Summer is in full swing! In recent days we've had wild swings in weather conditions, from scorching hot days through to heavy rain storms, thunder and lightning.
If you take a walk in the countryside, at the moment, you've got a good chance of seeing fledgling birds, closely followed by parent birds, who are still feeding the birds out of the nest.
Local photographer, Alan Brown, took the above photo of a adult Stonechat, sat on gorse at Tegg's Nose Country Park recently. He also spotted at least one fledgling following the parent around amongst the heathland vegetation.
July's events are again a very varied mix of activities, from hands-on conservation tasks, art classes, wildlife & geology walks, kids holiday clubs, climbing, kayaking and paddle boarding and even a chance to make jam from bilberries you've picked!
We hope to see at some of our events this July.
Scroll right to the bottom of the email to see all of this month's events and get your tickets booked ASAP so you don't miss out!
Tuesday, 4 July - Outdoor Fitness Class at Astbury Mere Country Park
Are looking for a fitness class during the week that’s outside and you can bring your child?
Open to everyone even if you are wanting to add extra training to your week or wanting to get fit after having a child in a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. No matter what fitness level you are the class can be tailored to suit all abilities.
The sessions vary each week depending on numbers and the weather. They can include full body toning, cardio sessions, core work and flexibility.
Suitable for anyone over the age of 18. No booking necessary, just turn up and pay as you go £6 per person.
This event repeats every Tuesday morning of the month.
Time: 10.00am to 11.00am Meeting point: Astbury Mere Country Park, Sandy Lane, Congleton, CW12 4FR (SJ846627) Leader: Personal Trainer Kelly Morley Information: 07803 245590 or email Kelly Morley (Car parking charge / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Healthy walk - Event / Partnership event / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)
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Tuesday, 4 July - Wildflowers & butterflies of Jacksons’ Brickworks Local Nature Reserve
A leisurely morning walk enjoying the wildflowers and butterflies of the reserve. The wildflower meadows look superb at this time of year and include several different species of orchid. A slow-paced walk of around 1.6km (1 mile).
Booking and payment in advance essential. Adults £5, children 16 or under go free.
Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm Meeting point: Jacksons’ Brickworks Car Park, Pool House Road, Higher Poynton, SK12 1TY (SJ945844) Leaders: Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Pete Dowse Information: 01625 383700 (Bring binoculars if you have them / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Easy walking grade / Healthy walk - Event / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Partial accessibility - level or ramped access / Places limited - please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event / Wildlife walk - Event)
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Tuesday, 4 July - Balsam Bash Three
The third in a series of annual Balsam bashing events. Help us to manage the threat of this invasive plant in the Bollin valley and get the ‘bashing bug’! This one is in the Bowdon area with help from Friends of Bowdon Bollin.
Please bring thick gardening gloves along and we recommend you wearing long sleeves and trousers. Suitable for anyone over the age of 8.
Time: 10.30am to 12.30pm Meeting point: Bow Green Farm, Bow Lane, Bowdon, WA14 3BY Leaders: Bollin Valley Partnership Ranger Emma Houghton and Friends of Bowdon Bollin Information: 01625 374790 (Children must be accompanied by an adult / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Partnership event / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Strenuous walking grade / Wildlife walk - Event)
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Wednesday, 5 July - Fancy a Paddle - Two
A chance to learn a little bit about canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding on the beautiful Rudyard Lake. The event is delivered by Moorland Adventure. Full instruction equipment and buoyancy aids will be provided.
Booking and payment in advance is essential. All participants must be older than 8 years old and be "water confident".
Cost £18 per person.
Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm Meeting point: Rudyard Lake, Rudyard, ST13 8RN (SJ950580) Leaders: Moorland Adventure Information: 01625 573615 (Car parking charge / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event)
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Thursday, 6 July - Plein Air Painting Workshop: Features of the Landscape
If you want to get out of the studio and paint outdoors this series of workshops with Christopher Clements and Kieran Ingram will guide you through some of the key things you need to know. Each workshop focuses on a different fundamental of painting the landscape.
In July's workshop we’ll be looking at what’s going on in the middle distance. The middle distance is often where the the story of a painting lies and is where the features of the landscape are seen most clearly. Getting the character and relationships of these features right is important, characters and relationships create stories.
Booking and payment in advance essential. Cost £80.
Time: 10.00am to 3.30pm Meeting point: Tegg's Nose Country Park, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP Leaders: Artists Chris Clements and Kieran Ingram Information: Email Northern Realist or visit the Northern Realist website (Bring a packed lunch / Car parking charge / Easy walking grade / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)
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Monday, 10 July - Meditate with Nature - Bollington - July
Experience the benefits of meditating with nature to support your mental and physical health, guided by Amanda, from Let's Step In.
A 30-minute guided meditation in nature around Bollington.
There's no better way to start the day than with Mother Nature herself. You'll leave connected, energised and empowered for the week ahead. It's worth getting out of bed for!
Booking and payment in advance is essential. Cost £7 (join 6 sessions and get the 7th free).
Time: 7.00am to 7.30am Meeting point: Bollington Labyrinth, Middlewood Way, Off Grimshaw Lane, Bollington, SK10 5NY (SJ929774) Leader: Amanda from Let’s Step In Information: Email Amanda from Let's Step In (Easy walking grade / Healthy walk / Event / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event)
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Tuesday, 11 July - Flowers in the Grass
Come along for a morning stroll around the wildflower pastures and meadows of Dane-in-Shaw Pasture Site of Special Scientific Interest and also through the woodlands of the Biddulph Valley Way, enjoying the summer wildflowers and chatting about some of their uses and folklore.
Booking in advance essential.
Time: 10.00am to 1.00pm Meeting point: Henshall Hall Drive (park on road just before canal), Congleton, CW12 3TA (SJ876622) Leaders: Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Carolyn Sherratt Information: 01477 534115 (Children must be accompanied by an adult / Moderate walking grade / Places limited - please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Wildlife walk - Event)
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Tuesday, 11 July - Rossmill Himalayan Balsam Bash
Himalayan balsam is an invasive, non-native plant that flourishes in our climate to the point of excluding our native plants.
Thankfully it is easy to hand pull but unfortunately there is lots of it, definitely a case of many hands making light work, so please join the Bollin Valley Rangers and BEACON volunteers in confronting this invasive plant.
Booking in advance is essential. Please bring gardening gloves and a packed lunch. Suitable for anyone over the age of 10.
Time: 10.00am to 3.00pm Meeting point: Meet at the site entrance on Rossmill Lane, Hale Barns, WA15 0EU (SJ787849) Leaders: Bollin Valley Partnership Ranger Roger Brereton Information: 01625 374790 (Bring a packed lunch / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Strenuous walking grade)
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Tuesday, 18 July - Introduction to Climbing at The Roaches
Another chance to experience the thrills of climbing in this introductory climbing session, with Moorland Adventure.
Suitable for anyone over the age of 9. Booking and payment in advance is essential. Cost £18.
Time: 7.00pm to 9.00pm Meeting point:The Roaches, Roach Road, Nr Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8UB (SK00416212) Leaders: Moorland Adventure Information: 01625 573615 (Children must be accompanied by an adult / Healthy walk - Event / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event)
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Saturday, 22 July - Tegg's Nose Butterfly Walk
Family wildlife walk around the top of Tegg's Nose Country Park to look for and learn more about some of the park's resident butterfly species and, if we are lucky, seeing the scarce local speciality, namely, the Wall butterfly.
Booking and payment in advance essential. Adults £5, children 16 or under go free.
Time: 11.00am to 1.00pm Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733) Leaders: Tim Ward from Butterfly Conservation and Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Martin James Information: 01625 374833 (Bring binoculars if you have them / Car parking charge / Easy walking grade Healthy walk - Event / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Places limited - please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / Wildlife walk - Event)
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Saturday, 22 July - Bats at Tegg’s Nose
Bats are one of the UK's most misunderstood animals. Come and dispel a few myths and find out more about these fascinating creatures as we take a short stroll in Teggsnose Wood and alongside Teggsnose Reservoir.
Bring a torch. Booking and payment in advance essential. Adults £5, children 16 or under go free.
Time: 9.00pm to 10.30pm Meeting point: Teggsnose Reservoir car park, Holehouse Lane, Langley, SK11 0NB (SJ945718) Leaders: Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Martin James Information: 01625 374833 (Children must be accompanied by an adult / Easy walking grade / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Places limited - please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event / Wildlife walk - Event)
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Sunday, 23 July - Tegg’s Nose Rocks! – Geology Walk
Join Geologist Kate Riddington and Tegg’s Nose Country Park Ranger Martin James to explore the geological history of the park and wider Cheshire Plain.
We will walk the ‘Tegg’s Nose Rocks!’ trail and help you to spot evidence of recent Ice Ages or ripples from a river flowing some 325 million years ago! It's easy walking, with lots of interesting geology to explore.
Suitable for accompanied children over the age of 7. Booking and payment in advance is essential. Adults £5, children 16 or under go free.
Time: 10.00am to 12.30pm Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733) Leaders: Geologist Kate Riddington and Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Martin James Information: 01625 374833 (Car parking charge / Easy walking grade / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)
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Sunday, 23 July - Tegg’s Nose Bilberry Pick
Healthy, organic, tasty and free. Bilberry, blueberry, blaeberry, whin; whatever you want to call them they grow wild all over Tegg’s Nose Country Park and all you have to do is bring a container and get picking.
Totally Wild UK, will be on hand to explain the best places to look and will provide more information about where to source great local food. They’ll also be showing you how to make your own bilberry jam!
There is no charge to join us to pick bilberries during the event but if you would like to participate in the jam making, please book a place for the event so we can ensure we have enough jam pans, jars and sugar.
Cost for jam making £1.00 per person. Suitable for anyone over the age of 5.
Time: 1.00pm to 4.00pm Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733) Leaders: Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Martin James and Totally Wild UK Information: 01625 374833 (Car parking charge / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Moderate walking grade / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)
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Monday, 24 July to Friday, 28 July - Moorland Adventure Summer Kids Activity Club – Week One
A great way to experience some varied exciting activities in the countryside with local experts Moorland Adventure! Each day focuses on different activities and will give you a taste of adventure! Suitable for anyone between the ages of 8 and 16. Booking and payment in advance is essential. All day 2 and 4 participants must be "Water confident".
Day 1 – Monday 24th July – Archery, Problem Solving and Orienteering at Tegg’s Nose Day 2 – Tuesday 25th July – Canoeing, Kayaking and Paddleboarding at Rudyard Lake Day 3 – Wednesday 26th July – Climbing and Scrambling at The Roaches Day 4 – Thursday 27th July – Canoeing, Kayaking and Paddleboarding at Rudyard Lake Day 5 – Friday 28th July – Tree Climbing and Bushcraft at Tegg’s Nose
Cost £38.50 per day or sign up for all 5 days for a reduced price of £165.
Activities run from 9.00am to 4.00pm but to allow for maximum flexibility, you can drop off your child from 8.30am and collect at any time between 4.00pm and 5.00pm.
Please bring a packed lunch and drinks with you each day or you can purchase a packed lunch option (including sandwich, drink and snack) from Tegg’s Nose Tea Room on days 1 and 5. Breakfast and afternoon snacks are also available to purchase from the Tea Room before and after the activity club sessions on days 1 and 5.
Days 1 and 5 Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733) Days 2 and 4 Meeting point: Rudyard Lake, Rudyard, ST13 8RN (SJ950580) Day 3 Meeting point: The Roaches, Roach Road, Near Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8UB (SK00416212)
Time: 8:30am to 5:00pm Leaders: Moorland Adventure Information: 01625 573615 (Bring a packed lunch / Car parking charge / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)
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Monday, 31 July to Friday, 4 August - Moorland Adventure Summer Kids Activity Club – Week Two
A great way to experience some varied exciting activities in the countryside with local experts Moorland Adventure! Each day focuses on different activities and will give you a taste of adventure! Suitable for anyone between the ages of 8 and 16. Booking and payment in advance is essential. All day 2 and 4 participants must be "Water confident".
Day 1 – Monday 31st July – Archery, Problem Solving and Orienteering at Tegg’s Nose Day 2 – Tuesday 1st August – Canoeing, Kayaking and Paddleboarding at Rudyard Lake Day 3 – Wednesday 2nd August – Climbing and Scrambling at The Roaches Day 4 – Thursday 3rd August – Canoeing, Kayaking and Paddleboarding at Rudyard Lake Day 5 – Friday 4th August – Tree Climbing and Bushcraft at Tegg’s Nose
Cost £38.50 per day or sign up for all 5 days for a reduced price of £165.
Activities run from 9.00am to 4.00pm but to allow for maximum flexibility, you can drop off your child from 8.30am and collect at any time between 4.00pm and 5.00pm.
Please bring a packed lunch and drinks with you each day or you can purchase a packed lunch option (including sandwich, drink and snack) from Tegg’s Nose Tea Room on days 1 and 5. Breakfast and afternoon snacks are also available to purchase from the Tea Room before and after the activity club sessions on days 1 and 5.
Days 1 and 5 Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733) Days 2 and 4 Meeting point: Rudyard Lake, Rudyard, ST13 8RN (SJ950580) Day 3 Meeting point: The Roaches, Roach Road, Near Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8UB (SK00416212)
Time: 8:30am to 5:00pm Leaders: Moorland Adventure Information: 01625 573615 (Bring a packed lunch / Car parking charge / Partnership event / Places limited - please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)
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