Talks & discussions

Following the recent snow, blossom is blooming on the blackthorn (pictured) and woodland flowers, including opposite-leaved golden saxifrage, are pushing through last year’s leaf litter.

It’s a great time to get out and enjoy the countryside as we transition from winter to spring. The birdsong is increasing daily and Ranger Martin heard his first chiffchaff of the year only yesterday. This species is one of the first migrant species to reach our shores, from the Mediterranean and Africa, and they are now singing loudly to set up their breeding territories.

The Rangers Service event programme begins in earnest this month, with Easter holiday events / clubs some great wildlife themed walks and more!

Scroll right to the bottom of the email to see all of this month’s events and get your tickets booked ASAP so you don’t miss out!

Saturday, 1st April to Sunday, 16th April – Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve Easter Hunt

Ranger Mark’s Easter Eggs have been stolen! Can you help him find the wildlife that has taken them and collect their names? Pick up a map from near the visitor centre and get searching around the park.

Time: Maps available to collect between 9.00am to 4.00pm between the 1st of April and 16th April

Meeting point: Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve Visitor Centre, Davenport Lane, Brereton, Congleton, CW12 4SU (SJ794653)

Leaders: Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Service

Information: 01477 534115

(Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Car parking charge / Healthy Walk – Event)

Saturday, 1st April to Sunday, 16th April – Tegg’s Nose Country Park Easter Hunt

Ranger Martin’s Easter Eggs have been stolen! Can you help him find the wildlife that has taken them and collect their names? Buy a map from the Tegg’s Nose Tea Room for 50p and get searching around the top of the park.

Each map purchased entitles you to a 50p discount off one hot drink from Tegg’s Nose Tea Room following completion of the trail.

Please bring a pen / pencil with you and 50p in cash for the map.

Time: Maps available to purchase between 9.00am to 4.00pm between the 1st of April and 16th April

Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Tea Room, Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733)

Leaders: Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Service & Tegg’s Nose Tea Room

Information: 01625 374833

(Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Car parking charge / Healthy Walk – Event / Partnership event)

Sunday, 2nd April – The Birdlife of Astbury Mere – April

Join local birder Mark Stubbs for an early morning walk around Astbury Mere to see the extensive birdlife that thrives in the park.

Booking and payment in advance essential. Suitable for anyone over the age of 8. Adults £5, children 16 or under go free.

Time: 7.00am to 9.00am
Meeting point: Astbury Mere Country Park car park off Sandy Lane, Congleton CW12 4FR
Leader: Local birder, Mark Stubbs
Information: 01260 297237
(Bring binoculars if you have them / Car parking charge / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Easy walking grade / Full accessibility – level or ramped access. Accessible toilets available / Healthy walk – Event / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Partnership event / Places limited – please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event / Wildlife walk – Event)

Tuesday, 4 April 2023 to Friday, 7 April 2023 – Moorland Adventure Easter Kids Activity Club – Week 1

A great way to experience some varied exciting activities in the countryside with local experts Moorland Adventure! Based at Tegg’s Nose Country Park, each day focuses on different activities, and it will give you a taste of adventure! Suitable for anyone between the ages of 8 and 16. Booking and payment in advance is essential.

Day 1 – Monday 3rd April – Archery and Orienteering at Tegg’s Nose
Day 2 – Tuesday 4th April – Climb and Scramble at the Roaches
Day 3 – Wednesday 5th April – Climb and Abseil at Tegg’s Nose
Day 4 – Thursday 6th April – Tree Climbing and Bushcraft at Tegg’s Nose

Cost £38.50 per day or sign up for all 4 days for a reduced price of £165.

Activities run from 9.00am to 4.00pm but to allow for maximum flexibility, you can drop off your child from 8.30am and collect at any time between 4.00pm and 5.00pm.

Please bring a packed lunch and drinks with you each day or you can purchase a packed lunch option (including sandwich, drink and snack) from Tegg’s Nose Tea Room on days 1, 3 and 4. Breakfast and afternoon snacks are also available to purchase from the Tea Room before and after the activity club sessions on days 1, 3 and 4.

Time: 8.30am to 5.00pm on each day
Days 1, 3 and 4 Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733)
Day 2 Meeting point: The Roaches, Roach Road, Near Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8UB (SK00416212)
Leaders: Moorland Adventure
Information: 01625 573615
(Bring a packed lunch / Car parking charge / Healthy walk – Event / Partnership event / Places limited – please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)

Tuesday, 4th April – Outdoor Fitness Class at Astbury Mere Country Park

Are looking for a fitness class during the week that’s outside and you can bring your child?

Open to everyone even if you are wanting to add extra training to your week or wanting to get fit after having a child in a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. No matter what fitness level you are the class can be tailored to suit all abilities.

The sessions vary each week depending on numbers and the weather. They can include full body toning, cardio sessions, core work and flexibility.

Suitable for anyone over the age of 18. No booking necessary, just turn up and pay as you go £6 per person.

This event repeats every Tuesday morning of the month.

Time: 10.00am to 11.00am
Meeting point: Astbury Mere Country Park, Sandy Lane, Congleton, CW12 4FR (SJ846627)
Leader: Personal Trainer Kelly Morley
Information: 07803 245590 or email Kelly Morley
(Car parking charge / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Healthy walk – Event / Partnership event / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)

Thursday, 6 April 2023 – Plein Air Painting Workshop: Tone & Contour

If you want to get out of the studio and paint outdoors this series of workshops with Christopher Clements and Kieran Ingram will guide you through some of the key things you need to know. Each workshop focuses on a different fundamental of painting the landscape.

In April’s workshop you’ll look at how you can use line and tone to describe the form of the land.

Looking at the relationship between the big features of the landscape and the light source makes it much easier to simplify what you’re looking at. This will help you put the smaller features and forms into context, creating a cohesive unity in your painting.

You’ll also look at linear perspective which helps get the relationship between you and the scene right, adding dynamism to your work.

• Linear Perspective
• Form of the Landscape
• Tonal Value

Booking and payment in advance essential. Cost £80.

Time: 10.00am to 3.30pm
Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP
Leaders: Artists Chris Clements and Kieran Ingram
Information: Email Northern Realist or visit the Northern Realist website
(Bring a packed lunch / Car parking charge / Easy walking grade / Partnership event / Places limited – please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)

Tuesday, 11 April 2023 to Friday, 14 April 2023 – Moorland Adventure Easter Kids Activity Club – Week 2

A great way to experience some varied exciting activities in the countryside with local experts Moorland Adventure! Based at Tegg’s Nose Country Park, each day focuses on different activities, and it will give you a taste of adventure! Suitable for anyone between the ages of 8 and 16. Booking and payment in advance is essential.

Day 1 – Tuesday 11rd April – Archery, Problem Solving and Orienteering at Tegg’s Nose
Day 2 – Wednesday 12th April – Climb and Scramble at the Roaches
Day 3 – Thursday 13th April – Climb and Abseil at Tegg’s Nose
Day 4 – Friday 14th April – Tree Climbing and Bushcraft at Tegg’s Nose

Cost £38.50 per day or sign up for all 4 days for a reduced price of £135.

Activities run from 9.00am to 4.00pm but to allow for maximum flexibility, you can drop off your child from 8.30am and collect at any time between 4.00pm and 5.00pm.

Please bring a packed lunch and drinks with you each day or you can purchase a packed lunch option (including sandwich, drink and snack) from Tegg’s Nose Tea Room on days 1, 3 and 4. Breakfast and afternoon snacks are also available to purchase from the Tea Room before and after the activity club sessions on days 1, 3 and 4.

Time: 8.30am to 5.00pm on each day
Days 1, 3 and 4 Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP (SJ950733)
Day 2 Meeting point: The Roaches, Roach Road, Near Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8UB (SK00416212)
Leaders: Moorland Adventure
Information: 01625 573615
(Bring a packed lunch / Car parking charge / Healthy walk – Event / Partnership event / Places limited – please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)

Saturday, 15 April 2023 – Tegg’s Nose Stargazing – April – SOLD OUT

If you’ve ever looked up at the starry night sky and been enthralled by what you’ve seen then join Macclesfield Astronomical Society for an evening of astronomy. There will be several general talks from members of MaccAstro, suitable for all levels of knowledge, followed by an opportunity to ask questions and, if the weather is clear, to observe the sky through the MaccAstro members’ telescopes.

You are welcome to bring your own binoculars or even telescopes. Booking and payment in advance is essential. Cost £5.

Observing highlights: If the weather is clear, there may be the opportunity to see Venus and Mars through a telescope, and the possibility of seeing galaxies, nebulae and star clusters which, along with the talks, will give more understanding about the night sky and how to observe it with your own eyes.

Time: 7.30pm to 10.30pm
Meeting point: Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP
Leaders: Macclesfield Astronomical Society
Information: 01625 374833
(Bring binoculars if you have them / Car parking charge / Children must be accompanied by an adult / Easy walking grade / Full accessibility – level or ramped access. Accessible toilets available / Ideal for families and accompanied children / Partnership event / Places limited – please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Refreshment stop, opportunity for refreshments / There is a charge for this event)

Tuesday, 18 April 2023 – Birdwatching – Understanding Spring Birds with Nature Stuff (Tuesdays)

Suitable for beginners, improvers and those wanting to learn more about bird identification, behaviour and conservation.

The course will visit different locations each week. As well as identification tips and field craft the course will cover topics such as bird habitats and adaptations. Sessions will examine the environmental issues facing local bird populations and how wildlife habitat management practice can address them – new topics and issues considered every session!

Enjoy getting out into local green spaces and understanding more about our wild birds. 2-hour sessions on the following Tuesday mornings – April 18th, 25th, May 2nd, 9th, 16th.

2 hour sessions on Tuesday mornings 10.00am – 12.00pm noon

Full Course fee (5 sessions) – £70. Fee to be paid in full at the start of the course.

(Please note a minimum number of enrolments are required for the course to run. In the event of course cancellation full refunds will be given).

For more information please call Tina Hanak 07870804413

Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm
First Session April 18th: Teggsnose Reservoir car park, Holehouse Lane, Langley, SK11 0NB (SJ945718)
Leaders: Nature Stuff – environmental educators
Information: 07870804413
(Bring binoculars if you have them / Partnership event / Places limited – please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event / Wildlife walk – Event)

Wednesday, 19 April 2023 – Birdwatching – Understanding Spring Birds with Nature Stuff (Wednesdays)

Suitable for beginners, improvers and those wanting to learn more about bird identification, behaviour and conservation.

The course will visit different locations each week. As well as identification tips and field craft the course will cover topics such as bird habitats and adaptations. Sessions will examine the environmental issues facing local bird populations and how wildlife habitat management practice can address them – new topics and issues considered every session!

Enjoy getting out into local green spaces and understanding more about our wild birds. 2-hour sessions on the following Wednesday mornings – April 19th, 26th, May 3rd, 10th, 17th.

2 hour sessions on Wednesday mornings 10.00am – 12.00pm noon

Full Course fee (5 sessions) – £70. Fee to be paid in full at the start of the course.

(Please note a minimum number of enrolments are required for the course to run. In the event of course cancellation full refunds will be given).

For more information please call Tina Hanak 07870804413

Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm
First Session April 19th: Teggsnose Reservoir car park, Holehouse Lane, Langley, SK11 0NB (SJ945718)
Leaders: Nature Stuff – environmental educators
Information: 07870804413
(Bring binoculars if you have them / Partnership event / Places limited – please book in advance / Please leave your dog at home / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / There is a charge for this event / Wildlife walk – Event)

Tuesday, 25 April 2023 – A Feast of Flowers

Spring has arrived at last so come along for a morning walk and enjoy seeing and talking about the spring wildflowers on the Biddulph Valley Way and Dane-in-Shaw Pasture Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Booking in advance essential. Please book your places by the 23rd of April.

Time: 10.00am to 1.00pm
Meeting point: Henshall Hall Drive (park on road just before canal), Congleton, CW12 3TA (SJ876622)
Leader: Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Cal Sherratt
Information: 01477 534115
(Children must be accompanied by an adult / Moderate walking grade / Places limited – please book in advance / Please wear suitable boots and clothing / Wildlife walk – Event)