Dog Walk
Rosliston Forestry Centre, part of The National Forest.
Every Tuesday morning
Enjoy walking with your dog, but don’t like walking alone? Come and join our friendly, trained walk leaders on a walk around Rosliston Forestry Centre. All well behaved owners and pets welcome!
For more information please contact the centre manager, Debbie Chesterman, on 01283 563483.
Rosliston Forestry Centre is signposted off the A444 at Church Gresley, west of Burton on Trent.
10am – meet outside the visitor centre foyer.
£1 per person (car park charges apply).
Healthy Hearts Walk
Thursday, 2nd March, 10:45am for an 11am start
Birches Valley Forest Centre
Join rangers on a gentle stroll from the Forest Centre at Birches Valley on Cannock Chase. This walk is part of the Forestry Commission’s Active Woods campaign encouraging people to use the forests as part of a healthy lifestyle. Regular gentle exercise can reduce your chances of heart disease, reduce blood pressure, tone muscles and help control your weight. Meet new friends; learn about the forest, seasons and wildlife.
Cost: Free.
Meet at Birches Valley Forest Centre, off Penkridge Bank Road, just outside Rugeley.
Forest Tots
Tuesday, 7th March, 10.30 am - 12 noon.
Birches Valley Forest Centre
Forest Tots is a monthly club at the Forestry Commission’s Birches Valley Forest Centre on Cannock Chase, just outside Rugeley, for pre-school aged children and their parents or carers. Each month there is a pushchair-friendly walk and a craft activity.
Cost: £2.50 per child.
Advanced booking essential on 01889 586593.
Forest Cots
Tuesday, 7th March 1 - 2:20pm.
Birches Valley Forest Centre.
Bring your baby and meet other Mums and Dads at the Forestry Commission’s Birches Valley Forest Centre on Cannock Chase, sign-posted off Penkridge Bank Road, just outside Rugeley, for a leisurely stroll around the forest, then enjoy refreshments back at the Forest Centre.
Cost £1.50
Mums on the Run
Fridays, 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th March.
Birches Valley Forest Centre.
New for 2006: guided runs for mums. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the forest on your doorstep in a relaxed, fun way whilst getting fit and making new friends.
Meet at Birches Valley Forest Centre, off Penkridge Bank Road, just outside Rugeley.
10am; £2.50 per person (includes a hot drink).
The Working Forest
Wednesday 8th March
Cannock Chase.
Learn about the working forest on Cannock Chase and seeing the work in action. From planting to felling, visit an active site with a forester and have all your questions answered.
Sturdy footwear, warm clothes and waterproofs are advised.
10am – 12:30pm or 1.30pm – 4pm
£5 per person; includes refreshments.
Booking essential: meeting times and places will given when booking.
Senior Cycle
Rosliston Forestry Centre, part of The National Forest.
Every Friday from 10th March
The first of a weekly cycling session for the over-50s. Suitable for beginners or people who haven’t been on a bike for years. Experienced leaders will lead each session on safe cycle trails around Rosliston Forestry Centre.
For more information please contact the centre manager, Debbie Chesterman, on 01283 563483.
Rosliston Forestry Centre is signposted off the A444 at Church Gresley, west of Burton on Trent.
10am - meet outside the visitor centre foyer.
£1.50 per person if you bring your own bike (car park charges apply).
£3.00 per person with bike hire from the centre.
4x4 In the Forest
Saturday 11th March
Birches Valley Forest Centre
Bring your family and your 4-wheel-drive vehicle and explore Cannock Chase Forest with Forestry Commission staff. This is an ideal opportunity for the less mobile to see the forest from a different perspective. Insurance for off-road driving is essential.
Cost: £25 per vehicle.
To book a place please ring 01889 586593.
Walk and Warm
Saturday 11th March
Rosliston Forestry Centre, part of The National Forest
Come and brave the chilly weather. Join us on a walk around Rosliston, stopping off at The Bull’s Head pub for a warming bowl of soup.
For more information please contact the centre manager, Debbie Chesterman, on 01283 563483.
Rosliston Forestry Centre is signposted off the A444 at Church Gresley, west of Burton on Trent.
2pm - meet at Rosliston Forestry Centre, Visitor Centre Foyer.
£3 per person (car park charges apply).
Science Week Event
Sat 11th and Sun 12th March
Rosliston Forestry Centre, part of The National Forest
How do radios work? How can we talk to someone in a different town or country? How do we see the stars? Come and find out what makes things tick…with the South Derbyshire & Ashby Woulds Amateur Radio Group and our own Astronomy Group providing displays, information and expertise.
For more information contact Environmental Education on 01283 535039.
Rosliston Forestry Centre is signposted off the A444 at Church Gresley, west of Burton on Trent.
10 – 4pm
Admission free (car park charges apply).
Spring Walks
Saturdays 25th March, 22nd April, 27th May.
Birches Valley Forest Centre.
Come and learn about the emerging wildlife in the forest on Cannock Chase during a morning stroll with a wildlife ranger.
Waterproofs and sturdy footwear are advised.
8am
£4.50 per person, includes a bacon sandwich or a veggi alternative
Booking essential: meeting points given when booking.
Conservation Task Day: Willow Thinning
Sunday 19th March
Sence Valley Forest Park - part of The National Forest
Join Sence Valley Conservation Volunteers Trust on their monthly conservation day. This month the volunteers will be thinning some of the willow around the park’s centrepiece Horseshoe Lake to create some more views across the water.
Sence Valley Forest Park is signposted off the A447 north of Ibstock.
Meet at the main entrance car park at 9:30am.
For more information contact Susan Taylor on 01889 586593.
Coming up in the Easter Holidays …
The education team at Birches Valley Forest Centre, just outside Rugeley on Cannock Chase, are running a new and exciting programme for 7 –11-year-olds over six mornings in the Easter Holidays. This Wild Woodland Week will teach bush craft, shelter building, fire lighting, making tools and much more.
Running on the 11th, 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th, 20th April 10am – 12:30 pm
Cost £50 per child for all 6 mornings.
For more information or to book a place contact the Education team on 01889 586593
Notes to Editor:
“Active Woods” is a campaign by the Forestry Commission to encourage the public to use forests as part of a healthy lifestyle for exercise, relaxation and learning. The Forestry Commission’s landholdings in the West Midlands provide the perfect settings for people of all ages to exercise, unwind and have fun.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Georgina High or Susan Taylor on 01889 586593.