Events diary

Events are organised throughout the year, by Huntingdonshire District Council and The Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. All events are held in or start from the Visitors' Centre unless otherwise stated.

From October to March, the Friends and the RSPB organise conservation working parties to further improve the Pits for wildlife.


Wednesday 4th August 2010, 10.00am – 11.45am
Be Crafty Session for Families: Corn Dollies and Art Straws. Use wheat and barley from the reserve (if harvest is good) to make corn dollies. Tried it before? Learn a new technique. Have fun with art straws too! Suitable for adults and children. £5.00 per participant or £15 for all 4 sessions (11th, 18th and 25th August). Please book in advance. 01480 451568.

Wednesday 11th August 2010, 10.00am – 11.45am
Be Crafty Session for Families: Mini Mosaics. Using clay and stamps create your own decorative mosaic tile with a wildlife theme. Suitable for adults and children. £5.00 per participant or £15 for all 4 sessions (see 4th
August for dates). Please book in advance. 01480 451568.

Wednesday 18th August 2010, 10.00am – 11.45am
Be Crafty Session for Families: Natural Weaving. Collect natural objects from the reserve and weave them with wool and beads into a colourful hanging or pot. Suitable for adults and children. £5.00 per participant or
£15 for all 4 sessions (see 4th August for dates). Please book in advance. 01480 451568.

Wednesday 25th August 2010, 10.00am – 11.45am
Be Crafty Session for Families: Spinning and Dyeing. Bring a white T-shirt to decorate and tie dye with natural dyes then dye and spin fleece with a spindle. Suitable for adults and children. £5.00 per participant or £15.00 for all 4 sessions (see 4th August for dates). Please book in advance. 01480 451568.

Thursday 23rd September 2010, 7.30pm
FPPNR illustrated talk
- Fen Drayton Lakes - Past, Present and Future by Neil Renwick from the RSPB's Fenland Team. Neil will look at how the area has changed over the last four centuries, what the Society has done since acquiring the site in 2007, and how our neighbouring 'gravel pit' nature reserve is expected to develop. Members free. £2.00 for non-members. Everyone welcome. No need to book.

Sunday 17th October 2010, 2.00pm to 4.00pm
FPPNR Autumn Wildlife Walk. An 'Autumn Watch' walk led by local experts Jocelyn Gale and Trevor Gunton. Discover Paxton Pits' birds, berries, fungi and turning leaves at a very atmospheric time of year! Everyone welcome. No need to book. Donations invited.

Friday 12th November 2010, 7.30pm
FPPNR Illustrated talk at Little Paxton Village Hall - The Kingfisher by David Boag - a welcome return of a very popular speaker. David will present his new talk on our special 'logo bird' - definitely the Reserve's most sought after species. Not to be missed! Tickets in advance from the Visitors' Centre or from Trevor Gunton (15 St James Rd., Little Paxton, Cambs. PE19 6QW - SAE please). Cost £5 per person.

Sunday 12th December 2010, 2.00pm to 5.00pm
FPPNR Christmas Birds & Christmas Music. Join a short walk to see some of the Reserve's winter visitors, then enjoy seasonal refreshments and Christmas carols with live music back at the Visitors' Centre. Donation to cover costs. Everyone welcome.

Saturday 1st January 2011, 10am to sunset
FPPNR The Wonder of Winter Wildlife.
Join experts from the Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve for spectacular winter birds, guided walks (at 10.30 am and 2.00 pm), advice on feeding birds, and hot refreshments. Free. Everyone welcome. No need to book.