Wild Connections Update- End of 2016 Here’s what’s been going on:- We have held three craft shop engagement events at Lower Moor Farm with the Alzheimer’s Support Group; 5th of December - There was a nature walk and the group made insect boxes, the 6 attendees were led by Gina. 19th of December -Tamsin led a group of 12 where they created wire sculptures and made lip balm. 16th of January – Another 15 participants were led by Bill and a slightly broken Amy, self-proclaimed “Gump Boot” included! They had a fun packed day making bows and arrows and woolly letters. Community Payback have been out twice at Blackmoor Copse working on site infrastructure; 11th of December – A party of 8 went out laying boardwalk for 4 ½ hours. 08th of January – We had a gang of 9 installing way makers and adjusting interpretation boards for 3 hours, both days were led by Bill. In total there has been 4 public events since the last update; 03rd December – Gina has been busy and has led two engagement craft workshop events. On the first the group made Christmas crafts at Langford Lakes. It was attended by 5 adults and 2 children. 06th December – Next up at Lower Moor Farm was needle felting, there was a great turn out and 15 participants attended on the day. 13th December – In the run up to Christmas we held a carol service family event at St Julian’s where a whopping 216 people turned up, 89 adults and 127 children. Bill led the event which was a great service where everybody got involved. 08th January - Tamsin was leader for the day, with a little help from Nick Self who guided a party of 12 around Morgan’s Hill on a 2 hour walk. The volunteers also did some scrub clearance, they were at the reserve for a total of 4 hours. The Regular Volunteer Groups have also been busy with 3 practical conservation tasks and some site infrastructure; 30th November – 5 volunteers attended at Green Lane Wood, scything for 5 ½ hours with Barbara Stiddard. 11th December – Tamsin went ash sapling pulling with a further 5 volunteers at Morgan’s Hill for 4 hours. 13th December – On this day Bill was at Vincent’s Wood to install a board and a kissing gate, there were 2 attendees at the reserve for 2 hours of grafting. 14th December - At Green Lane wood Barbara Stiddard led the volunteers for 5 ½ hours with the task of scything poplar shade, there were 4 participants on this occasion. 26th November - Wilts CIL Group participated in a Christmas crafts engagement event at Langford Lakes. There were 23 people in attendance, 20 Adults and 3 children and the group was led by Tamsin. That’s all for now. Keep well and keep it WILD!!! Rich.