A little known organisation exists all over the England called the Parish Paths Partnership or P3 for short. The county councils together with local parish councils endeavour to look after the footpath network in the parish area. They also work to resolve any issues that may arise from footpath changes along with other interested parties such as the Ramblers Association.
This organisation also runs various courses and activities that are open to the general public. All that needs to be done is contact the organisers and register interest before hand as places are sometimes limited. Then turn up on the day at the appointed time and place.
Activities range from dry stone wall construction, hedge laying, bird watching, mushroom identification and other country pursuits. These are mainly instructional or recreational courses and not footpath repair or construction activities unless stated as such.
NOTE: Due to the short notice of these events and the need to develop our walking programme well in advance these activities WILL NOT appear on our walks programme.
Unless otherwise indicated - Please book with Steve Halton, P3 officer, at County Hall on 01234 228426 or e-mail steve.halton@bedscc.gov.uk
Bedfordshire County Council, in partnership with the Forest of Marston Vale, the Greensand Trust, the Ivel and Ouse Countryside Project, the Bedfordshire Natural History Society and the Bedfordshire and Luton Geology Group.
Over a million visits are made to Beds County Council Countryside sites every year for walking, riding, cycling, picnics, craft events, keeping healthy and to unwind. We work in partnership with district and borough authorities, countryside management projects and over 100 community/friends groups to help people improve, enjoy and understand their countryside.
If you would like to know more or to get involved as a volunteer please contact us today on countrysidesites@bedscc.gov.uk.
2007 Programme
Awaiting summer programme from the P3 group.....watch this space.... or read the Beds County Council PPP web site here.
New PPP Events
Some new PPP events to be aware of:
Rogation Day on Sunday the 27th of April from 10am to 5pm at Chalgrave (nr Toddington). The one chance a year to walk the boundary of Chalgrave as granted by the charter of King Aethelstan in AD 926. Full details here (Acrobat format 760 Kb).
Heath & Reach
Saturday the 10th of May
Meet at 6 am at Stockgrove Park Visitor Centre
Steve Halton of Beds CC Countryside Access Team will teach us about bird song as we walk. About 2 to 2.5 hours. Download details here.
This walk is unsuitable for dogs. Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended.
Thursday teh 22nd of May
Meet at 7 pm at Potsgrove Church for a walk of about 3miles around Potsgrove and Battlesden. Dick Denton will tell us about Battlesden’s fascinating history as we walk. Download details here.
This walk is unsuitable for dogs. Stout footwear and waterproofs recommended.
Wadelows Nature Reserve nr Luton in south Bedfordshire are looking for volunteers to assist in the care and running of the nature reserve. Details of the reserve in the form of a newsletter is here (2.5 Mbytes) and the membership application form is here (116 Kb) both in Acrobat format. Their next event is an open evening on Wednesday the 23rd of April.
1st Sunday of each month, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Gentle Sunday walks at the Forest Centre, Marston Vale. Hear how the Park was set up and a little about the surrounding area. Walks keep to hard surfaced tracks in the Park which are mostly level. For more information call 01234 762608 or email: guy.lambourne@marstonvale.org Cost £1 payable on day – no need to book. Meet at reception.
If you enjoy walking, we need you!
The 40 mile / 64km Greensand Ridge Walk is one of Bedfordshire’s cross-county walks that follows the greensand ridge from Leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay. The Ridge rises from the shallow river valleys and provides an ideal introduction to the history, landscape and wildlife of the county. Bluebells, green woodpeckers and muntjac deer are often seen along the route.
The walk has been re-developed and we are looking for help to maintain the walk for everyone to enjoy. We need volunteer wardens to look after sections of the walk, undertaking small tasks such as replacing waymarker discs and cutting back overhanging vegetation, three to four times a year. The section of walk that you could help with could be a couple of miles or several miles or even part of the route you walk with the dog. We would be grateful of any help that you could give. We will provide equipment such as secateurs and gloves.
If you would like further information about the walk or would like to download the leaflets visit www.greensandridgewalk.co.uk. If you enjoy walking and would like to help then please call Nicky Saunders at the Greensand Trust on 01234 743666 or Carrie-Anne Rowley (carrie-anner@bedsrcc.org.uk) at the Ivel & Ouse Countryside Project on 01767 626454.
The events are available to everyone to enjoy and learn about the Country Park and the surrounding countryside. Come and join our group of volunteers and help with practical work such as habitat management, tree planting and hedge work; assist with events and guided walks; record wildlife; or become a voluntary warden
Places are limited, so booking is required. Please ring or email the contacts below to secure your place. We provide, Tools, Hot drinks and biscuits, Insurance and a good time!! There is no charge. Please wear old warm outdoor clothes, sturdy footwear and bring a packed lunch.
Carlton Road, Harrold, Bedford MK43 7DS
Tel: 01234 720016 Email: hocp@bedscc.gov.uk Website:www.hocp.net
Freinds of Wadelows Nature Reserve nr Luton in south Bedfordshire are looking for volunteers to assist in the care and running of the nature reserve. Details of the reserve in the form of a newsletter is here (2.5 Mbytes) and the membership application form is here (116 Kb) both in Acrobat format.
2008 Programme
All the events are free but donations are welcome. Please contact us for further details.
April (throughout the school holidays)
Easter Colouring Competition.
Colour in a butterfly or a fish. Prizes for the best ones at the end of the holiday.
Monday 12th May 10am – 12pm
Digital Photography
Don’t know one end of the camera from the other? Come along to this beginner’s session. Learn how to operate your own camera and take some photographs in the Park.
Saturday 28th June 10am – 12pm
Wild Flower id.
Investigate and identify the flowers in the Park as you walk along.
Sunday 20th July 12 – 3pm
Walking Sticks.
Carve your own personalised walking stick from materials found in the Park. Make it just the right height and hand hold for yourself. All materials provided.
Sunday 28th September 12 – 3pm
Spoons and spatulas.
Learn some of the tricks of the trade to make your own kitchen spatulas and spoons. Find out which wood is the best for this and have a go at some of the tools including a shave horse, pole lathe, spoon gouge and curved knife!
Sunday 12th October 1 – 4pm
The Big Draw.
You can do it! Make your own charcoal and draw your own design.
Sunday 30th November 1 – 4pm
Christmas Decorations
Wreaths, angels, etc all made with materials from the Park.
December (throughout the school holidays)
Christmas Quiz.
