Tuesday 23 March 2010

Peregrine season begins


The 10th year of the Plym Peregrine project began on Monday 22nd March. Every day until 24th July you can view the peregrines on the quarry face at Plymbridge Woods. Watch them fly above you at speeds up to 200 mph! its amazing to watch. We have telescopes set up all day and into the evening too. Our dedicated watchers will help you to see the birds and tell you all about them.

If you would like to volunteer to become a watcher go to plym-peregrines.co.uk for more info.

Spring has sprung for the Coast & Countryside team along the South Devon Coast

Blog from Richard Moore, National Trust Warden for South Devon Coast & Countryside
With what appears to be the worst of the frosty mornings over and colour creeping back into our hedgerows, I think it’s fairly safe to say spring has well and truly sprung. Along with this change in seasons, so too comes a change in our workload. Practical winter jobs such as tree felling and fencing have given way to others, most commonly the mammoth task of keeping grassy areas short and pleasant to visit, along our extensive lengths of public footpaths, bridal ways and the coast path.


Longer, warmer days also bring a change in our upcoming events. Those of you that made it to the Explore the Outdoors exhibition at Plymouth Pavilions on the 13th and 14th of March may well have paid our stand amongst others a visit. For the benefit of those unaware of the shows ambition, in brief, it is a collective group of bodies with similar interests, ideas and backgrounds who gather and unite to deliver the same message; enjoy our countryside. With the National Trusts own Unlocked event just around the corner on the 1st and 2nd of May we found the experience incredibly useful, not only in seeing the drive and passion people still have for the outdoors but also in inspiring us with creative ideas that should result in Unlocked being a lot of fun. Find us at the Piazza on Armada Way and discover more about cycling, surfing, rock pooling and how to build giant sand sculptures. There is plenty for the kids to do including making a seaweed press or a beautiful bug out of willow, building a woodland den or getting their face painted. Its all free too.


Although not relevant until later in the year the final point I would like to mention would be the new additions delivered to our workshop earlier in the month. After months of planning, speculating and welding we are now the proud owners of two rather large charcoal kilns. These have been sited and we will be doing some practice runs before our charcoal burning event in October. Having the kilns on site brings the reality of it one step closer. I’d urge those interested to check out the blog closer to the time as places will book up fast, apparently burgers taste better when cooked over your own coals.












Wednesday 17 March 2010

Bonus Time at Wembury Beach this weekend (20-21 March)


Bonus time is almost here...
We're offering a really exciting 'bonus' this spring:
Free entry and car parking to National Trust places on the weekend of 20 and 21 March 2010.


Visit us at Wembury and you'll save £4 (day rate for parking).
Why not take explore the fabulous rock pools, build a sandcastle or just take a stroll along a number of paths?
Discover this beautiful piece of coast only a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of city life. One of my favourite walks is to take the path up from the beach up to Wembury Point where there are fantastic views. Watch out for the beautiful Dartmoor ponies grazing along this stretch of coast. Let us know if you spot any of our rare cirl buntings along the way.

All the details of the weekend are on our website, and there's lots of information on how to make the most of the day on the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Friday 12 March 2010

Lydford Gorge opens for the season

Lydford Gorge opens this weekend from 10am. Be one of the first this year to walk through the gorge. Keep a look out for buzzards over head and grey wagtails down by the river. There is lots more to spot too! Tea-room and shop open.

Peregrine falcons in Plymouth

Would you like to see peregrine falcons on your doorsteep? - they are fantastic birds and you won't be disappointed. Well, visit Plym Bridge Woods in a week or two and you will be amazed. Our volunteers will show you the birds through telescopes from the Cann Quarry viaduct - it is a great day out and its free.

Visit our web site to get details of when is the best time to visit and where to go. Spring is nearly here so things will soon start happening!

Thursday 11 March 2010

Alice at Antony

Throughout 2010, the hidden gem of Antony House near Plymouth will be transformed by the National Trust into a fabulous, surreal setting. Renowned British film director, Tim Burton, shot part of Disney’s forthcoming movie, Alice in Wonderland, inside the eighteenth century house, and within the confines of its magical grounds in 2008.

Find out more about the movie here. Find out more about Alice at Antony here and more about Alice events at Antony here. Find out how to get to Antony here.

If you want to get involved at Antony with Alice read our poster

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Welcome to the new National Trust Plymouth blog


The idea of the blog is to inform the residents of Plymouth and surrounding areas what the National Trust is up to in and around Plymouth. This site will be your source of information on places to go, things to do, ways to get involved and a forum for you to comment on what we are up to.

Here is a guide to the places we look after around Plymouth - press the links to get further details.

Countryside
Plym Bridge
Wembury