THE FOREST of Dean Wildlife Watch Group have published their programme for children for the coming year – a packed schedule of 11 events being held between now and next July.

The first of these will be a Wildlife Survey, on Sunday September 23, at the Asha Centre, Gunn Mill House, Lower Spout Lane, in Flaxley, GL17 0EA. This is described as being a quest to find: "What lives where at the Asha Centre garden and how many of them are there?" During the event, which runs from 10.15am and 12.30pm, parents can stay with their children (aged 3 to 16) – or leave them with the group. The cost is just £1.

The organisers suggest that all children taking part should wear old clothes, and to come prepared for wind, rain or sun.

Other events on the Dean Watch calendar include Apples and Autumn on October 14 at Asha Centre, a Fungal Foray on November 18 (venue to be announced), and Christmas Party and Bird Feeding on December 16 (Asha Centre). Next year they are planning a traditional Wassail celebration on January 20 (Asha Centre), a Daffodil Walk in Dymock on March 17 (provisional date), Insects And Their Houses on April 21 (Asha Centre), Bluebell Walk in Welshbury Woods, the intriguingly titled Building An Insect Hotel on June 16 (Asha Centre) and finally Pond Dipping on July 14 at the Nagshead RSPB Reserve. All events are on Sunday.

For more information contact Steve Miller on 01452 762730 or Jo on 07977 566 986.