Updates from Bedford Borough
An insight into activities over the spring and into the summer across Bedford Borough.
Forest School Competition Winners: I am delighted that Camestone Lower in Kempston are the winners of our Forest School competition. They were able to show a number of different activities that the school has been involved with to help look after local wildlife in their school grounds and are keen to develop their nature- based learning. They involve the parents in their ambitions to be a nature friendly school. We look forward to working with them in the new term to deliver a 6 week Forest School program with them.
Exploring Wildlife at Felmersham Gravel Pits: Felmersham Gravel Pits continues to be a base from which cub groups enjoy a visit. Working with Wixams and Harrold Cub groups in recent months, we have explored the rich array of wildlife at Felmersham. I have been astounded by the richness of the aquatic life and flora that we have discovered.
Nature Journaling Event: Alongside the very talented Agnes from ‘We are Stardust’, we had our first nature journaling event in Bedfordshire, at Felmersham Gravel Pits. I was surprised at the popularity of this event on this Tuesday morning. As well as nature journaling, we delved into wild flower meadow management and what actions people can take. After the activity and trying some grounding techniques that are often used to improve mental health, we found ourselves all very relaxed and not wanting to leave!
Offering Taster Sessions to Bedford Borough Schools: I am continuing to offer one free taster session to every Bedford Borough school as part of our service development. It has been good fun to work with Springfield Primary in Kempston, getting their reception group out and exploring their school grounds and signing them up to our ’30 Days Wild’ campaign.
Teacher Training and Service Development: As part of our service development, I am now able to offer 2 hour Forest School and teaching the curriculum through nature, teacher training workshops. These can be taught in school or at Felmersham Gravel Pits. Please get in contact for more information.
Engagement with Head Teachers: Following 18 months doing a lot of networking and outreach with Bedford Borough Schools, I presented to the Head Teachers Forum, outlining what I have been up to and where we would like to go in Bedford Borough. I then opened up the opportunity for Head Teachers to give me their thoughts about what a service in Bedford Borough could look like. Overall, a really positive experience that again highlighted the desire from schools to work with us.
Representation at 'The Big Green Week': Four volunteers from Bedford Local Group attended ‘the Big Green Week’ for us in Bedford town. They had a stall and activities in the garden of the Panacea Museum. This builds upon work that I have been doing with Bedford Council’s Cultural Services.
Our next batch of family workshops with the Higgins is on Tuesday 1st August. Please book through their website.
Family Events (thehigginsbedford.org.uk)
Our next upcoming event is the Family Wildlife Morning at Felmersham Gravel Pits on Sunday . We will be delving into the local wildlife and taking the opportunity to try Hapazome (the Japanese art of flower printing). Booking is essential due to limited spaces please go to
Family Wildlife Day Felmersham Gravel Pits | Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs & Northants (wildlifebcn.org)
A special farewell to Sarah, who is embarking on a new adventure. We will miss her creativity and support dearly. Sarah has worked in our team for 7 years, based on the North Chilterns Chalk around the Dunstable and Totternhoe area. Sarah has undertaken many challenges and created many new and inspiring opportunities for local communities. Her passion and enthusiasm will continue to make a positive impact on the landscape and communities well into the future.
Forest School Competition Winners: I am delighted that Camestone Lower in Kempston are the winners of our Forest School competition. They were able to show a number of different activities that the school has been involved with to help look after local wildlife in their school grounds and are keen to develop their nature- based learning. They involve the parents in their ambitions to be a nature friendly school. We look forward to working with them in the new term to deliver a 6 week Forest School program with them.
Exploring Wildlife at Felmersham Gravel Pits: Felmersham Gravel Pits continues to be a base from which cub groups enjoy a visit. Working with Wixams and Harrold Cub groups in recent months, we have explored the rich array of wildlife at Felmersham. I have been astounded by the richness of the aquatic life and flora that we have discovered.
Nature Journaling Event: Alongside the very talented Agnes from ‘We are Stardust’, we had our first nature journaling event in Bedfordshire, at Felmersham Gravel Pits. I was surprised at the popularity of this event on this Tuesday morning. As well as nature journaling, we delved into wild flower meadow management and what actions people can take. After the activity and trying some grounding techniques that are often used to improve mental health, we found ourselves all very relaxed and not wanting to leave!
Offering Taster Sessions to Bedford Borough Schools: I am continuing to offer one free taster session to every Bedford Borough school as part of our service development. It has been good fun to work with Springfield Primary in Kempston, getting their reception group out and exploring their school grounds and signing them up to our ’30 Days Wild’ campaign.
Teacher Training and Service Development: As part of our service development, I am now able to offer 2 hour Forest School and teaching the curriculum through nature, teacher training workshops. These can be taught in school or at Felmersham Gravel Pits. Please get in contact for more information.
Engagement with Head Teachers: Following 18 months doing a lot of networking and outreach with Bedford Borough Schools, I presented to the Head Teachers Forum, outlining what I have been up to and where we would like to go in Bedford Borough. I then opened up the opportunity for Head Teachers to give me their thoughts about what a service in Bedford Borough could look like. Overall, a really positive experience that again highlighted the desire from schools to work with us.
Representation at 'The Big Green Week': Four volunteers from Bedford Local Group attended ‘the Big Green Week’ for us in Bedford town. They had a stall and activities in the garden of the Panacea Museum. This builds upon work that I have been doing with Bedford Council’s Cultural Services.
Our next batch of family workshops with the Higgins is on Tuesday 1st August. Please book through their website.
Family Events (thehigginsbedford.org.uk)
Our next upcoming event is the Family Wildlife Morning at Felmersham Gravel Pits on Sunday . We will be delving into the local wildlife and taking the opportunity to try Hapazome (the Japanese art of flower printing). Booking is essential due to limited spaces please go to
Family Wildlife Day Felmersham Gravel Pits | Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs & Northants (wildlifebcn.org)
A special farewell to Sarah, who is embarking on a new adventure. We will miss her creativity and support dearly. Sarah has worked in our team for 7 years, based on the North Chilterns Chalk around the Dunstable and Totternhoe area. Sarah has undertaken many challenges and created many new and inspiring opportunities for local communities. Her passion and enthusiasm will continue to make a positive impact on the landscape and communities well into the future.