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Join us for a summer fete with stalls and guided walks around the woods. We will be situated on the green at the entrance to the woods, near the junction of Dane Valley Road and Kent Road. Look out for the large gazebo!
Saturday 16 August, from 10am til 2pm. See you there!
Our Annual General Meeting is taking place on Monday 21 July, 7pm at Taddy’s Barn, East Northdown Farm Nursery, George Hill Road, Margate. On the agenda is the following:
1) Purpose of AGM
2) Presentation by Kashmir Flint – “Tiny Terrors – The Dark Side Of Kent’s Wildlife”
3) Minutes of the last AGM (8 July 2013)
4) Chair’s Report (Steve Darling)
5) Treasurer’s Report (Michaela Flint)
6) Dane Valley Elders
The steering group has the discretion to nominate persons for this award, having been deemed to have made a significant contribution to the project.
7) Amendments to Constitution
8) Any Other Business
Requests to be received by the Chair or Secretary at least 7 days prior to the AGM.
9) Election of Steering Group
Nominations to be received by the Chair or Secretary at least 7 days prior to the AGM. At present, six people are on the Steering Group: Steve Darling, Kashmir Flint, Michaela Flint, Carol Davenport, Paul Harrison, and Evie Bünte.
In respect of Items 6, 8 and 9, you can contact Dane Valley Woods via the Contact Form on this website.
All members of the community are welcome to attend, whether or not they wish to be considered for the Steering Group. Come along and find out more about us!
A morning of tasks keeping the woodland in tip top condition. The trees need our help to help them to survive, we will clear back growth from the fledgling saplings, and then mulch them with woodchip from our stockpile. There are over 4,000 young trees in the woods, so plenty of helping hands are needed! We also maintain a network of paths to improve access to the woods, which local people have told us they enjoy using.
We meet 10am at the Dane Valley Woods HQ in Dane Valley allotments at the end of St Peters Footpath, or you can find us in the woods. Follow the Google Maps link on the right. We are easy to spot in our hi-viz yellow jackets!
There is no need to book – we provide all tools and safety equipment, but please wear a sturdy pair of shoes and come dressed for the weather.
All ages welcome, under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. Hot drink refreshments are provided at the end of the morning for all hard working volunteers.
A morning of tasks keeping the woodland in tip top condition. The spring undergrowth is well under way, so we will be clearing this back from the trees to help them to survive, and then mulching them with woodchip from our stockpile. We also maintain a network of paths to improve access to the woods.
We meet 10am at the Dane Valley Woods HQ in Dane Valley allotments at the end of St Peters Footpath, or you can find us in the woods. Follow the Google Maps link on the right. We are easy to spot in our hi-viz yellow jackets!
There is no need to book – we provide all tools and safety equipment, but please wear a sturdy pair of shoes and come dressed for the weather.
All ages welcome, under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. Hot drink refreshments are provided at the end of the morning for all hard working volunteers.
A morning of tasks keeping the woodland in tip top condition. The spring undergrowth is well under way, so we will be clearing this back from the trees to help them to survive, and then mulching them with woodchip from our stockpile. We also maintain a network of paths to improve access to the woods.
We meet 10am at the Dane Valley Woods HQ in Dane Valley allotments at the end of St Peters Footpath, or you can find us in the woods. Follow the Google Maps link on the right. We are easy to spot in our hi-viz yellow jackets!
There is no need to book – we provide all tools and safety equipment, but please wear a sturdy pair of shoes and come dressed for the weather.
All ages welcome, under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. Hot drink refreshments are provided at the end of the morning for all hard working volunteers.
Teams of up to six are welcome to participate in The DVW Quiz, to help raise funds for the Woods. Limited space, so book in advance via www.danevalleywoods.org/contact or our Facebook and Twitter feeds
£5 a head, this includes quiz admission and cheese and biscuits. Bring your own drink, although some wine will be available to purchase on the night. The venue is Taddy’s Barn, East Northdown Farm Nursery, George Hill Road, Margate, Kent, United Kingdom, CT9 3TS – see venue location via this link.
Also on the night will be a raffle and a heads and tails game. Arrive 7pm for 7.30pm start.
We hope to see you there!
It’s our final tree planting event of the current winter season….. so your last chance to help create the future legacy of a community woodland for Margate!
We have been allocated more trees by The Big Tree Plant scheme. We have hundreds, so loads of willing helpers are required, to help us to get them in the ground before the end of the morning…. a race against time!
We meet 10am at the Dane Valley Woods HQ in Dane Valley allotments at the end of St Peters Footpath, or you can come directly to the proposed tree planting area through the morning – follow this link – we’ll be near the green arrow. We are easy to spot in our hi-viz yellow jackets!
There is no need to book – we provide all tools and safety equipment, but please wear a sturdy pair of shoes and come dressed for the weather.
All ages welcome, under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. Hot drink refreshments are provided at the end of the morning for all hard working volunteers.
Snake’s head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) is a British flower which has become nationally scarce. The snake’s head fritillary is commonly found on meadows, explaining its population reduction due to habitat conversion of wildflower meadows into arable land or grassland for grazing. During our 10th year anniversary in 2013, Dane Valley Woods planted these bulbs and other native wildflowers in the hope to increase the diversity of flora within the woodlands and within a few months, they had flowered. We are hoping to see many popping up this year!
Snake’s head fritillaries are easily identifiable in spring by their bell shaped, drooping flowers and chequered patterns, often in purple, pink and occasionally white. Its scientific name Fritillaria comes from the Latin word for ‘dice box’, referencing the chequered patterns which make the flower so unique with meleagris translating to ‘spotted like a guinea fowl’. In folklore it is said that the flowers droop because they witnessed Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and hung their heads in sorrow.
The flowers of the snake’s head fritillaries are pollinated by insects, particularly bees, however, the flowers are hermaphrodites so the plant can self-fertilise to produce a clone of itself.
Did you know? Work at Kew has uncovered that Fritillaria meleagris has 15 time mores DNA than humans have and if its genomes were unravelled it would stretch 30 metres.
The DVW crew will be in the foyer at ASDA Broadstairs on Sunday 16 March
We will be promoting the project, seeking to increase awareness of what we are all about, and signing up new members. We will also be using our best persuasive powers, to encourage shoppers to put their #GreenTokens into our charity box in the store, as we go up against two other very worthy local causes throughout March and April. Come along, say hello, and vote for trees!
As well as our monthly morning of tasks keeping the woodland in tip top condition – mulching trees and clearing back growth to help them to survive – we have just been allocated more trees by The Big Tree Plant scheme. Lots of willing helpers are welcomed, to help us to get them in the ground before the end of the current winter planting season…. a race against time!
We meet 10am at the Dane Valley Woods HQ in Dane Valley allotments at the end of St Peters Footpath, or you can find us in the woods. Follow the Google Maps link on the right. We are easy to spot in our hi-viz yellow jackets!
There is no need to book – we provide all tools and safety equipment, but please wear a sturdy pair of shoes and come dressed for the weather.
All ages welcome, under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. Hot drink refreshments are provided at the end of the morning for all hard working volunteers.
The United Kingdom is home to six types of reptile, and one of these scaly friends is found abundantly in Dane Valley Woods. The common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) is found across most of the country and Dane Valley Woods is ideal habitat for it to thrive.
The common lizard has a great variation in colour but tends to be brownish with spotted and striped patterns, although different colour morphs exist, such as the rare plain morph which has been spotted in the Woods! Common lizards may also be melanistic, which means completely black (but melanistic adults are not to be confused with new-born common lizards which are also totally black).
Common lizards are sexually dimorphic meaning males and females look different. A male lizard tends to be ‘spotty’ whilst a female tends to be more ‘stripey’. The sex can be more easily distinguished by their bellies as males have bright orange or yellow bellies covered with black spots, whereas females have plain grey or yellowish bellies with no spots.
Common lizards are also known as viviparous lizards, which means they give birth to live young, unlike many other species of reptile which lay eggs. However, interestingly, populations in warmer climates actually lay eggs and these populations tend not to interbreed successfully with live young laying lizards. A female may give birth from 3 to 11 offspring which are born black with no markings.
The juvenile lizards as well as adult lizards are important prey species, as you may have read in our Kestrel blog, however, they are not easy prey to catch. Reptiles are ‘cold blooded’ so use the sun to warm themselves up and become active, so on hot days common lizards are extremely fast and nimble and catching a sight of them becomes difficult. Common lizards are also competent swimmers and may use this as a means of escaping. However, in extreme cases, a lizard may also shed its tail to escape. The tail remains wriggling to distract the predator, giving the lizard a chance to get to safety.
Whilst this species is widespread, studies have suggested a decline in its numbers and it has recently been added to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, it is also protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.
To read up about this species and other reptiles, visit Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group.
A morning of tasks keeping the woodland in tip top condition. These can include mulching trees and clearing back growth to help them to survive, plus maintaining and creating a network of paths to improve access to the woods.
We meet 10am at the Dane Valley Woods HQ in Dane Valley allotments at the end of St Peters Footpath, or you can find us in the woods. Follow the Google Maps link on the right. We are easy to spot in our hi-viz yellow jackets!
There is no need to book – we provide all tools and safety equipment, but please wear a sturdy pair of shoes and come dressed for the weather.
All ages welcome, under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. Hot drink refreshments are provided at the end of the morning for all hard working volunteers.
Our annual tree planting event is coming up, and following feedback from our Summer Open Day, we are creating a memorial garden to plant trees for loved ones. The tree plant will be on Sunday 1st December from 10am-1pm. This is a free event and everyone is welcome to join us, with under-16s accompanied by an adult. We provide all the tools needed as well as refreshments, just come dressed for muddy conditions. You can find us at the front edge of our site, alongside Dane Valley Road.
We intend to plant 420 blossoming and year-round colour trees such as wild cherry, silver birch and dogwood, generously provided to us by the Woodland Trust. We would be very pleased to welcome you to come and plant a lasting memory for a loved one that will one day benefit our future generations. You can even bring along and tie ribbons and bows to branches, to identify your tree throughout the year.
We will also be having a task day dedicated to preparing the site on Sunday 24th November between 10am-1pm. Again, help is welcomed to clear space for these trees. We will provide all the tools needed and a hot cup of tea or coffee to all our hard workers.
A council mini-digger will be undertaking some initial clearance work for us, on the front edge of our site facing the local shops, and this will take place during the week commencing Monday 18 November 2013 (weather permitting)
To find out more, or to check that the events are going ahead in adverse weather, contact us through this website – you can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.
Dane Valley Woods’ tree planting is coming up and this year we’re creating a memorial garden to plant trees for loved ones. The tree plant will be happening on Sunday 1st December from 10-1pm. Everyone is welcome to join us, with under 16s accompanied by an adult. We will provide all the tools needed as well as refreshments. You can find us in the woods, at the front edge of our site in Dane Valley Road (opposite the chip shop and hairdressers).
This year we are creating a memorial garden with 420 blossoming and year-round colour trees such as wild cherry, silver birch and dogwood, generously provided by the Woodland Trust. So come and plant a lasting memory for a loved one that will one day benefit our future generations. You can even tie ribbons and bows to branches to identify your tree throughout the year. We will also be having a task day dedicated to preparing the site on Sunday 24th November from 10-1pm, and need all the help we can get to clear space for these trees.
As usual, we will provide all the tools needed and a hot cup of tea or coffee to all our hard workers. To find out more, contact us through this website or chat with us on Twitter and Facebook.
Dane Valley Woods’ tree planting is coming up on 1 December, and this year we’re creating a memorial garden to plant trees for loved ones.
We will be having a task day dedicated to preparing the site on Sunday 24th November from 10-1pm. We will be planting over 400 trees this Winter so need all the help we can get to clear space for these trees. Everyone is welcome to join us, with under 16s accompanied by an adult. We will provide all the tools needed as well as refreshments. You can find us in the woods, at the front edge of our site in Dane Valley Road (opposite the chip shop and hairdressers). To find out more, contact us through this website or chat with us on Twitter and Facebook.
The field vole (Microtus agrestis) is one of the three species of vole found across the United Kingdom. It is the most common species of the three and it plays a vital link in the food chain.
Field voles can be difficult to distinguish from the bank vole as they are very similar in appearance but field voles tend to have darker and longer fur, smaller ears and shorter tails. Voles can be more easily distinguished from mice by their less prominent eyes and ears as well as having blunter noses. Field voles can be very aggressive creatures and the males can be heard squeaking as they fight over their territories.
The field vole is predated on by several species such as kestrels, barn owls, foxes, stoats and snakes. It is thought that between 40-80% of a barn owl’s diet is made up of field voles showing their importance in the ecosystem.
As a vole travels, it marks its runways with urine to warn off other voles, however these urine tracks can radiate ultraviolet light which can be detected by birds of prey, therefore leaving a trial for the birds to trace.
As a rodent, field voles have high reproductive rates; females may have up to 7 litters of between 4 to 6 young a year. Rarely, field voles can reach plague proportions with up to 500 individuals per acre. Despite this, it is thought that the field voles numbers are decreasing and although they are common across the country, their roles in the food chain makes them important species to protect.
A morning of tasks keeping the woodland in tip top condition. This month we will be mulching trees and clearing back growth to help them to survive, plus maintaining and creating a network of paths to improve access to the woods.
We meet at the Dane Valley Woods HQ in Dane Valley allotments at the end of St Peters Footpath or find us in the woods. Follow the Google Maps link on the right. We are easy to spot in our hi-viz yellow jackets!
Remember that the clocks go back one hour!
There is no need to book – we provide all tools and safety equipment, but please wear a sturdy pair of shoes and come dressed for the weather.
All ages welcome, under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments are provided at the end of the morning for all hard working volunteers.
Dane Valley Woods will have a stall at the Thanet Fairtrade Initiative’s World Food Day, at the Winter Gardens, Margate. Come and see us to find out more about the woods, as well as to enjoy all the other attractions. We look forward to seeing you there!
The common darter (Sympetrum striolatum) is a striking summer and autumnal species. The males have blood red or fiery orange colourings whereas the females tend to be more yellow or brown. In both sexes however, their main characteristic is their black legs with a contrasting yellow stripe along the length. This dragonfly is a very common and abundant species across much of Europe and can be found away from water sources, as well as close to them.
The species gets its name from its hunting behavouir. The common darter will often be found poised on a plant or post where it will wait until an unsuspecting insect will fly past and the dragonfly will ‘dart’ after it, catching it in flight.
Due to their predatory lifestyle, draongflies are extremely agile and powerful fliers. They are capable of flying backwards, straight up and down, as well as manouerving tight rotations when hunting. This is due to their wings being able to move independetly of each other, unlike many other insects which beat in syncronisation.
Common darter females do not actually lay eggs into the water like many other species of dragonfly do. Instead she sharply flicks her abdonmen which causes the eggs to fall into the water as she flies over and they sink into the sediment below. The egg will hatch into a fericious aquatic nymph which may take up to 5 years to emerge and metamorphasise into an adult common darter.
This fuzzy copper caterpillar is the larvae to the ruby tiger moth (Phragmatobia fuliginosa). It is the most common of our tiger moths and can be found across the whole United Kingdom, with its numbers having thought to have increased threefold in the past 35 years. It tends to be found in grassland areas or open woodland, so Dane Valley Woods is a perfect habitat for it to thrive.
The ruby tiger moth gets its name from its adult colouration. The ruby tiger moth has pinkish wings with a brown head and pink thorax with black spots and an orange and black striped abdomen. The name is more fitting for the populations in the south of England, as the individuals tend to become a duller brown or grey colour further north into Scotland.
The moth flies most commonly flies at night but can be seen during the day and due to it sometimes striking colouration, it can be mistaken for a butterfly. It overwinters as a larvae, and the natural chemicals in the caterpillar’s body prevents it from freezing and allows it to become inactive and emerge in the warmer weather to feast on its favourite plants such as heather, dock and dandelions.
Look for the adults in flight from April to June, and again in August to September; or the hairy caterpillars from June to April.
A morning of tasks keeping the woodland in tip top condition. This month we will be mulching trees and clearing back growth to help them to survive, plus maintaining and creating a network of paths to improve access to the woods.
Also on offer this month is an introductory guided tour of the woods – starting 10.30am from opposite the chip shop in Dane Valley Road
We meet at the Dane Valley Woods HQ in Dane Valley allotments at the end of St Peters Footpath or find us in the woods. We are easy to spot in our hi-viz yellow jackets!
There is no need to book – we provide all tools and safety equipment, but please wear a sturdy pair of shoes and come dressed for the weather.
All ages welcome, under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments are provided at the end of the morning for all hard working volunteers.
All are welcome for a visit by the Thanet Astronomical Society, who will be giving a talk, followed by a star gazing session (weather permitting). Equipment will be available, but please feel free to bring your own. Hopefully the clouds will stay away, and we can all take advantage of the lack of nearby street lights for a clear sight of the Perseids meteor shower, stars and planets.
Remember to bring a red torch or cycle light, as white light is not good for when your eyes are adjusting to the dark! Look out for our gazebo which you should be able to see from the Dane Valley Road / Kent Road junction.
The Astronomy Night is preceded earlier in the day by our Summer Open Day
The whole community is welcome to come and visit the woods for our Summer Open Day, from 2-5pm. The confirmed attractions so far are as follows:-
– Information stalls for Dane Valley Woods (DVW), the Isle of Thanet Archaeological Society (IoTAS), the RSPB, and the Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group (KRAG).
– Walks and talks by DVW, RSPB and KRAG.
– Refreshment stall – tea, coffee, cold drinks and cake.
– Sponsor a Tree.
– A variety of stalls: confirmed so far – Nethergong nurseries (veg box scheme and summer fruit); Little Brown Fairy Cake (cupcakes and birthday cakes); The Happy Hooker (crochet crafts); Timeless Classics (clocks, watches); Broadstairs Honey; Glitter Fairy (face painting); Keyrings; Jewellry; Bric-a-brac.
Look out for our gazebo, which you should be able to spot from the Dane Valley Road / Kent Road junction.
The Summer Open Day will be followed later between 8-10pm by an Astronomy Night. This features a talk by the Thanet Astronomical Society, followed by star gazing on the occasion of one of the year’s best meteor showers (subject to the absence of clouds, of course!)
A morning of tasks keeping the woodland in tip top condition. This month we will be mulching trees and clearing back growth to help them to survive, plus maintaining and creating a network of paths to improve access to the woods.
We meet at the Dane Valley Woods HQ in Dane Valley allotments at the end of St Peters Footpath or find us in the woods. We are easy to spot in our hi-viz yellow jackets!
There is no need to book – we provide all tools and safety equipment, but please wear a sturdy pair of shoes and come dressed for the weather.
All ages welcome, under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments are provided at the end of the morning for all hard working volunteers.
Our AGM is taking place on Monday 8 July, 7pm @ Taddy’s Barn, East Northdown Farm Nursery, George Hill Road, Margate. On the agenda is the following:
1) Purpose of AGM
2) Minutes of the last AGM (14 June 2012)
3) Chair’s Report (Steve Darling)
4) Treasurer’s Report (Michaela Flint)
5) Dane Valley Elders
The steering group has the discretion to nominate persons for this award, having been deemed to have made a significant contribution to the project. This year, no new nominations were received.
6) Amendments to Constitution
Proposed new rule:
18. ATTENDANCE OF MEMBERS
Members elected to the Steering Group, either at the AGM under Rule 6, or by co-option under Rule 8, shall be expected to maintain regular attendance at Steering Group meetings and on-site task days. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive Steering Group meetings shall have been deemed to have resigned from the Steering Group by default; unless mitigating circumstances are commonly known, or if reasons are explained in writing to the Chair or Secretary in advance of the third meeting of absence; and that these reasons or mitigating circumstances are accepted by a majority vote of the remaining Steering Group members.
7) Any Other Business
No requests have been received.
8) Election of Steering Group
Six people have put themselves forward: Steve Darling, Kashmir Flint, Michaela Flint, Carol Davenport, Paul Harrison, and Evie Bünte.
All members of the community are welcome to attend, whether or not they wish to be considered for the Steering Group. Come along and find out more about us!
A morning of tasks keeping the woodland in tip top condition. This month we will be mulching trees and clearing back growth to help them to survive, plus maintaining and creating a network of paths to improve access to the woods.
We meet at the Dane Valley Woods HQ in Dane Valley allotments at the end of St Peters Footpath or find us in the woods. We are easy to spot in our hi-viz yellow jackets!
There is no need to book – we provide all tools and safety equipment, but please wear a sturdy pair of shoes and come dressed for the weather.
All ages welcome, under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments are provided at the end of the morning for all hard working volunteers.
A morning of tasks keeping the woodland in tip top condition. This month we will be mulching trees and clearing back growth to help them to survive, plus maintaining and creating a network of paths to improve access to the woods.
We meet at the Dane Valley Woods HQ in Dane Valley allotments at the end of St Peters Footpath or find us in the woods. We are easy to spot in our hi-viz yellow jackets!
There is no need to book – we provide all tools and safety equipment, but please wear a sturdy pair of shoes and come dressed for the weather.
All ages welcome, under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments are provided at the end of the morning for all hard working volunteers.
Flowers, flowers, everywhere…..
We are aiming to add a splash of colour to the woods over the next couple of years. Bulbs have already been planted, and we now want to create wildflower meadows, which will also encourage biodiversity and provide habitats for insects and other creatures that live in our woods.
We meet 10am at the Dane Valley Woods HQ in Dane Valley allotments at the end of St Peters Footpath, or come along and find us throughout the morning in the woods – we are easy to spot in our bright hi-vis jackets.
There is no need to book – we provide all tools and safety equipment, but please wear a sturdy pair of shoes and come dressed for the weather. All ages welcome, under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments are provided at the end of the morning for all hard working volunteers.
Dane Valley Woods are hosting a free Easter egg hunt for children on the 31st March from 10am.
The hunt will have a surprise twist based on British birds, so it’s a chance to have fun and get learning! One lucky child will win the grand prize, but all children participating will receive their very own prizes.
All under 16s will require an adult attending and refreshments will be provided.
Our regular task day will be running alongside the event for any adults wishing to attend. Our tasks will compose of general woodland maintenance and we will provide all necessary tools. You can spot us in our high-vis jackets in the woods and we will have a stall located at the top of the cycle path at the end of St Peter’s Footpath. Find us on Google Maps here http://g.co/maps/6c83t
Oh, and don’t forget that the clocks go forward…..
Following on from our successful 10th anniversary birthday party in January (over 400 trees planted!!), we are doing it all over again on Sunday 24 February. It’s the last planned tree planting event of the 2012/13 winter season, so come along and help us to get more in the ground and help the local environment.
We meet 10am at the Dane Valley Woods HQ in Dane Valley allotments at the end of St Peters Footpath, or come along and find us throughout the morning in the woods – we are easy to spot in our bright hi-vis jackets.
There is no need to book – we provide all tools and safety equipment, but please wear a sturdy pair of shoes and come dressed for the weather. All ages welcome, under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments are provided at the end of the morning for all hard working volunteers.