The February newsletter is now available here
and our March newsletter here

 The February newsletter is available here
Our March newsletter here

 

Welcome Aboard
2nd Whitchurch Beavers	2nd Whitchurch Beavers have been validated by Shropshire CU. Follow the link opposite for more details.  1 session – 1 CU Credit There additional credits available for camps and other activities!
Ball Sports Community Coaching	Ball Sports Community Coaching has been validated by Shropshire CU. Sessions are held across the county and further details. For sites near you please check their website Skills School- 1 Credit per session Summer Schools- 2 Credits per day
Big Mose Base Camp	Shropshire CU has validated Big Mose Base Camp at Dudmaston Estate. The base camp offers residential accommodation for schools and other groups has a fully equipped teaching room and hands on activities delivered by National Trust staff. Pre booked seasonal activities- 1 CU Credit per session Maximum of 3 Credits per day for residential visits
Carpe Diem Guitar Tuition	Carpe Diem Guitar Tuition, based in Bettisfield has now been validated. Acoustic, Electric and Rock guitar tuition are available. For details please see their website 1 Credit per session
Dudmaston Estate	The Dudmaston Estate National Trust property near Bridgnorth has been revalidated to offer more CU activities. Credits are available for the following activities: Visit Dudmaston Hall and Estate- 1 Credit Take part in seasonal art and craft activities and nature walks and trails- 1 CU Credit A maximum of two Credits available per visit.
Tonks Theatre Workshops (incorporating Market Drayton Youth Theatre)	Tonks Theatre  Workshops have been validated by Shropshire CU Market Drayton Youth Theatre- 1 Credit per session Theatre Workshops in school or at community venues can be pre booked. 1 credit per session 2 credits per half day session
Merabel  Zumbatomic	St Alkmunds Church Hall – 11.00 am to 12.00noon Saturdays, term time 1 Session- 1 Credit Contact :  meriel.edge@btinternet.com

Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

Easter holiday activities at IGMT

Enginuity

This Easter holiday discover more about how technology has been inspired by nature and the amazing ‘engineers’ found within it. Taking inspiration from the suction capabilities of the octopus you’ll be able to join in our fun drop-in workshops and design and create your very own ‘sticky critters’ from a range of paper and craft materials. Will the frog, gecko or octopus you create manage to stick to the shiny surfaces in the workshop? Drop-in 10.30- 3.45 every day Charges apply 1 CU credit per workshop

Coalport China Museum 

 Join in drop-in ceramic workshops with a ‘house & home’ theme this Easter holiday. On Mondays you can paint your own design on to a ceramic mug and on Tuesdays you can make an insect house for the bugs in your garden from terracotta clay. From Wednesday to Friday join in our workshops and model your own house out of stoneware clay. Workshops from 11-1pm and 2-4 pm Mon – Fri Charges apply. 1 CU credit per workshop

Jackfield Tile Museum

Let your creativity run wild at these fun flower-themed drop-in workshops. In an informal session you’ll learn the tile decorating technique known as ‘tube lining’ or ‘slip-trailing’, and by the end of the experience you’ll have produced a tile featuring your very own design in a range of beautiful colours. Workshops from 10-3.15 Tues –Fri Charges apply. 1 CU credit per workshop

 

Schools-Friday   March 22nd Families –Saturday 23rd March   10-4pm

Come and join Albot the Victorian Robot as he explores all the exciting Science & Technology around the site. 

Take part in Experiments, Activities, Talks, Demonstrations, and Competitions, in and around the domestic and industrial exhibits.  Some but not all of the extra activities are listed below.

            Looking at the Geology that provided the raw materials such as clay, coal, iron ore and seeing how they were accessed. Study rocks and minerals under digital microscopes and  try different sorting techniques and hopefully see black powder being made

• ·         Watch or take part in Industrial processes e.g. making iron, casting, blacksmithing, enamelling, Pole lathing, surveying (how steep is our hill?)

·         Work out the energy needed to move weights on land, on rails, on water. 

·         How did natural dyes and synthetic dyes compare? 

·         Try some unusual methods of moving information

·         Compare sources of energy e.g. horse power, steam power, compressed air and see working examples of steam and air powered engines   Find out how a Newcomen engine works. 

·         Help find out what is lurking in the depths of our canal

·         Build the biggest Cantilever structure you can

·         Help us make 1000 clay bricks as the Victorian Brick maker had to do each day (ours are much smaller)

We are inviting schools to put together a small team of students to compete in the Spaghetti Bridge Challenge.

2 CU credits when visiting Blists Hill Victorian Town on either day

 

Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Wildlife Action Awards

This fantastic scheme is all about encouraging and rewarding action taken for wildlife and nature.  Simple action such as feeding the birds in your garden, composting, recycling and involving others all count towards an award.  There are a total of 33 activities to choose from spread over four sections:

1.     Finding out what’s there

2.     Helping wildlife

3.     Being Environmentally Friendly

4.     Spread the word

For a Bronze award participants must complete six activities for each award level, one from each of the four sections plus two of their choice.  A total of eighteen activities will need to be completed to achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. 

Children’s University participants can also claim a total of 24 learning hours as they work their way through the scheme.  6 hours for a Bronze award, a further 8 hours for Silver and a further 10 for Gold.

Anyone can take part – individuals, groups, schools and home educators are just a few.   All the activities can be adapted to suit the learning need of an individual – and it’s fun!!  Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RSPBWildlifeActionAwards to see what everyone gets up to – they really are making a difference.

Ray and Bev Langton are established performers and are well known across the country for their work in the Folk Arts. Together they also deliver workshops for all ages in music, dance, song and crafts. They are proud to be validated providers for the Shropshire Children’s University and are available to take their activities into schools along with other settings such as arts centres and festivals.

 

They offer an unusual range of workshops such as their mini melodeons (up to 30 children at a time), Morris dancing, longsword dancing and also maypole dancing. Both are qualified teachers and well used to working with children of all ages.

As well as the workshops Ray is a fine performer and offers a family show – suitable for all – Professor Squeezyjig’s Songbook. A great way to round off a day of workshops!   

Schools often choose to book Ray Langton Music to enrich their creative curriculum by adding some wider opportunities where all pupils can succeed and achieve – and gain credits for their CU passport.

 For more information see www.raybevlangton.co.uk or phone us on 0779 408297.

 

Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre- Events 2013

 

Feb
	Feb 18 - 22	1- 2.30 pm	Green Energy A must for all budding scientists!  Test different renewable technologies and find out about living sustainably.	SHDC Suitable for 5-11 year olds FREE (children must bring a grown-up).  Booking advised on 01588 676060
Mar
	Fri 29 Mar	2 - 4.30pm	Easter Egg-stravaganza Join us for an afternoon of family fun, crafts and games including trails, Easter bonnets, bunny races and flying eggs.	SHDC Suitable for 3-11 year olds £4 per child to include refreshments (children must bring a grown-up) booking advised on 01588 676060
Apr
	April 1 - 12	1 - 2.30pm	Digging Archaeology What can you tell about individuals by what they throw away? Match pictures of Iron Age artefacts with what they looked like new.	SHDC Suitable for 5-11 year olds £3 per child (children must bring a grown-up).  Booking advised on 01588 676060
	Tue 2 April	10.30 - 11.30am	Toddle Time - Sowing Seeds, Growing Seeds Part of our weekly sessions exploring nature with your under 5s, whatever the weather!	SHDC £2 per child aged 18 months-5 yrs. with discount for siblings
May
	May 27 - 31	1 - 2.30pm	Felt making Create your own piece of fabric from natural fibre! Learn about the history of the material, then design and make your own.	SHDC Suitable for 3-11 year olds £3 per child (children must bring a grown-up).  Booking advised on 01588 676060
	Tues 28 May	10.30 - 11.30am	Toddle Time - Pond Dipping Part of our weekly sessions exploring nature with your under 5s, whatever the weather!	SHDC £2 per child aged 18 months-5 yrs. with discount for siblings
Jun
Jul
	Sat 20 July	10am – 4pm	Geology Extravaganza Guided walks and identification opportunities led by the Geological Society, Secret Stones GPS trail, activities for children.	SHDC Further details on 01588 676060
	Sun 21 July	1 - 3pm	Dragonflies for Beginners Join Sue McLamb of the British Dragonfly Society on a wonderful walk introducing absolute beginners to the fantastic world of dragonflies.	SHDC FREE Booking essential on 01588 676060
Aug
	Tue 6 Aug	10.30 - 11.30am	Toddle Time - The Very Hungry Caterpillar Part of our weekly sessions exploring nature with your under 5s, whatever the weather!	SHDC £2 per child aged 18 months-5 yrs. with discount for siblings
	24 - 26 July & 12 - 16 Aug	1 - 2.30pm	Animal Traces Calling all wildlife enthusiasts! Make plaster cast animal footprints and search for nibbles, footprints, homes and poo.	SHDC Suitable for 5-11 year olds £3 per child (children must bring a grown-up).  Booking advised on 01588 676060
	29 July- 2 Aug & 19 - 23 Aug	1 - 2.30pm	Witches, Stick Men and Monkeys Celebrate the imaginative world of Julia Donaldson.  Create your own Stick Man, solve some monkey puzzles and help a witch in distress.	SHDC Suitable for 3-11 year olds £3 per child (children must bring a grown-up).  Booking advised on 01588 676060
	5 - 9 Aug & 26 - 30 Aug	1 - 2.30pm	Meadow Art Go on a hunt for natural treasures around our meadows and capture what you find in an opaque willow frame.	SHDC Suitable for 3-11 year olds £3 per child (children must bring a grown-up).  Booking advised on 01588 676060
Sep
	Sat 7 & Sun 8 Sept	10am-4pm	Dog Weekend Events will include dog agility, first aid, sheep dog trails, dog yoga, tips on grooming and caring for your pet.	SHDC Adults £5, Concessions £3 (children under 8 with their dog go FREE)
Oct
	Sun 13 Oct	10.30am - 3pm	National Fungus Day Displays, information, identification and guided walks with the Shropshire Fungus Group.	SHDC FREE Booking advised for guided walks on 01588 676060
	28 Oct - 1 Nov	1 - 2.30pm	Hogweed's School of Magic An invitation for young witches and wizards to brush up on their disappearing, divination and potion making skills.	SHDC Suitable for 3-11 year olds £3 per child (children must bring a grown-up).  Booking advised on 01588 676060
	Tue 29 Oct	10.30 - 11.30am	Toddle Time - Hibernating Hedgehogs Part of our weekly sessions exploring nature with your under 5s, whatever the weather!	SHDC £2 per child aged 18 months-5 yrs. with discount for siblings
	Thurs 31 Oct	4 - 5.30pm	Spooks, Spells and Pumpkins Everyone'll love getting dressed up for this special Halloween event.	SHDC Suitable for 3-11 year olds £3 per child (children must bring a grown-up).  Booking advised on 01588 676060
Nov
Dec
	Sun 8 Dec	2- 4pm	Shopping and Santa Special We'll amuse your children while you browse our shop and relax with complimentary mulled wine. Meet Santa and receive a gift.	SHDC Suitable for 3-11 year olds £4 per child (children must bring a grown-up to meet Santa).  Booking advised on 01588 676060