Three Quarries

You know one quarry – you might know two – but do you know all three? Explore the historic quarries on Brading Down, discover how and why they were made. Walk includes steep climbs and hazardous drops. Please follow walk leader’s instructions on the day. Walk route is weather dependent.

Date: 12/5/2016        Start Time: 14:00 PM           Start location: Brading Down car park, Bully’s Hill

Grid ref: 599 868           Bus:2,3, Yarbridge            Picture1Duration: 1.50 hours, 2.00 miles

Cost: £2 donation to Gift to Nature

Booking not essential – 01983 201565

Walk Leader: Matthew Chatfield

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Food & Farming

A ramble around Brighstone discussing how farming has shaped the landscape and how local businesses support local products. Optional lunch at the end of the walk (at own expense).

Date: 11/5/2016      Start Time: 10:30 AM            Start location: The Village Shop, Brighstone

Grid ref: 428 828        Bus:12, Three Bishops       Duration: 2.50 hours, 4.00 miles

Cost: Suggested donation of £2 to Gift to Nature

Walk Leader: Graham BissPicture1

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Cowes Quiz Walk and Treasure Hunt

This fantastic Cowes Quiz walk and Treasure Hunt, is a self-guided walk, celebrating Cowes’ natural and built heritage. Teams comprise of up to four people.

Date: 6/5/2016         Start Time: 18:30 PM            Start location: Moocow, 55 Cross Street, Cowes

Grid ref: 496 961        Bus:1, Cowes Carvel Lane          Duration: 2.00 hours, 3.00 miles

Cost: Suggested donation of £5 per team to Gift to Nature        Booking advised – 01983 201565

Walk Leader: Carol FluxPicture1

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The Island’s newest Country Park

Walk through the suburbs of Newport and then back through some rolling countryside to discover the Isle of Wight’s newest country park, see three hidden streams, a stump garden and gigantic eel.

Date: 5/5/2016      Start Time: 14:00 PM          Start location: Matalan car park

Grid ref: 502 887        Duration: 2.00 hours, 4.00 miles

Cost: £2 donation to Gift to Nature         Booking not essential – 01983 201565

Walk Leader: Matthew ChatfieldPicture1

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Changing Chines

Learn more about the continually changing Island Chines and hear something positive about coastal erosion for a change! The fantastic coastal views are thrown in free!

Date: 4/5/2016        Start Time: 14:00 PM     Start location: Brook Chine car park

Grid ref: 386 836       Bus:12, Brook Chine     Duration: 3.00 hours, 4.00 miles

Cost: Suggested donation of £2 to Gift to Nature      Booking not essential – 01983 201565

Walk Leader: Martin & Susan GibsonPicture1

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Pootle round Parkhurst Forest

A family friendly short walk in Parkhurst Forest including visit to the Gift to Nature Red Squirrel hide, to try and get a glimpse of the Island’s most iconic mammal.

Date: 2/5/2016       Start Time: 14:00 PM       Start location: Parkhurst Forest car park

Grid ref: 479 899   Bus:1,  Duration: 1.50 hours, 2.00 miles  Booking not essential – 01983 201565

Cost: Suggested donation of £2 to Gift to NaturePicture1

Walk Leader: Martin & Susan Gibson

 

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Eastern Yar and Pooh Stick Challenge

Walk along a section of the Eastern Yar discussing the history of the river, challenges it faces and possible remedies. Collect twigs en-route for a major tournament!

Date: 6/5/2017    Start Time: 14:00 pm Start location: Public car park, School Lane, Newchurch

Grid ref: 551 798   Duration: 2.50 hours, 3.00 miles        Booking advised – 01983 201565

Cost: Suggested donation of £2.00 to Gift to NaturePicture1

Walk Leader: Carol Flux

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The 2016 Gift to Nature Gala Dinner

A new charity fundraising event has appeared on the Isle of Wight’s busy charity calendar – the Gift to Nature Gala Dinner. This melange of food, frolics, prizes and music was created to celebrate the relaunch of the Island’s new, bigger local countryside charity. Gift to Nature is a part of the local Island 2000 Trust charity, and has recently taken over the management of most of the Isle of Wight Council’s countryside sites, including local favourites such as Brading Down, Golden Hill, Batt’s Copse and Rew Down. Read more

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The 2016 Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition

The 24th Annual Hedgelaying Competition was held on 27 February at Parkdown Barns, Calbourne Road, Newport, PO30 4HP, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Mike Morris.

Lead sponsors in 2016: Landscape Therapy; Gift to Nature; Wight AONB; Hants & IW Wildlife Trust; Cross Country Services

A cold but dry day provided ideal conditions for the fourteen entrants to the 2016 Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition. The competition was held for the second year at Parkdown Barns, with landowner Mike Morris welcoming back the hedgerow group to finish off the hedge they had started laying in 2015.

Read more

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Sandman Snowman 2016 – one of the biggest ever!

Once again at Small Hope Beach in Shanklin. Thanks to excellent support from IW County Press and IW Radio we had loads of people turn up despite it being a blustery day. With over 50 sandmen it was one of the biggest Sandman Snowman events we have ever had! Read more

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