Summer fun on the Downs
A series of fun events for children and families are being offered by the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project this summer.
The four events, called ‘Summer fun in the meadows’, ‘Let’s go fly a kite’, ‘Treasure troves and felt flowers’ and ‘Ladybird spotters’, aim to get youngsters out and about, and offer the opportunity to discover the wildlife of the Downs through fun games and craft activities.
Mandy Leivers, Education Officer for the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project, explains: “The first event, a family walk called Summer fun in the meadows, takes place 2-4pm on Sunday 18thJuly . Local wildlife author Geraldine Taylor and I will be leading families on this walk to spot the signs of summer and discover the wildflowers and minibeasts that inhabit grassy places. We’ll use our senses to explore the Downs in all their summer glory.”
The three other activities are children’s summer holiday events for eight to 12 year olds. 
The first, called Lets go fly a kite takes place 10am – 3.30pm on Thursday 29thJuly. We’ll meet up at Bristol Zoo in the morning and then head up to the Downs for a minibeast safari and to play meadow games. In the afternoon, each child will craft their own meadow-themed kite to fly in our mini kite festival on the Downs.”
On the 5thAugust, children will be challenged to discover the whereabouts of the long-lost Bristol onion in our Treasure troves and felt flowers event. They’ll follow clues on the wildflower trail discovering fascinating facts about flowers along the way. Our goal? To find a treasure chest containing a map that will guide us to the location of the Bristol onion (which grows in the Avon Gorge and nowhere else in the UK!). In the afternoon we’ll be getting very messy making fantastic felt flower pictures.
On the 19thAugust, we’re joining forces with staff from Bristol City Museum as we become Ladybird spotters. The children will spend a morning searching for these adorable little insects and playing fun games to discover how they live. In the afternoon we’ll be making ladybird homes to help them survive the winter
All three summer holiday events are for children aged 8 – 12 years old and run from 10am – 3.30pm. The cost is £8.50 per child (they will need to bring a packed lunch with them). We meet at Bristol Zoo Gardens, booking is essential as places are limited.
To book a place on any of these events or for a copy of the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events programme call Mandy Leivers or Ben Garrod on 0117 9030609. Alternatively visit the events page of the website www.avongorge.org.uk
ENDS.
For further information please contact the Bristol Zoo Gardens Press Office
Lucy Parkinson – 0117 974 7309
or Mandy Leivers on 0117 9030609
Notes to the Editor:
- The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is a partnership of Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol City Council, the Downs Committee, Natural England, the Society of Merchant Venturers, the University of Bristol and the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation. We are also working with the National Trust who manage part of Leigh Woods on the North Somerset side of the Gorge.
- The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is working to secure the outstanding wildlife interest of the Bristol side of the Avon Gorge and Clifton and Durdham Downs and to raise awareness and understanding of this unique location and its importance for people and wildlife.
- Images attached – Child with butterfly, Kite kids, Treasure troves, Ladybird spotters, Ladybird spotters 2
The events are:
Booking is essential for all events. Meeting points and course details are sent when participants book a place.
Children’s events
Sunday 18th July
Summer fun in the meadows
Use all your senses as we explore the meadows on the Downs in all their summer glory. Find out about the wildflowers and minibeasts that inhabit grassy places as Geraldine Taylor and Mandy Leivers take you on an urban safari.
2.00pm- 4.00pm £3.00
(No charge for under 5s).
Booking essential, call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk
Thursday 29th July
Let’s go fly a kite!
Join us on a minibeast safari spotting the little creatures living on the Downs, and playing meadow games. In the afternoon build a kite and fly it in our mini kite festival.
For children aged 8 - 12 years.
Booking essential, call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk
Thursday 5th August
Treasure troves and felt flowers
Follow the clues on our wildflower trail to find a treasure chest. Inside, a map will guide us to the long-lost Bristol onion. In the afternoon create a fantastic felt flower picture - it’s lots of fun and very messy!
For children aged 8 - 12 years.
Booking essential, call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk
Thursday 19th August
Ladybird spotters
Spend a morning on the Downs searching for ladybirds and playing fun games to find out all about them. In the afternoon make a ladybird badge and a house to help them survive the winter.
For children aged 8 - 12 years.
Booking essential, call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk
