The
2004 Family Open Day took place at the Broad Oak Nature Reserve on
the 20th June 2004. This event built on the 2003 Open Day offering
members of the public the chance to explore this hidden treasure at
no charge, unless they required parking. The whole proceedings were
opened by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury and the Lady Mayoress (herself
a former teacher and visitor to the site back in Tony Harman's day).
This
year we offered visitors the chance to walk freely around Kingfisher
Trail or pay for the privilege (50p) of a guided walk around Sunrise
Trail. Those who walked around Kingfisher Trail would have had the
good fortune of stumbling upon Shirley Thompson (Kent Bat Group) in
the Kingfisher Bird Hide, or the BTCV Compost Advisor at Sebastian's
Throne. During the course of the day the Kentish Stour Countryside
Project created fences adjacent to the lake as a demonstration of
the work their volunteers carry out.
The
central entertainment offered was music provided by The Viking Concert
Band (wind/brass band) and Wasp-juice. Both did sessions before the
heavens opened and they and everybody else were washed away.
Other
activites offered included face painting, pond bingo, refreshments,
an information stand and food provided by First Thanet Baden-Powell
Scouts (burgers), Canterbury Guides and a local ice-cream van.
The
Canterbury 'chapter' of the Millenium Volunteers assisted with the
wardening of the reserve, checking toilets and emptying litter bins.
A
total of 358 people visited, mostly before 1pm when it decided to
rain. This compares with over 600 last year when the weather was much
better. A free prize draw was drawn by Shirley Thompson with the winner
being Hazel Fitz-Andrews of Hill View Road, Canterbury (£10
book token). Runners ups prizes (£5) were won my Mr and Mrs
M. Harding of Broadstairs and Holly Gerdemau of Herne Bay.
If you are interested in becoming involved with the Broad Oak Friends,
then please contact Katherine Monk on 01227 452447 or email katherine.monk@kent.gov.uk
