Flooding updates
Here is the latest from our Countryside service team after assessing the situation at Dinton Pastures Country Park earlier today:
- Play area: is currently closed, but the team will assess again tomorrow
- Bird hides: the two bird hides by Lavells Lake are inaccessible, but the one by Sandford Lake is open
- Footpaths: Nearly all footpaths are open for use, although some on Mortimers Meadow and around Sandford Lake are still flooded. Please be careful when you do go out.
Further updates will be posted on the Dinton Pastures Country Park Facebook page when available.
 New activities at Dinton Pastures
As the new year begins, our Dinton Activity Centre team is excited to welcome you back to our flagship country park with two brand new activities.
SEN and autism friendly indoor climbing
Two indoor climbing sessions tailor-made for individuals with additional needs will be available at Dinton Activity Centre on 1 and 29 February, from 2pm to 5pm.
The sessions will be conducted in a small group of five participants only, and there will be no background music during the sessions.
The minimum age for the activity is four, and some level of mobility is needed to participate. Also, parents or carers have to be present during the sessions.
Booking is now available online.
Wild Weekends
From February, we will be offering Wild Weekend sessions every Saturday and Sunday, from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, for ages eight to 13.
Participants will have a chance to take part in two different activities in each session. Here are what's on offer in February and March:
- First weekend of the month
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Archery and the leap of faith
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- Second weekend of the month
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Outdoor climbing and fire lighting
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- Third weekend of the month
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Crate stack and team challenges
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- Fourth weekend of the month
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Jacob's Ladder and water balloon drop
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To find out more about these activities, visit the Dinton Activity Centre website. Booking is now open online.
 New 'Greenspace on your doorstep' guide
The 2023 edition of 'Greenspace on your doorstep' guide is now available for download.
Produced by our partners at Thames Basin Heaths Partnership, the new e-directory features 81 entries in Thames Basin Heaths area of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, 20 more than the 2019 edition. Quite a number of nature parks and meadows managed by our Countryside service team are also on the list.
All the greenspaces listed provide dog-friendly, safe and sociable circular walks. They are set aside by local councils, including us, for fresh air and exercise, and as places where dogs can roam off-lead without disturbing wildlife. Nearly all have poo bins and many have surfaced paths.
You can also search for a greenspace near you on the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership website. It gives a lot of practical information like facilities available and suggested route to help you plan a day out.
 Free bike checks at Woodford Park
Get a free check by Dr Bike, so you are always ready to cycle around the borough.
Dr Bike Surgery, organised by our My Journey team, will be held outside Woodford Park Leisure Centre in Woodley on most Thursdays, between 2.30pm and 3.30pm, from now to end March.
If there are any parts needed, or it is beyond the scope of the session, Dr Bike will let you know and give you some advice and options to get your bike ready to ride.
Slots are booking up fast, so book online soon if you are interested.
 Big Garden Birdwatch is back
Join hundreds of thousands of nature lovers across the country to build a picture of how garden birds are faring.
Led by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. This year, the event will fall on 26 to 28 January.
It's easy to take part. First sign up on the RSPB website, then spend an hour between 26 and 28 January watching the birds in your garden, from your balcony or in your local park. Lastly, submit what you've seen to RSPB online or by post.
Don't know how to count the birds? You can download a guide online, which will help you identify and record the birds.
Last year, over half a million people took part and counted 9.1 million birds! The top five most spotted birds were house sparrows, blue tits, starlings, woodpigeons and blackbirds, but sadly, some birds were also seeing a marked decline.
However, the results would help scientists and conservation groups like RSPB understand what's happening and find solutions to help the birds, so every count matters!
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