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Moss & Lichen Walk at Mill Lakes
08 April 2025

Moss & Lichen Walk at Mill Lakes - Sunday 27th April at 10:30amMeet at Mill Lakes entrance what3words trail.indoors.leap.
At 10:30am, bring a field loope or magnifying glass (we have some borrow).
Free Event
Have you ever wanted to know more about the complicated world of Moss
and Lichens?.
Bestwood Country Park wildlife group have organisedfor a local expertto come
out for a guidedwalk.
This is a Free eventso please do come and join us.
Adults and children welcome.

Please wear suitable clothing for walking around the Mill Lakes.

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Notice of litter picks organised for this weekend
18 March 2025

Friends of Bestwood Country Park are taking part in the Gedling "spring cleaning" litter picks in the park this coming weekend. 

The first one will start at 11 a.m. on Saturday 22nd at the Bestwood Lodge Hotel (meet between the hotel car park and the hotel entrance). 

The second one will start at 2 p.m. on Sunday 23rd at the Dynamo House, Bestwood Village. 

We will have litter pickers and bin bags. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing, and bring gardening gloves if you have them. 

Please let us know if you are planning to come, to give us an idea of numbers, by emailing [email protected]

Meeting date for Darling Buds of May
16 February 2025

We are in need of volunteers to help with our flagship event of the year which takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 26th of May from 12noon to 4pm.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated to help with planning or the day itself. Help is needed to man stalls, set up and tidy away etc. Even if you can only help for an hour or two that would be welcome.
Our next planning meeting is on Friday 28th February at 2pm in the Dynamo House.
Please do let me know if you can attend the meeting or offer help on the day.
Many thanks,

email [email protected]

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Edible Hegde Planting event Saturday 1st March
16 February 2025

Bestwood Edible Hedge Planting Event
Date: Saturday March 1st.
Time: 10.00a.m. start to 1.00p.m. (people will need to sign in at DEH see LINK below, but can leave at anytime - no obligation to stay for all session)

Meeting point: Dynamo Engine House - to be signed in and then walk to planting site (about 15 minutes walk).
Tools and trees provided etc but people welcome to bring their own spade.
Essentials Info: Wear gloves, and sturdy boots / wellies. The site is likely to be wet / muddy.
Here is the link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bestwood-country-park-edible-hedge-project-tickets-1237367983949?aff=oddtdtcreator 

Bestwood Country Park - Edible Hedge Project
Background
 
The purpose of the hedge is to:

1. To screen the open ground / ground nesting bird area and provide a natural barrier against unauthorised access from the proposed footpath.
2. To produce a mix of food sources (blossom, nuts, berries, fruits) for both people and wildlife. 
   

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Step Back In Time
23 January 2025

We have been reminded just how far the Mill Lakes area has developed since its creation over 50 years ago in 1973. We've recently been sent copies of a set of photos taken back in 1978 when it was in its infancy. They show a very different environment to that we see today.
Before your next walk around the Mill Lakes why not check out these early photos and see if you can find the same locations and compare the current views.
Check out the photos in our 2025 Gallery.

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First Bird Walk of 2025 - places get snapped up!
15 January 2025

The next bird walk has been organised for Sunday 26 January
Meet at the Dynamo House for a prompt 9.30am start.

There will be a two-hour walk to Mill Lakes and back, with our guides Hayley and Carl. They can help you spot elusive birds, identify anything you find and answer your questions.
Please bring binoculars if you have them, wear stout footwear, and wrap up warm. Even the paths can be very muddy.
Everyone is welcome but booking is essential as places are limited and it is always a sell out.

To book, email [email protected]

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Free Amphibian Training
15 January 2025

If you have an interest in amphibians, please see the email below for details of a training opportunity

If you do go along, please do let me have some feedback on the session.

Please find attached details about an opportunity to find out more about amphibians with an online event being led by the Notts ARG (Amphibian and Reptile Group). The event will cover information including amphibian ID and ecology, about why and how the group conduct toad patrols and the importance of biosecurity. It is hoped this might inspire you to join one of the many toad patrols that are active across the county. See below (and attached) for more details.

 
If you’d like to find out more please contact
[email protected]

Greenwood Courses
15 January 2025

You are invited to apply for a variety of short courses run through Greenwood Community Forest.
Check out the full list of courses on the document below. Greenwood are offering these in partnership with Inspire, and they are free to those who are in receipt of benefits. We would like to ensure everyone is offered the opportunity to join in and that places get filled. Use the links on the document to find out more info on how to apply.
2025 Greenwood Spring Courses Document

Extra Slice
23 December 2024

As you have all been so good, we have a little extra for you this Christmas.

The Dynamo House Community Cafe will be open 26 December 2024 from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Escape the family, or bring them with you. Freshly made cakes and hot & cold drinks will be available with our usual warm welcome. Merry Christmas!

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Darling Buds of May 2025
18 December 2024

Dear Friends,
A date has been set for next year's event, it will be on Bank Holiday Monday 26th May.
We have started to hold planning meetings and hope that new members may join us to plan for this event which is well attended and appreciated by all.
The event is planned with members of the Greenwood Community Forest team at Notts. County Council but volunteers are needed on the ground to help on the day. This could involve erecting gazebos, manning stalls, clearing up and generally being useful.
We should have the usual entertainment, music, children's activities, plant stalls etc but if you have any new ideas please do join us in the planning.
I will let you know when the next planning meeting is to be held in the New Year and hope that you may be able to join us.

Dynamo House Cafe Cancelled
05 December 2024

CANCELLED - The Dynamo House Cafe will be closed on Saturday 7th December. We are sorry to have to let our valued customers down but illness has struck. The weather looks rather horrible on Saturday so maybe stay in and keep warm. We will be back on the 14th for our usual offerings plus Ian's homemade soup and rolls.

Friends of Bestwood Country Park Meeting
30 November 2024

Bestwood Country Park Meeting
To be held in the Dynamo House Monday 6th January 2025 at 10am.
You are all warmly welcome please come along and find out What is Going on!!!

News Flash

Some incredible news:  A very rare fungi has been identified in the Country Park by Hayley and Rory from the FoBCP Wildlife Group.  It is Ramaria decurrens -  common name is ochre coral.  Craig Levy who works at the park and a member of the Notts fungi group said that it had only been recorded in the country once before!

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News from October 2024 - November 2023 is stored on our News Archive page here
News from October 2023 - November 2022 is stored on our News Archive page here
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.

In partnership with

We are on Instagram
  #fofbcp

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Useful Contact Details

Bestwood Country Park Ranger via the Notts County Council Customer Services Team on 0300 500 8080

Please report any overflowing bins directly to Gedling Borough Council – 0115 9013901.

Gedling Borough Council out of hours number 0800 0960306

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 [email protected] 
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.