The Friends of the Pang and Kennet Valley Countryside Project has been set up to represent all of the people who care about the countryside in the two valleys. The events below are co-ordinated by The Friends and give you the opportunity to come out on practical tasks, learn new skills, meet new people and, above all, enjoy yourself. The tasks usually begin around 10am and finish by 4pm but you are very welcome to come for as much time as you wish to give during these hours. Please wear suitable footwear and clothing, and bring a packed lunch if you are coming for the full day. Hot drinks are usually provided, as are the necessary tools.

For further information please contact the Project Office 0118 930 5336 or see the Website - www.pangandkennetvalleys.org.uk

*The Black Barn at Rushall Manor Farm is situated off Back Lane, between Stanford Dingley and Bradfield. Take the gravel track north off Back Lane to the west of Scratchface Lane. Grid ref: SU 583 723

Wednesday 23rd
Bucklebury Common
Nightjars and Glow-worms at dusk
8.30pm – 10:00pm
Join Tim Culley for a late evening walk on Bucklebury Common. Stout footwear is necessary. Meet at Angel’s Corner, by the Scout Hut.  Grid ref: SU 550 688.

Thursday 24th
Pangfield Farm, Stanford Dingley
Evening Wildflower Walk
6pm
Join the ‘Friends’ on a walk to see the wildflower meadows at Pangfield Farm in bloom.  Free admission, although donations of £2 per person (family discounts) are invited.  Grid ref:  SU 565 718

Tuesday 29th
Kings Copse, Bradfield
Glad Clearance
10:30am
Spend the day clearing invasive Himalayan Balsam at Kings Copse to help maintain the native woodland flora. Meet at Kings Copse House (Grid ref:  SU 579 707) which is accessed via Jennett’s Hill.

July

Sunday 4th
Hungerford
Above and below Hungerford
11am
Join Lesley Dunlop and Dick Greenaway to explore the geology, landscape and history of the countryside around Hungerford.  Meet at Hungerford Common car park (Grid ref: SU 342 683). Bring a packed lunch.  The route is 7 miles or 11 km of easy walking with only one short steep hill. Dogs will be on leads for much of the way.

Tuesday 6th
Leyfield Meadow
Meadow Management
10:00am
Come and help Dick Greenaway cut and clear the bracken invading this flower rich grassland.  Meet at The Cottage, Ashampstead Common.  Grid ref: SU 5768 7511.

Tuesday 6th
Bucklebury Common
Nightjars and Glow-worms at dusk
8.30pm – 10:00pm
Join Tim Culley for a late evening walk on Bucklebury Common. Stout footwear is necessary. Meet at Angel’s Corner, by the Scout Hut.  Grid ref: SU 550 688.

Wednesday 7th
Oak Room, Bucklebury Memorial Hall
PVCV AGM
7:30pm
Join the Pang Valley Conservation Volunteers for their AGM at the Oak Room in Bucklebury Memorial Hall.  All are welcome.

Tuesday 13th
Kings Copse
Glade Clearance
10:30am
Spend the day clearing invasive Himalayan Balsam at Kings Copse to help maintain the native woodland flora. Meet at Kings Copse House (Grid ref:  SU 579 707) which is accessed via Jennett’s Hill.

Tue 13th
Paices Wood
Moth and Bat Night
9.00 pm
Discover the night time creatures of Paices Wood. Meet at the gates to Young’s Industrial Estate promptly at 9pm. Please call to book a place.

Tue 20th
Bracken Bashing
Holt Lodge Farm
10:00am
Join us at this new site controlling the bracken on a wildflower meadow bank.  Meet at Holt Lodge Farm Farmhouse, near Kintbury.  Grid ref:  SU 387 648.

Tue 27th
Pangbourne
Meadow Management
10.00 am
We will be clearing ragwort from Sulham Meadows SSSI, so that this important site can be grazed. Meet at Home Farm, off Sulham Lane.  Grid ref: SU 643 758.

August

Tue 3rd
Paices Wood
Woodland Treasure Hunt
11.00 am - 1.00 pm
Explore Paices Wood while solving clues to find treasure. Meet in the car park of Paices Wood Country Parkland, through Young’s Industrial Estate off the A340 south of Aldermaston.

Tue 10th
Ashampstead Common
Glade Clearance
10am
Come and help Dick Greenaway maintain the glades and grassland in this beautiful woodland.  Meet at The Cottage, Ashampstead Common.  Grid ref:  SU 5768 7511

Tue 17th
Project Office, Englefield
Tools Maintenance & BBQ
10:00am
Join the regular volunteers for a morning maintaining the project’s tools and tool store.  Meet at the Old Estate Office, Englefield Road, Theale.  We will have a BBQ afterwards – please bring your own food.

Tue 24th
Hosehill Lake
Meadow Management
10:00am
Help to manage the meadow at Hosehill and encourage more wildflowers by raking grass cuttings ready for removal.

Sat 28th
Hosehill Lake
Bat and Moth evening
8:00pm
Discover what comes out at night at the Hosehill Reserve, with the help of moth traps and bat detectors. Meet at the main entrance to the reserve opposite the Fox and Hounds pub.

Tue 31st
Ashampstead Common
Wood Anemone Glade Maintenance
10am
Come and help Dick Greenaway maintain a Wood Anemone glade within Ashampstead Common.  Meet at the southern end of ‘Yattendon 5’ gravel track .  Grid ref:  SU 578 746.

September

Sat 11th
Paices Wood
Heritage Open Day Guided Walks
A day of guided walks around the Country Parkland as part of Heritage Open Day in Aldermaston, looking at historical features, management techniques and wildlife. Please contact the office for more details.

Sat 18th & Sun 19th
Newbury Showground
Royal County of Berkshire Show
9am – 6pm
We will be attending this year’s show displaying our work in the three counties, and as usual running our fun activities.  Why not come along and find us out.

Sat 25th
Hosehill Lake
Meet the ponies
11.00 am
A chance to meet the new Exmoor ponies and find out how they are helping to manage the meadow at Hosehill. Please call 01635 874381 to book a place (£1 each).

Sun 26th
Woolhampton
Pits and hills - RIGS Walk
10am
A 6 mile walk (with optional short cut) to look at the landscape and geology of the Kennet valley.  Bring a packed lunch.  Well behaved dogs welcome.  Meet at Woolhampton bridge car park. Grid ref:  SU 572 664