Family Christmas Tree Hunt and Festive Fire-side Feast!

Would you like to find your very own sustainable Christmas Tree this year and help with local heathland conservation at the same time?

Come and join our wardens and Young Conservationists group on Saturday 7 December at Upton Heath nature reserve and join our family Christmas Tree Hunt. Our volunteers will judge the best looking tree with a small prize! Our Young Conservationists will also bring some little games/activities to enjoy round the fire.

We will provide everything you need and give you some top tips for how to use the tools to clear the small pine, helping to keep the open heathland habitat healthy.

All that hunting will work up an appetite, so we will cook up a fire-side feast on the bonfire. Please bring something to share (keep food in packaging for allergy advice for other people) – stuff that’s easy to eat without too much cutlery works best, such as sausages, haloumi and marshmallows. We will provide some vegan options too. No alcohol.

Timings:

Meet at 10am and stay as long as you like. We will pack up by 3pm.

Meeting Point:

Please meet at gateway entrance to the Heath on Longmeadow Lane almost opposite the turning for woodpecker Drive.

What3Words Location: whites.lights.relay

Postcode: BH17 7BQ

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NmaaDDmoR9uLxQzcA

Parking:

If travelling by car, there is parking on the corner of Beechbank Avenue and Longmeadow Lane. There are three or four parking spaces in the actual car park but plenty of on street parking along both of these roads such as Grebe Close and Blackbird Close.

Please consider public transport and car-sharing to reduce parking congestion and environmental impact.

Cost:

Cash donation (suggested £3.50 per person) on the day is welcome but not expected.

Safety:

You’re welcome to take your tree home but please remember this is at your own risk. So remember to bring a carrier bag to place over the cut end to stop sap running in your car and any equipment needed to safely and legally transport it.

All staff are first aid trained and there will be a first aid kit on site. The activity is risk assessed and there is emergency action plan.

We will provide all necessary tools, eye protection and gardening gloves (though you’re welcome to use your own gloves if preferred). When using tools and in the vicinity of the bonfire, please follow the wardens safety briefing given at the start.

Only trained staff and volunteers to manage the cooking and fire. Please bring hand sanitiser to use before handling food.

What to Bring:

1. Outdoor clothes that you don’t mind getting snagged, dirty or wet
2. Christmas hat!
3. Suitable footwear – usually walking boots/sturdy trainers/wellies are best
4. Please bring some food to share on the bonfire – we will provide some options
5. A drinks bottle – with enough fluids to stay hydrated
6. Any medications you need including inhalers and EpiPens – if you have any medical concerns you want us to be aware of, please let us know.
7. Handgel/hand sanitiser as preferred

Dogs:

On a lead please.

Traffic light system in place for dogs, please see the Reserve Map on site. Please remove dog mess from the site. See above for more information about dogs on nature reserves.

Facilities:

This is an outdoor task so please come prepared. There will not be any toilets or washing facilities.

Accessibility:

There will be a short route to the activity site. The site is fairly level but we cannot guarantee easy wheelchair access. The ground may be uneven or slippery underfoot. Cutting small pines is a physical activity involving walking over rough terrain, bending, lifting, sawing and fine motor skills. Please contact us if you have any concerns so we can adapt content for your needs and capacity.

Booking:

Please sign up here – ensure you have left an email so that we can contact you in the event we have to cancel the event at short notice.

Bad Weather:

Bad Weather: Please check your emails the night before and first thing in the morning before setting off – we will email you if we have to cancel at short notice for any reason such as bad weather

See you there!

Image Credits: "European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)" by Smudge 9000 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Host or Publisher Dorset Wildlife Trust