Latest Park News

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What's on in the park?   Mining History

Bake one of the cafe cakes   Gallery   Maps

Bird Walk
6 November 2023

The next guided bird walk has been arranged for Saturday 25 November. We will meet at the Dynamo House to leave promptly on the walk at 10am.
Join Hayley and Carl to look for and identify birds around the Country Park.
The walk will last about 2 hours.
Please wear stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them.
The walk is free but is limited to 15 people so please book early. To book email: events@fbcp.org.uk

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Information Notice
2 November 2023

Hedge-laying Workshops
1 November 2023

Hedge-laying complete

Lee Scudder, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Land Manager, has agreed to lead hedge-laying workshops at Moor Pond Woods, Papplewick. These are free to attend and will be in three sessions. The first date will be Tuesday 14 November 2023 and then by agreement with participants in December & January.
Places are limited so notify Gill or Stephen if you are interested as soon as possible. Please email them on :-
gill.grievson@nottscc.gov.uk
stephenj_walker@btinternet.com

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Health Walks
5 October 2023

Fungi Walk
5 October 2023

Join Ann Ward from Notts Fungi Group to search for fungi in Bestwood Country Park on Sunday 5 November 2023. 
Meet at the Dynamo House at 10am. Adults and children are welcome, but book early as places are limited to 15.
To book please e-mail:  events@fbcp.org.uk
There is no charge for this event.

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More Moths & Bats
30 September 2023

Moth and Bat Night
Saturday 7 October 2023
From 8 pm onwards at the Dynamo House
Following the success of the event held on 2 September another moth & bat night will be held in the country park. A moth trap will be run as soon as it is dark to catch moths, identify them, before releasing them back into the wild.
Bat detectors will also be available to use to see which bats are flying around.
Everyone is welcome to come along and stay as long as you would like. There is no need to book.
The Dynamo House will be open as an indoor space to look at the moths and for use of the toilet.

Still Good Value
29 September 2023

Due to the increasing cost of ingredients in our home-make cakes we have had to put the price up to £1 a piece. We have held the price of the drinks at 50p for our great filter coffee, well-brewed Yorkshire tea and creamy Galaxy chocolate. This means you still get great value when you visit the cafe on Saturdays 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Autumn 2023 - Pit Pony Edition
28 September 2023

In this edition we are looking at the role of pit ponies in the coal industry.
People used to think a coal mine was a dark and dirty place to work in: there was certainly
no glamour down there. For one group, though, this could not have been further from the truth!
The Dynamo Magazine Click Here

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Change of date for FoBCP Meeting to 25th Sep
6 September 2023

Due to a number of committee members not being available on September 11, we have decided to move the next FoBCP meeting to Monday 25 September. The time remains as 7pm at the Dynamo House. 

Vital Venue
1 September 2023

If you need a venue for your meeting, party, outside gathering or most other things, look no further than the Dynamo House and its compound. We have hired out the Dynamo House for everything from a baby naming ceremony to a funeral wake and everything in between. This is why you occasionally see a "Private Function" sign on the compound gate. You may see one on 24 September when the Notts Greyhound Group will be holding their private event. Please respect the privacy of any private hire event, even if the gate is open.
Email us to check on availability for your next event using the contact form.

Bat & Moth Night
31 August 2023

FoBCP are running another bat & moth detection night on Saturday 2 September from 8pm onwards at the Dynamo House compound.
A moth trap will be set up after dark to catch & identify moths - they’re unharmed and released afterwards. Bat detectors will be available to use to identify any passing bats to see what the moths are flying around tying to avoid. All are welcome
No need to book, just drop by and enjoy the night life.

Meeting Dates For Your Diary
30 August 2023

A few meeting dates for your diary on the poster below. For more info on what's on in the park click here.

Moth Night
7 July 2023

The Friends of Bestwood CP Wildlife Group is holding a Moth Night on Friday 14 July at the Dynamo House. This is an opportunity to see some of the nocturnal inhabitants of the Country Park. The group is setting up from 9pm and moths will likely appear from 10pm onwards. The Dynamo House will be open until 11pm for toilet facilities.

A moth trap will be used to attract moths (it doesn’t harm moths but attracts them to a light) and bat detectors will be used to see what bats are around (they should appear from 9.30pm onwards).

Come along for the whole session or for what suits you. All welcome, there is no need to book.

Your Ideas and Thoughts
5 July 2023

What more do you want?!

Our wonderful park gives so many of us so much pleasure, but there’s possibly so much more that could be done to enhance our park for people and wildlife.

We’re gathering ideas - and yours are important.

Jot your thoughts down and pop them in the box in the Dynamo House.Or send them to info@fbcp.org.uk, or contact form.

If you want to join our informal development team let us know too!

Closing date for your responses 31 August 2023.

Cheers For Volunteers
5 July 2023

3 Cheers For Volunteers
24 June 2023

The latest edition of The Dynamo magazine is out today and focuses on the volunteers that keep the park at its best. Read all about them by either picking up a paper copy in the Dynamo House Cafe today (open 9.30am to 12.30pm) or by downloading one here.

If you'd like to join our amazing team of volunteers drop us a line using the contact form.

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Dates For Your Diary
23 June 2023

Sad News
20 June 2023

It is with great sadness that we share the recent death in hospital of Chris Whiting, one of our founder members. Chris was an unfailingly kind man who had been a volunteer ranger in the park for many years. Wearing his trademark bucket hat, he was always an invaluable source of knowledge about our park at the many Friends’ group meetings he attended. Although he was not in good health, Chris’s passion for our park remained undimmed.
Most recently he pressed for the proposed new housing development on the old fire service HQ to include an area set aside as a meadow. If this happens, we’ll press for it to carry Chris’s name. Another Chris legacy is that your Friends’ group is at the early stages of developing a volunteer warden scheme to be launched later in the year, this is something of which he would wholly approve.
Chris was a man of great humility. He would have made no claims about an exceptional knowledge of the wildlife in the park. What he had, was a down-to-earth passion that, along with those other visionaries who created our Friends’ group, really made a difference. We would love to think that there are many more people, inspired by Chris Whiting’s passion who will go on in the future to build on all he achieved.

His funeral will be at 11am on Monday, 3 July at Emmanuel Church followed by the  burial at 12 noon at Redhill Cemetery.

Looking Back
10 June 2023

Timeline Booklet just £1

 If you want to know a little more about the history of the area we now know as Bestwood Country Park there are several ways you can do this.
- You can pop into the Dynamo House Cafe (9.30am - 12.30pm Saturdays) to read the wall display or purchase Timeline Booklet for £1 at the cafe.
- You can pop over to the Winding Engine House (10am to 12 noon Saturdays) for a free tour of this historic mining building.
- You can get involved with the Heritage Group whose next meeting is on 11 July 2023 7pm at the Bestwood Lodge Hotel.
There is certainly a lot of history worth looking back on in the park.

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Fancy A Walk?
7 June 2023

We are now able to offer guided walks for those of you who may not have walked much before or those who would like to start. The first walk is on 13 June setting out at 10am from the Dynamo House for a gentle stroll lasting around 90 minutes.
Please see the poster below or the What's On page for more details and how to book.
There is no provision to bring dogs on these new walks. This is a change from the previous Health Walks run by Sue, but this is what we now want to offer. We hope to include some "Forest Bathing" on these walks and that can’t be undertaken with dogs. 
This is a new venture and one that we hope will be beneficial to those looking for gentle exercise in a safe, social environment. Do come along and give it a try.

What's Bugging You?
5 June 2023

Photo by Rob Carlyle

These people now know exactly what was bugging them. They went along on the recent insect walk and soon identified the bugs, beetles, and other insects that they came across on their travels. Under the guidance of insect expert, Adrian Dutton, the group found a wide variety of insects around the park to examine and classify.
Look out for details of any future guided wildlife walks in the park.

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Blooming Marvellous Event
30 May 2023

Photo by Colin Turner captures the event perfectly

Bank Holiday Monday saw the compound around the Winding Engine House and the Dynamo House buzzing with activity as we celebrated the Darling Buds Of May. There was singing, a little dancing, picnicking, bug hunting, Japanese fabric dyeing, questioning of garden experts, pony petting and lots of plant buying.
To see photos of the day just check out the gallery.

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Insect Walk
28 May 2023

We are arranging an insect identification walk on Saturday 3 June. Meet at 9.45 am at the Dynamo House to leave promptly on the walk at 10 am. Please wear stout footwear.
Join Adrian Dutton, beetle recorder for Notts, and Hayley & Carl to look for insects and other wildlife around the Country Park. The walk will last approximately 2 hours.

The walk is limited to 15 people so BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL.
To book email: events@fbcp.org.uk

Wildlife Group Meeting
8 May 2023

A date has been set for the next meeting of the Wildlife Group. Friday 12 May is the date for your diary, 2pm at the Dynamo House on Bestwood Country Park.

All are welcome to attend and drinks will be provided.

Darling Buds of May Event
2 May 2023

After a very successful event held last year, we are again supporting a day of activities, music, crafts and stalls to celebrate 'The Darling Buds of May,' on Bank Holiday Monday, 29 May.
More information on our What's on
page.

If you have any queries relating to this please email info@fbcp.org.uk

Downward Dog Yoga Walk
20 April 2023

A yoga walk is being arranged in the park on 29 April staring at 10.30am
Find enhanced well-being through the healing effects of yoga nature using all 5 senses. It can help to relieve tension, lower stress, improve mood, strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and sleep.
Everybody welcome, especially beginners to yoga. Well behaved dogs allowed.
Places limited to 10
As part of this PRE-BOOKING of places is essential.
For more information & to make a booking go to our What's on Page

Industrial Images
14 April 2023

Ross Holland was out in the park last month capturing some brooding images of the Winding Engine House. He had his first visit to the Winding House in March which he thoroughly enjoyed. See a selection of the pictures he took in our gallery.
If you have photos of the park, old or new, that you are happy to share in our gallery please send them in to us using photos@fbcp.org.uk

FoBCP Heritage Group - Rearranged for 31 March
17  March 2023

The FoBCP Heritage Group meeting that was postponed due to the snow last week has been rearranged for Friday 31st March at 2pm.

We hope that we are able have the talk on Alexandra Lodges by Alan from Nottingham Buildings Preservation Trust if the speaker is available.

We will be looking to further develop some of the ideas proposed in our previous meetings.

FoBCP Heritage Group Meeting - Postponed
9 March 2023

Due to the ongoing forecast of snow in the area, we are postponing the next meeting of the Heritage Group on Friday 10th March at the Bestwood Lodge Hotel.

We haven't yet arranged a new date, but will publicise it on all our channels as soon as we had a new date

FoBCP Meeting
5 March 2023

FoBCP Heritage Group Meeting
3 March 2023

The next meeting of the Heritage Group is on Friday 10th March at the Bestwood Lodge Hotel at 2:00pm.

We have a guest speaker from the Nottingham Buildings Preservation Trust and members of the group will be outlining their heritage material of the Park.  

​All welcome.​

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BBC Bargain Hunt At The Winding Engine House
28 January 2023

The BBC team that filmed Bargain Hunt at the Winding Engine House and spoke to Bob Gow on the 23rd of August last year have contacted him to say that it will be shown on Friday 10th of February at 12.15.
Not to be missed.

FoBCP Wildlife Group Meeting
23 January 2023

The next meeting of the Wildlife Group is next Wednesday 1st February at the Dynamo House at 1:00pm. All welcome.​

Interview With Eric Troop; Our Park's Creator
22 January 2023

With thanks to two of our members, Peter & Stella, I have been able to interview our park's creator, Eric Troop. Peter & Stella met Eric whilst on holiday and have acted as go-betweens in our communications.

I have had two lovely telephone chats with Eric, the second one so that he could correct my first draft!

I have attached the notes that I took and hope that they are as accurate as can be. I do apologise if there are any omissions, incorrect names etc.

If anyone has memories of him or more information relating to the period of his tenure that may be of interest, please send them either to me or pop along to a meeting of the Heritage Group to help us gain a more thorough picture of the park's history.

I hope you enjoy his story - Carol Hart - click here for the story....

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Cafe Open As Usual Tomorrow
20 January 2023

The cafe will be open as usual on Saturday 21st January 9:30am to 12:30pm serving hot & cold drinks and home-made cakes.

Industrial Heritage Group Meeting
9 January 2023

The next meeting of the Industrial Heritage Group is this Friday 13th January at the Bestwood Lodge Hotel at 2:00pm. The intention is to start to identify activities that we can start to progress.
All welcome.​

New Opportunities in New Year
31 December 2022

A registered yoga practitioner and therapist is considering running classes for a gentle Saturday morning contemplative walk in the park. It would run from 10am to 12noon with invitations to practice some slow yoga, mindful meditations and Pranayama – calming breath practices. There is potential for this to take place a couple of times in the New Year. Beginners would be welcome. In fact everybody would be welcome!
To assess the potential popularity of "Yoga in the Park", please let us know your thoughts at events@fbcp.org.uk.

Shooting In The Park
30 December 2022

The only sort of shooting we allow in the park is with a camera of course and Robert Plewinski has been out and about doing just that. The winter months give a whole new perspective to the views in the park. Why not get out and about with your camera or phone and send your park images to us. photos@fbcp.org.uk 

Orchard Ideas
22 December 2022

Ideas are being discussed about the planting of a community orchard to form part of the path boundaries in the newly wooded areas of the park. We would love your thoughts on this. Please let us know either by email at info@fbcp.org.uk or join in the discussion on our facebook group

Planting Plan
13 December 2022

We had a site meeting with Nick Tucker of the Trees4Climate team this week. You may recall that the County Council & Greenwood Community Forest are planting thousands of native trees in the former ‘cow fields’. The little trees planted in the first phase have survived the drought well. The next planting phase will be in January 2023.
New footpaths will be created in the Trees4Climate planting areas. We’re pleased that, at the request of your wildlife group, the new footpaths will be bounded by native, mixed thorn hedges. These hedges are intended to keep dogs out of the areas intended for wildlife and be beneficial to birds and other wildlife. We’re delighted that the planting of these footpath hedges will happen at the same time as the planned perimeter hedge.
The council maintained its commitment to creating a wildlife pond. This will happen later in the scheme. Well done team!!

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Foraging Festivities
9 December 2022

The donated wreath

The Dynamo House was booked out for a private function yesterday afternoon. A group of local residents first went foraging in their gardens and the park for foliage to make Christmas wreaths.
The Dynamo House was the venue to bring all their finds together and get creative. A selection of festive decorations were soon crafted and an extra one was donated to the village. The one pictured here now hangs on the fence surrounding the village Christmas Tree. If you would like to hire the Dynamo House please contact us. There are more photos in the gallery.

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Lord Lieutenant's Visit
8 December 2022

Friends of Bestwood Country Park joined Greenwood Community Forest & the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire to plant an oak sapling in the Queen's Green Canopy in the park today. The sapling was grown from the famous Major Oak and was one of four planted into Bestwood Country Park today. Afterwards the party of 18 enjoyed hot drinks and cakes back at the Dynamo House - a welcome chance to thaw out on what was a very cold day in the park. Thank you to all involved. More photos in the gallery.

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Village Lectern Appreciated
7 December 2022

The Friends Group Chair, Rob Carlyle, has written to the Parish Council to officially thank them for erecting the lectern at the entrance to the park in Bestwood Village. The lectern names those who lost their lives working in the colliery on one side and has a map highlighting heritage sites in the village on the other. It sits beside the memorial bench and flower tub giving people a place to sit and contemplate the history contained in the country park. To see a copy of the letter and close ups of both sides of the lectern just go to the gallery.

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Have Your Cake & Eat It
5 December 2022

You might want to put a couple of extra dates into your festive diary. The Dynamo House Cafe will be open for business on Boxing Day Monday 26 December and BH Monday 2 January. If you are feeling full of festive food, nursing a hangover or just want a change of scenery you can pop into the park and blow away the cobwebs before enjoying some refreshments at the cafe. We would love to see you on these extra opening days

Bird Walk
29 November 2022

Our next guided bird walk in the park will be on Saturday 10 December 2022 and will be led by Carl Cornish (RSPB) and our own Hayley Sears. The walks are taken at a gentle pace but the park is hilly. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars if you have them. Participants will meet at 9am at the Dynamo House and the walk will end back at the Dynamo House for refreshments to be taken.
There are limited places so it is essential to book your place.
To book a place contact events@fbcp.org.uk

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Heritage Group - Date For The Diary
28 November 2023

Thanks to everyone who joined us at our inaugural Heritage Group meeting which was held on the 22 November. The room was buzzing with ideas. A brilliant start.
Our next meeting is at 2pm on Friday, 13th of January 2023 at Bestwood Lodge.
To find out out more contact our information hub info@fbcp.org.uk

Volunteer Shortage
26 November 2022

Sadly the free tours of the Winding Engine House will not be running today due to a shortage of available engineers to be the guides. If you would like to volunteer for any of the many jobs at the cafe or engine house please drop us a line. We are always looking for keen people to take on volunteer roles. Just drop us a line here if you think you can help: contact us

Wildlife Group Chat
17 November 2022

The Wildlife Group now has a WhatsApp chat group for anyone interested in keeping up to date on what they are doing. This is open to anyone who would like to join in the chats, whether they belong to the group or not.
If you would like to know more about the group in general, you can contact Sue McDonald: sue.mcdonald@nottscc.gov.uk

Park Photos
15 November 2022

Just a reminder regarding this week's photo "show and share" evening with Katja.
Date        Thursday 17th Nov
Time        18:30 - 20:30
Location   Dynamo House
Bring along your favourite photographs of wildlife/landscapes taken around the park to share and discuss over a coffee or two.

(Prints would be the preferred media, but any way you are able to share will be great.)
People without their own photos are welcome to come along for interest & inspiration.
Please contact Richard if you will be attending: rcbrock14@gmail.com

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History & Heritage
14 November 2022

We are setting up a new focus group for everyone who is interested in the history and heritage of Bestwood Country Park. From ancient hunting ground for the kings of England, to supplying coal & steel to the world there is lots to discover.
The inaugural meeting will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 22 November 2022 at the Bestwood Lodge Hotel.
If you are interested in local history and would be excited to join the group to help to draw the information together and make it more available to everyone please come along and get involved.
If you have any questions please get in touch info@fbcp.org.uk.

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New Calendar? Mark This Date!
13 November 2022

As soon as you get your hands on your 2023 calendar you need to add this event to make sure that you don't miss out.
Monday Bank Holiday Monday 29 May 2023
We will be running a family event at the Winding Engine House compound called Darling Buds Of May
We ran the event for the first time last May and it was a great success. Next time around it will be even bigger with even more ways to celebrate the joys of spring blooming in the country park.
We’d like to offer geo-caching or orienteering as activities on the day but need a team of volunteers to make it happen. If you can offer your help please contact us on info@fbcp.org.uk.
Look out for more information closer to the date.

Tharrr She Blows
2 November 2022

The much awaited fountain is at last ensconced at the entrance to the hotel's car park. Not only does it look good, it is a reliable source of water for birds and a myriad of other thirsty animals and insects. It may not quite reach the grandeur and fame of the Old Faithful geyser, but you should come and see it and have your photo taken with it for history to see, tickets or appointments are not always necessary.

News from October 2022 - November 2021 is stored on our News Archive page here.
News from October 2021 - November 2020 is stored on our News Archive page here
News from October 2020 - November 2018 is stored on our News Archive page here.
News from October 2018 - November 2016 is stored on our News Archive page here.
News from October 2016 - November 2015 is stored on our News Archive page here.
News from November 2015 and before is stored on our News Archive page here.

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Useful Contact Details

To report anti-social behaviour to the council, 0115 9013972
environmentalhealth@gedling.gov.uk

Nottinghamshire County Council Emergency Number is 0115 9773674 for anything out of hours for Alexandra Lodge.

Gedling Borough Council out of hours number 0800 0960306 for GBC managed buildings/parts of the site.

Bestwood Country Park Site Office 0115 9757273

Who are we?

The Friends of Bestwood Country Park was formed in late 2007 and focuses its activities a few miles north of Nottingham in Bestwood Country Park.
The group’s aim overall is to promote the interests of our big beautiful park, its habitats and flora and fauna as well as its many human visitors and its historic buildings, and to serve as an active means of communication and co-operation between all users. 
The group meets most months, you can check out what goes on at the meetings page. We are always looking for new members to join us and everyone is welcome to come along to the meetings. If you think you would be interested in coming along please use the contact us form to let us have your details.

What do we actually do?

There are several strands to the group of people interested in the park so it is not all about meetings! If you like baking or serving coffee and cake you might want to join our Dynamo House Cafe volunteers. If you’re into engineering, you might be interested in joining the Winding Engine House volunteers. If you’re into practical conservation, there are conservation groups that meet on certain weekdays to help the rangers with their work. No experience necessary and tools will be provided.
To find out more check out out volunteering page under the Events tab, or the What's On page.

Useful Links

Read the Richard the Ranger's blog - click here
Read Rob's blog - click here

Bestwood Country Park Facebook account

Bestwood Country Park Flickr site

Bestwood Village Park Run

Bestwood Village WI

Bestwood Village Wikipedia entry

Greenwood Community Forest

Friends of Newstead & Annesley Country Park

Love Parks

Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group

Nottinghamshire CC - Country Parks

If you have images of the park you would like to add to our gallery please send them in to us using photos@fbcp.org.uk 
You can discuss the format we need using the contact us form.

Actually wanted Friends of Buchan Country Park, based in West Sussex? If so, click here:- fobcp.org.uk.