Arena

We have put together an exciting arena programme that includes: gundog training; a display of indigenous Birds of Prey ; sheepdogs at work with geese, beagles, the Royal Pigeon Racing Association and of course Ferret Racing.

10.00 Working with sheepdogs – David Seamark
10.30 Free flying birds of prey – Martin Ballam
11.00 Training Gundogs – Graham Watkins
11.30 Meet the North Essex & De Burgh Basset Hounds
11.50 Release of Racing Pigeons
12.00 Lunch Break
12.15 Working with sheepdogs – David Seamark
12.45 Free flying birds of prey – Martin Ballam
13.15 Ferret Racing – Clerk of the Course, Starter and Chief Steward – Graham Watkins
13.45 Meet the North Essex & De Burgh Basset Hounds
14.15 Close

Basset Hounds

Come along and meet the North Essex & De Burgh Basset Hounds.

The Association of Masters of Basset Hounds, the Organisation that regulates Basset Hound packs, recommends trail hunting as an alternative activity to live quarry hunting (pending repeal of the Hunting Act). It describes trail hunting as the hunting of an artificial scent and recommends that hunts use the scent of a hare. The Association states that “There is no reason why huntsman or followers should know in advance the route hounds will take when following a trail, thus closely matching hunting in it’s traditional form".

The official website of DEFRA, the Government Ministry with responsibility for the countryside, states "Trail hunting is perfectly legal, as long as animal welfare and other laws are not broken in the process of obtaining the scent. Many hunts have adopted some form of trail hunting in place of live quarry hunting. The Government has said that it welcomes this, provided that the hunts are genuinely intending to stay within the law and not trying to use the practice as a subterfuge for engaging in illegal hunting activities."

This is a drop-in activity for any age range.

BASC (British Association for Shooting and Conservation)

The Game Chain/Airgun BB gun misuse

The Game Chain

The chance to discover game food and an opportunity to try it too with our venison burger bar!

A lively interactive look at how game (wild birds and animals) as a food source, gets from the heart of the countryside to city shops and restaurants - why it's becoming so popular, why it's such a healthy eating option, what the game species are, what BASC does to ensure the welfare of game species and their environment.

The lively and informative presentation is illustrated with:
· a poster display
· burger bar (venison burgers)
· goose and duck calling
· live pheasants
· interactive display with rotating info-cubes and a lift-flap table
· visual display of British game species -(taxidermy and photos)
· leaflets to take away

In addition for teachers/group leaders - an A4 ring-bound Teacher Resource Pack is available, covering all aspects of shooting and conservation. BASC staff available to talk about all aspects of shooting and conservation. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation is the UK's largest field sport organisation.

Airgun and BB gun misuse

The AETO (Airgun Training & Education Organisation) was formed 7 years ago with the aim of teaching people of all ages that airguns are used for a wide range of activities from sporting use such as target shooting and Olympic disciplines, through to pest control. Many local authorities employ marksmen to control pest species such as rats and feral pigeons.

Unfortunately airguns also get misused and we have an active education programme that we take into schools to educate young people that an airgun or BB gun is not a toy and the consequences of having either in a public place is a serious offence that could involve being faced by an armed police officer. We get support for this programme from various police forces and ACPO.

At the events that we do with the CFE, we explore the relationship between food production and the control of pest species to the farmer (rabbits and wood pigeons) and this also gives us the opportunity to get the message across that guns are not toys and that we don’t live in a movie type world. The activity is very interactive with photographs of British deer species and antlers to handle, stuffed rabbits and pigeons and other native animal/bird species for the children to look at and touch. We also have a venison burger bar and goodie bags for the children along with a teacher resource pack for follow up lessons and information.

This is a bookable activity. Age range - all. Group size up to 30. Approximate duration of activity 20 minutes.

NB. For those groups booked in for a session - they will receive goodie bags and venison burgers, in addition to a talk on conservation or safe use of air rifles. WE ALSO WELCOME VISITORS WHO ARE NOT BOOKED IN, TO HAVE A LOOK AROUND OUR STAND AT THE INTERATIVE DISPLAYS AND POSTERS.

Visit their website: www.basc.org.uk

British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust -Racing to School

Weighing In

Pupils will gain an insight into what it's like to be a jockey and see what goes on behind the scenes in the Weighing Room. They will see a practical application of the maths they learn in the classroom.

This is a bookable activity, for 7-11 year olds. Group size up to 30. Approximate duration of activity 25 minutes.

Visit their websites: www.racingtoschool.org.uk and www.bhest.co.uk

National Curriculum – Functional Maths.

British Waterfowl Association

Come and see the ducks.

An opportunity for children to learn about ducks and their uses to man.

This is a drop-in activity for any age range.

Visit their website: www.waterfowl.org.uk

British Waterways London (two activities)

Wildlife in the River Lea

British Waterways London manages 110 miles of rivers and canals and 110 acres of docks in the capital and provides a free education service to local schools. Come and explore the waterways and find out what is living in the River Lea.

This is a drop-in activity for 7 to 11 year olds.

Boat trip

Enjoy a half hour boat trip provided by qualified skippers from the Canal Boat Project on board their boat The Dawn Treader. During the trip children will identify and count a variety of birds on the water. Please meet at the British Waterways tent, 5 minutes before your trip start time, so that you can be escorted to the boat.

This is a bookable activity for groups of a maximum of 10 children who MUST be accompanied by two adults. Age range 7-11 year olds. Duration 30 minutes on the hour and half hour. Meet 10 mins prior to activity to get life jackets and make way to water.

Visit their website: www.wow4water.net

Corndollies

Corndolly Making

Come and see the demonstration of corn weaving and dolly making. Each child makes a countryman's favour. These were worn by farm workers at country fairs to signify the type of work they did e.g. shepherd would have wool in his favour.

This is a bookable activity. Age range - 6 years upwards. Group size up to 30 – we can take two groups at a time. Approximate duration of activity 35 minutes.

The Countryside Alliance Foundation

Countryside Investigators

Countryside Investigators aims to encourage Key Stage 2 children to learn about the countryside by exploring 10 interesting rural jobs. The resource is made up of a number of elements designed to be used flexibly:

Introductory videos; Facts and information; Interactive web games; Online quizzes; Classroom activities; Visits to the countryside; Curriculum links; Useful websites.

The emphasis throughout is on learning about the protection, conservation and enjoyment of the countryside through practical and fun activities for the 7–11 age group. The learning materials on the site are all written to complement ongoing work at KS2 and to tie in with a number of National Curriculum subjects for England and Wales, including: Geography, Citizenship, English, Science, ICT and Art & Design.

Come along and have a look at the website.

This is a drop in activity for any age range.

Visit their website: www.countryside-alliance.org and www.countrysideinvestigators.org.uk

The Countryside Foundation for Education

Artists in Action, Amazing Psychedelic Animals

A chance to reflect on the animals that you’ve seen during the day and draw some of your favourites. Colouring in sheets will be provided or you can have a crack at drawing your own. At the end of the session you can either leave your animals on the wall as part of a display that will remain there for the duration of the show or take your animals away with you and build your own countryside scene at home or back at school.

This is a drop in activity for any age range.

Visit their website: www.countrysidefoundation.org.uk

The Drapers' Company and City Barge – booking form and meeting place at the Registration tent

Rowing a city barge as a passenger or crew member

We will bring a 6-oared shallop (barge). You bring 6 to sit as passengers and 4 big ones to row with our skeleton crew. We teach: PORT & STARBOARD (red and green); starting and stopping; turning round; getting aboard and going ashore; personal transport – which came first bicycle, car or boat?

This is a bookable activity for groups of a maximum of 10 children who MUST be accompanied by two adults. Age range 7-11 year olds. Duration 30 minutes on the hour and half hour. Meet 10 mins prior to activity to get life jackets and make way to water.

Visit their website www.city-barge.org

East Essex Food and Farming Group

The Cereal Story

The Cereal Story - aims to explain how food reaches our plates - the food chain, from plants (wheat, barley, oats) to the variety of food available from British farms.

This is a drop-in activity for any age range.

Falconry

There will be an all day static display of birds of prey, together with flying demonstrations as part of the arena programme. During the day staff will be able to answer questions and talk to children about the birds and their role in the countryside and how we can work to protect them.

This is a drop-in activity for any age range.

Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) - Thursday only

Fruit and Veg Bingo

Identifying different fruit and vegetables with discussion on where they come from and what part of the plant we eat.

This is a drop-in activity for any age range. Duration of each activity is approx 30 minutes.

Visit their website: www.face-online.org.uk

Food for Life Partnership - Wednesday only

Food Miles Activity

Pupils will look at a variety of food products that have been produced in a variety of ways on a variety of countries. Pupils will be asked to find out where the products have come from by reading the packaging labels. The pupils will then use scale maps and rulers to calculate the distance that the food has travelled. Pupils will then discuss the impacts on the environment of food transportation and will consider ways in which these impacts can be mitigated against.

National Curriculum – Science- Agricultural practices, food production methods, technology, climate change, environmental impacts of human activityGeography- Locations, using maps, using scales, identifying different countries, understanding other culturesCitizenship- Fair trade, how other people live, our choicesEnglish- Reading labels and instructionsMaths- Using scales

This is a drop in activity suitable for any age range. Group size up to 30. Approximate duration of activity 15 minutes.

Visit their website: www.foodforlife.org.uk

Fullers Shire Horses

Come and meet the horses

See the horses at work and have a ride in their dray.

This is a drop-in activity for any age range.

The Gamegoer Team

The Gamegoer Team are part of the arena display with their gundogs and ferrets. The gundog display covers every facet of a working dog's training, incorporating general pet obedience and problems. Always a favourite with the children, watch out for the ferret racing. You can also meet the animals on their stand.

This is a drop-in activity for any age range.

Visit their website: www.gamegoer.co.uk

Green Monster Arts

Going Bats

Each child will make a bat on a stick out of a sock on a pea stick. We will be using socks, stuffing, pea sticks wire, tape, sticky back plastic, wobbly eyes, scissors and wire cutters. The pupils can take their bats home.

This is a bookable activity. Age range 8+. Group size up to 30. Approximate duration of activity 30 minutes.

Visit their website: www.greenmonsterarts.co.uk/

Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust

Water Vole and Wetland Conservation

Come and find out more about one of Britain’s most endangered mammals, the water vole and the work that Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust are doing to conserve them.

We will have a mock up of a river bank to demonstrate the best and worst habitats for water voles as well as showing how we look for water voles and how we can improve habitats for them.

National Curriculum – Citizenship and Science “Living things in the environment”

This is a drop in activity. Age range - any. Group size up to 30. Activity duration – 20 mins.

Visit their website: www.hertswildlifetrust.org

Lee Valley Park Farms

Come and meet a few of the Lee Valley Park Farms animals. There’s also the opportunity to hold and stroke some rabbits, guinea pigs and a tortoise.

This is a drop-in activity for any age range.

Visit their website: www.leevalleypark.org.uk

Lee Valley Park Riding Centre

Guided Tour of Riding Centre

Topics to be covered:

· Riding displays:
- styles, jumping and learning to ride

· The care and livery of horses:
- feed, grooming, exercise requirements, tack and veterinary care

· Recycling and sustainable management of stables:
- solar energy, recycling of materials and waste management

This is a pre-booked activity. Age range any. Group size up to 30. Duration 30 minutes

Visit their website: http://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/en/content/cms/leisure/activities_and_sport
/riding_centre/riding_centre.aspx

Lee Valley Park Youth and Schools Service

Nature Trail

The 55 minute tour will aim to give the children an exciting introduction to this important environment. All children will be lent a set of binoculars to introduce them to bird watching. They will also be able to see first hand the terrestrial invertebrates which provide an important food source for the birds. Identification keys will be provided and staff will be available to assist. Sweep nets, spoons, trays and magnifying pots will be lent to children to allow them to capture and study the invertebrates. These activities will be adapted depending on the age or ability of the group.

National Curriculum: The walk provides links with geography and science parts of the National Curriculum.

This is a pre-booked activity. Age range any. Group size up to 30. Duration 55 minutes

Visit their website: www.leevalleypark.org.uk/en/content/cms/education/education.aspx

London Bat Group

Going Batty

Meet some bats and see how tiny, furry and cute they are. Find out where they live and what they eat. They are completely harmless and they are beneficial to the environment. They are not blind, nor do they suck your blood. Bats use high-pitched sound to navigate and find their insect prey. Normally we can't hear that sound, but we'll have equipment that will let you hear it and let you into the secret world of bats. There'll be a few different sorts of bats for you to see.

National Curriculum – KS2 includes the study of nocturnal animals.

This is a drop in activity. Age range - any. Group size up to 30. Activity duration - 30 mins.

Visit their website: www.londonbats.org.uk

London Wildlife Trust

Snack attack and wildlife parachute

Snack Attack

This activity helps the group to understand that the more structurally complicated the environment, the more animals can survive in it. This game introduces the children to animals they will find in habitats and to the importance of safe habitats in order for survival.

This game is best with lots of room to run around.

• Each child is given a label, which gives the name of a different plant-eating animal found in a mini-beast hunt. Give four children labels naming predatory mini-beasts, for example centipede, ground beetle, harvestman and wolf spider.
• Place plastic leaves in the centre of the play area with 10 hula-hoops placed in a large circle around it.
• The object of the game is for the carnivorous animals to catch as many herbivores as they can. Once caught the herbivores stand out of the game. The herbivores are safe from the carnivores as long as they stand in a hoop, but they have to leave the ring to get a leaf to ‘eat’. They survive the game if they manage to get a leaf and return to a hoop uncaught.
  
  Let the game run for ten minutes and then stop it and see how many herbivores have been caught, how many managed to get leaves and how many got back to a hoop with a leaf and how many did not manage to get a leaf. Take five rings away and play the game again. This game should demonstrate that when there are fewer rings for children to stand in there are fewer opportunities for them to get away from predators. The same fact relates to natural habitats, for example the more logs to hide under the more mini-beasts exist in the area.

Wildlife Parachute

This is a simple game that familiarises children with how animals and plants are grouped into families and species.

• Ask the group to stand in a big circle around the parachute.
• Take a moment to carefully make a mental note of what the children are wearing.
• Tell the group that when you call out an item of clothing, colour of hair or eye colour the children that have those items run under the parachute to the other side as the others life the parachute. They must run to the other side before the parachute comes down. For example: wearing a blue coat, trainers, brown hair, brown eyes, etc.
• Continue the process until in the end there is only one child that has not crossed under the parachute. This game can be played in the same way, but using characteristics of animals. For example, four legs, wings, fins, fur, big ears, etc.
  
  National Curriculum – KS1 and 2 outdoor activities directly linked to the curriculum. All LWT lessons are created to open up opportunities for children to learn outside the classroom.

This is a drop in activity. Age range - any. Group size up to 30. Activity duration - 30 minutes.

Visit their website: www.wildlondon.org.uk

National Farmers Union - Let's Talk Farming Roadshow

• Collect and Complete the Let’s Talk Farming activity booklet
• Milk Annabel the lifelike cow
• Various free gifts including salad leaf seeds and stickers

This is a drop in activity. Age range - any. Group size up to 30.

Visit their website: www.nfuonline.com and www.whyfarmingmatters.co.uk

The National Gamekeepers Organisation (NGO) Charitable Trust

The seasons of the keeper

Come to the NGO exhibit and meet the gamekeepers who will take you on an interactive walk through the seasons.

National Curriculum – Habitiat Management, Conservation, Food Chains and Food Webs.

This is a bookable activity. Age range any. Group size up to 30. Approximate duration of activity 40 minutes.

Visit their website: www.gamekeeperstrust.org.uk

Natural England

London's Rare Species - Focus on International Year of Biodiversity

Half hour workshop focusing on the International Year of Biodiversity, where children can learn about priority species in our city. Involves 2 make and take activities of crayfish and kingfishers; biodiversity top trumps, and colour and learn activity about rare creatures that live in the city.

This is a bookable activity. Age range any Group size up to 30. Approximate duration of activity 30 mins.

Visit their website: www.naturalengland.org.uk

OPAL (Open Air Laboratories)

OPAL Biodiversity Survey

What is the biodiversity of our environment like? Find out by looking for plants and wildlife in hedges.

This is a bookable activity. Age range Y5 and Y6. Group size up to 30. Approximate duration of activity 30 minutes.

Visit their website: www.opalexplorenature.org/

Otter

Meet the otters

Come and meet two very tame otters and learn about all 13 species of otter worldwide. Most people associate otters with water, but many do not know that 12 of the 13 species live in warm 'holts' on the river banks. They clean up a river by eating the slow and dying fish and also eat rats and mice.

After meeting the otters, try our otter quiz or colour in a picture of an otter.

This is a drop-in activity for any age range. Duration of activity is variable.

People's Trust for Endangered Species

Help a hedgehog

Join us to learn about how to help hedgehogs in your school grounds and gardens this autumn. Make a hog home, hog food hamper, enter our art competition and learn all about how these cute creatures survive the winter.

National Curriculum - Activities support a number of science units such as 2B- plants and animals in the local environment, 4B- habitats, 5B -life cycles, 6A- interdependence and adaptation, as well as elements of art and design.

This is a 15-30 minute drop-in activity for any age range. Group size up to 30.

Visit their website: www.ptes.org

Potato Council

Grow your own potatoes

Children attending the Potato Council promotional vehicle can learn about where their food comes from, how it grows and the potatoes part in a healthy balanced diet.

They will be able to plant a seed potato and take it home with instruction of how to plant it on and look after it at home.

The children will also be able to sample freshly cooked potatoes.

This is a drop in activity. Age range 5- 11 year olds KS1 and KS2. Group size up to 30. Approximate duration of activity 20 minutes.

Visit their website: www.potatoesforschools.org.uk

Royal Pigeon Racing Association

Pigeon Racing - the sport for all the family

Learn how to be a breeder, trainer, nutritionist, race manager and competitor, all with a little bit of geography, science and maths thrown in. Come and see the pigeons on the stand and watch some being released as part of the arena programme.

This is a drop-in activity for any age range.

Visit their website: www.rpra.org

Sheepdogs and geese

David Seamark is a sheep and arable farmer running a flock of 550 breeding ewes. As part of the arena programme, the display will demonstrate his skill in working up to five dogs with geese in a way that they would work 200-300 sheep back home on the farm. You will see the true partnership of dog and man together with the great ability and trust that each has for one another when working in the practical environment. Also come and meet the dogs on the stand.

This is a drop-in activity for any age range.

The Sheep Show

Come and meet Nobby the Norfolk Horn, Belinda the Blue-faced Leicester and many more breeds of sheep in the highly entertaining and educational Sheep Show. There will also be a sheep shearing demonstration.

This 30 minute show will be performed 4 times a day at:

10.15am-10.45am
11.30am - 12.00 noon
12.45pm - 1.15pm
2.00pm - 2.30pm

Visit their website: www.thesheepshow.co.uk

St. Clement Veterinary Clinics

Come and meet the ferrets and dog and learn about a variety of birds of prey and falconry’s role in the countryside.

This is a drop in activity for any age range.

Visit their website: www.stclementvets.co.uk

Sun Jester Consultancy

Fire & Light

An introduction to the use and techniques of making fire from heating, cooking and lighting prior to the introduction of matches and electricity. Make a simple beeswax candle to take away.

This is a bookable activity. Age range - any. Group size up to 30. Approximate duration of activities 20 minutes.

Funky Vikings

Construct your own simple template based on a Viking design and use it to make a woollen braid like a friendship band. A proven addictive activity for all ages and genders!

This is a bookable activity. Age range - 7+. Group size up to 30. Approximate duration of activities 20 minutes.

Visit their website: http://sun-jester.website.orange.co.uk

Treewright

Bodger - Pole Lathe Turning and Green Woodwork Demonstration

Through the bodging process of splitting, chopping, shaving and turning, we will be transforming logs into useful wooden items. A full range of our products will be an interactive display for all.

This is a drop-in activity for any age range.

Visit their website:www.treewright.co.uk

Willowpool Designs

Willow Weaving

Children will have an opportunity to weave a willow fish. They will be supplied with a willow fish “frame” and will be shown how to create a “weaver” fish using basic weaving techniques. This experience will enable all participants to learn how flexible and enjoyable weaving can be! As this is only a taster session the aim of this short workshop is to allow children to have a genuine hands-on-experience. Children will take away the skills to finish their fish at home or at school and be encouraged to use other natural or weaveable materials.

This is a bookable activity. Age range - 7+. Group size up to 30. Approximate duration of activity 15 minutes.

Visit their website:www.willowpooldesigns.co.uk

Willow Weaving with Underwoodsman Ltd

Willow Star

Weave a willow star with willow rods using traditional techniques. While weaving, find out about willow and basket making, and the background to this ancient craft.

This is a bookable activity. Age range - 7+. Group size up to 30. Approximate duration of activity 30 minutes.

Visit their website:www.underwoodsman.co.uk