Events
We now have a huge and exciting list of FREE events planned for 2009. There are more to follow soon too. Please see the details of the specific event for any special booking requirements.
☏ Booking essential ★Night Time Event Please Bring a Torch ☺Family Friendly Event
APRIL
Saturday 25th Spring Bird Walk ☺☏
A chance to look and listen for spring birds and other wildlife within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) MEET: Wouldham Church TIME:10-13:00 phone 01622 683695 to book
Sunday 26th Spring Bird Walk.☺☏
MEET: Plaxtol, TIME: 10-13:00 phone 01622 683695 to book
MAY
Sunday 10th River Bird Walk. ☺☏MEET:3 Lock Cottages, TIME: 10-13:00 phone 01622 683695 to book
Thursday 14th Toddler walk ☺ ☏
Meet us for a toddle around Teston Country park looking for creatures and Plants MEET: main car park Teston Country Park TIME: 10.30-11.30 phone 08458 247 600 to book
Friday 22nd Bat Walk ☺☏★
A chance to come along and learn about our night time wildlife MEET: Main car park Teston Country Park TIME: 20:30 phone 08458 247 600 to book
Sunday 24th River Celebration Day ☺
Tonbridge Castle - Just turn up on the day
Tuesday 26th Family Wildlife Walk - horses and castles ☏☺
A walk from the country park to Thurnham Village
MEET: White horse Wood Detling Hill AONB TIME:10am Phone 01622 683695 to book
Friday 29th Bat Walk ☏★
MEET: Mote Park TIME: 20:30 Phone 01622 683695 to book
JULY
Friday 17th Bat Walk. ☺☏★
MEET: Teston Country Park TIME : 20:30 phone 08458 247 600 to book
Sunday 19th Hop, Jump and Skip along the River Medway.☺☏
A walk along a quiet stretch of the River Medway from East Peckham MEET: East Peckham village hall car park TIME: 14:00 DISTANCE:3 miles Phone 01622 683695 to book
AUGUST
Friday 7th and Saturday 8th Night Time Walk. ☺☏★
Discover what comes out at night on this stroll around Haysden Country Park MEET: Haysden wind surfers car park TIME:20:00 Phone 01622 683695 to book
Friday 14th Teapots and Apple pies.☺☏
An interesting walk starting from Yalding, past orchards, hop fields and through the countryside MEET: Yalding Tea Pot Museum TIME:13:00 DISTANCE: 6 MILES
Saturday 22nd Bat Walk ☺☏★
MEET: Leybourne lakes Country Park Main Car Park TIME: 19:30 phone 01634 243397 to book
Wednesday 5th August Haysden Wildlife Day ☺✈
This year with a biological recording theme but still with the old favorites like pond dipping and bug hunting. MEET: Haysden Country Park TIME: 11-15.00
SEPTEMBER
Thursday 17th Toddler Walk ☺☏
MEET: Teston Country ParkTIME:10.30-11.30 Phone 08458 247 600 to book
Saturday 19th Bat Walk ☺☏★
MEET: Mote Park TIME:18:30
OCTOBER
Sunday 18th Bird walk ☺☏
MEET: the tickled trout TIME: 10-13.00
Saturday 24th Bird Walk ☺☏
MEET: Haysden Country park TIME: 10-13.00
Saturday 31st Terrifying Teston Halloween Event ☺☏
Join us to make spooky spiders and ghoulish masks amongst other things MEET: Teston country park TIME:10-14.00 Cost £4 per participant to cover materials Phone 08458 247 600 to book
2008 River Medway Photo Competition Winners
2008 saw the second year of the River Medway Photographic Competition, run by MVCP in partnership with the Valley of Visions Scheme and the Medway Swale Estuary Partnership. As you can see from the prize winners below the standard of entry was exceptionally high. To see all the photographs entered please see www.flickr.com/your_river_2008/ and get snapping for the 2009 competition which will be launched later this year.
Tonbridge to Allington Allington Lock to M2 bridge; River Medway
Mrs Olive Medhurst - "River awakening" Michael Blake - "Bridges across the Medway"
Allington Lock to M2 bridge: Valley sides M2 bridge to the sea
Don Beevis - "Hint of autumn" Jackie Hagan - "Rochester Cathedral in a mist"
Under 18
Samuel Baylis - "Boats"
Ditton Quarry Local Nature Reserve
By working in partnership with Ditton Parish Council, local residents and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council a new local nature reserve has been declared by Natural England. This is exciting news as it is the first in the borough. Ditton Quarry is the site of a former Ragstone quarry which ceased operations in 1984. It now home to a diverse community of lime loving plants, good populations of butterflies, and also contains a regionally important geological site. The site has free public access, and is well worth a visit.
Biodiversity
Help us and the Kent & Medway Biological Records Centre record the special wildlife found in our area like this Painter's Mussel below.
MVCP aim to enhance and maintain the biodiversity of our area. This not only includes rarer species such as otters and barn owls, but also the whole supporting mesh of wildlife that goes to make up the richness and evenness of our ecosystems. Spiders, like the Wasp Spider (below), have a vital role to play in the health of important wildlife sites. We have a responsibility to maintain the full mosaic of life, to help protect both Kent's plants and animals, and those of the wider European region. We work in partnership with other organisations under the Kent Biodiversity Action Plan Partnership, to deliver concrete action on maintaining and enhancing biodiversity.
