The Junior Ranger events take a closer look at wildlife and ecology. Make notes in TO your nature notebook to earn special Junior Ranger badges and certificates. It Ella Preston from costs £3 to join the Junior Ranger scheme and you start as a Trainee Ranger and Folkestone, and receive your badge and notebook. By attending the events you progress through Eden Coward & the levels from Junior Ranger (5 events) to Peregrine (40 events). Dylan Coward of For an application form contact Sue Bradford on (01304) 241806 . Folkestone 24 Junior Ranger Events + 1 Caring for the countryside event = Bush Cricket (25 events) 28 Junior Ranger Events + 2 Caring for the countryside events = Badger (30 events) 32 Junior Ranger Events + 3 Caring for the countryside events = Orchid (35 events) 36 Junior Ranger Events + 4 Caring for the countryside events = Peregrine (40 events)