Sunday 23rd November 2008 - In Celebration of Trees .. and Hedges. A settling of snow first thing in the morning may have changed some minds but those venturing out were amply rewarded and occupied! Information was available about tree planting and we are grateful to David Spicer of ARKLEY COTTAGE NURSERY for providing useful information about hedge planting - an alternative to high maintenance fencing, why not create a hedge on your boundary with many environmental benefits? David is always happy to help advice if you call in at the Nursery. We were thrilled that the North West London RSPB stall team were not put off by the weather. Visitors were able to create their own bird cakes with guidance from experts. (Did you know that you should not hang fat balls in those little nylon bags as some birds claws can get caught by the nylon?) Our WATCH leaders and volunteers helped our younger visitors in several Tree Dressing activities. The homemade soups proved very popular yet again. A lovely event - do try and come along next year!!!

Monday 27th October 2008 - Art at the Countryside Centre In half term week and as part of the national campaign celebrating drawing - The Big Draw - this afternoon set aside for family participation. A local art teacher is organised an afternoon of drawing activities celebrating nature. Our artists were drawing or colouring in birds and butterflies to display on our mural web. At the other end of the classroom leaves and bugs were created as a frame for our drawing display area. It was lovely to see so many children enjoying their art activities that will be there to see at our next public event.

Sunday 5th October 2008 - Open Afternoon We were delighted that so many people supported this event despite the weather! Many members of London Wildlife Trust visited as well as many from Central Office. Our Watch leaders also helped our younger visitors to plant snowdrop bulbs.

Sunday 20th July 2008 - Butterfly Walk led by Andrew Middleton of Herts & Middlesex Butterfly Conservation.

We opened during the afternoon for picnics followed by a Butterfly Walk at 3 pm. We got quite close to this beautiful gatekeeper butterfly. Although not many took advantage of the picnic time, 19 of us were spellbound as Andrew Middleton, of the Herts & Middlesex Butterfly Conservation group, walked around our reserve sharing his extensive knowledge not only of the butterflies that we saw but of most other things natural that we came across. We were lucky enough to witness a Southern Hawker Dragonfly as it metamorphosized from its nymph stage. Our butterfly count was slightly lower that last year but the weather was not favourable. Gatekeepers were plenty on the knapweed and we observed a Comma at just the same patch of bramble as last year. We also found Meadow Browns, 6 Spot Narrow bordered burnet, Small Skipper, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral. Andrew had set up moth trap the previous evening and we able to see at close quarters (night flying moths are fairly static during the day) Brimstone Moth, Dark Arches Moth, Heart and Dart, Scalloped Oak, Yellow Footman, Plume Moth and Old Lady Moth. We are very grateful to Andrew for his enthusiasm and expertise and advice about management. If you are interested in finding out more about what the group is involved with please have a look at their website by clicking on "Herts & Middlesex Butterfly Conservation Group" above.

The Environment Fair was held on 8th June 2008, organised by the Barnet Enviromental Network as part of London Sustainability Weeks.

Sunday June 8th 2008 - Environment Fair - Better Spaces, Better London, Better Planet. An afternoon organised with the Barnet Environmental Network during the LoveLondon Sustainabilities Weeks.

Saturday 10th May 2008 - We welcomed Barnet Society to the Centre.

Sunday 27th April 2008 - Dawn Chorus Walk. Robert Husband (NW London RSPB) led us around the reserve and noted a record 35 different bird songs. We also noted 111 starlings gathered on Christ Church fields.

Sunday 16th March 2008 – Spring Event. Despite the wind and rain we welcomed nearly 100 visitors, keen to exchange surplus seeds, find out about composting and wildlife gardening. The children braved the elements to take part in our Scavenger Hunt, returning with varied "special somethings" that they had found. They also made pots out of newspaper into which they planted seeds. For the less hardy, the Friends had a powerpoint display of archive photos as well as current shots giving a virtual tour of the site on a sunnier day!

Also, we have our Green Man plaque - made by the children who attended our Green Man event in October - on the wall to welcome our visitors! This was his first event!!

Friday 2nd February 2008 Quiz Night
Thank you to all who supported this frustratingly challenging Quiz Night, skilfully devised and run by Dave. Hopefully all enjoyed the evening which looks to have raised about £500 which will support the events for the community and local children that we organise at the Centre.