Burrator Discovery Centre is 5 years old!

Come and join us in celebrating this milestone on Saturday 6 July, 12pm-4pm. Activities will include butterfly house construction, moth identification, Wembley walk wandering, cob oven pizza making, marshmallow toasting, butterfly feeder creating, butterfly trail finding, have a go at fly casting with Burrator Fly Fishers Association, plus fishing demonstrations, exhibitions on tin working, farming and the railway, and of course homemade tea and cake.

It will cost £3 per person, and all the money raised will go towards materials so our team of volunteers can build an easy access footpath along the lower lawn, to enable better access for wheelchair users and pushchairs. See you there!

Congratulations Ian! 

As a result of our Ian’s long term involvement with the Tavistock Student Rangers programme, PC Julian Fry nominated him for the ‘Community Volunteer Award,’ and he won it! Ian was presented with his award at a special ceremony at St Mellion International Resort on Tuesday 4 June.

Part of his nomination below:

Ian is absolutely key to the success of this project. His wealth of knowledge, his engaging delivery style, innumerable anecdotal stories from his time in the military and a clear enthusiasm for helping young people has without doubt made the project the success it has been. Not deterred by poor weather or occasional bouts of challenging behaviour, Ian remains steadfast in his commitment and enthusiasm and is helping develop the concept further as we prepare for the fourth group this autumn.

Ian has helped shape and enrich the lives of all those he comes into contact with through the project and rightly deserves this award in recognition of his outstanding efforts as a volunteer.

Summer learning at Burrator

June has continued to be busy with school visits from Mount Kelly, Pomphlett Primary School, and the whole Year 9 Geography department from Ivybridge Community College. In addition, both teams of ESOL students from City College Plymouth completed their work experience programmes on Friday afternoons.

Annual spring clean 

Over June, our volunteer groups have been busy giving the Centre, Lower Lawn/Outdoor Education Area and Wembley Walk some much needed TLC. This also included carrying out some repairs to the cob oven outer wall.

Improved parking area

In addition to clearing up after a number of fallen trees following the recent gales, our Monday and Tuesday team have been busy sorting out our forestry bay next to Yennadon car park to improve the area for parking.  Doesn’t it look smart!

BBQ fun at Meavy

On Saturday 15 June, we helped for the third year on the second BBQ at the Meavy Oak Fair, joining forces with the lovely Yelverton Play Park team. It definitely felt even busier than last year, as we ran out of food towards the end -  always a good sign! This event is also a great opportunity for a good catch up, from school children who visited for a school trip, and past work experience students, to families who regularly attend our family sessions.

Event Dates for the Diary

Evening Talks:

Tuesday 30 July 2019 – 7.30pm-8.30pm – ‘Protecting our lakes from invasive non-native species’, by Nicola Norris, Invasive Species Officer, SWLT. 

In Britain, invasive non-native species cause dramatic declines of some native species including the water vole and white-clawed crayfish. They are a particular threat in sensitive areas, such as lakes and can also interfere with recreational activities: for example, invasive aquatic plants block waterways, preventing anglers, boaters and paddlers from using them.  Join us to find out how we can help protect the wildlife and habitats which make our lakes so special against the threat of alien invasions!

£4 per person (inc. refreshments), and please book your place in advance.

Family Events:

Monthly Family Wildlife Watch Programme: 10.30am-12.30pm

Come and take part in a range of wildlife and heritage themed activities followed by hot chocolate and biscuits. We will meet at the Burrator Discovery Centre, unless alternative meeting point has been advertised. £3 per child, £2 per adult (please bring cash as we don’t have online payment facilities). Please wear outdoor clothing and footwear. No booking needed.

• Sunday 28 July

School Holiday Family Activity Days: 

‘Drop In’ between: 10:00am-3:00pm

Each activity day will involve a themed nature trail, woodwork, environmental art and outdoor cooking in and around the Burrator Discovery Centre. £3 per child, £2 per adult (please bring cash as we don’t have online payment facilities). Please wear outdoor clothing and footwear. No booking needed.

• Thursday 1 August
• Tuesday 6 August
• Wednesday 14 August
• Thursday 22 August

For more information or to book your place on any of the above events, please call 01822 855700, e-mail: [email protected] or pop into the Discovery Centre (PL20 6PE)

Practical Volunteering Days:

For all the days we meet at the Discovery Centre. Please wear old clothes and sturdy footwear, bring lunch and a drink and dress ready for ‘all the seasons in a day!'

• Monday 8 July – 10am-3pm
• Sunday 14 July – 10.30am-3.30pm
• Tuesday 16 July – 10am-3pm
• Friday 26 July – 10am-3pm
• Tuesday 30 July – 10am-3pm
• Monday 5 August – 10am-3pm
• Sunday 11 August – 10.30am-3.30pm
• Tuesday 13 August – 10am-3pm
• Monday 19 August – 10am-3pm
• Friday 30 August – 10am-3pm

Discovery Centre Opening Times:  10.00am - 4.00pm

Weekdays: Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Weekends:  

• July: Sat 6, Sun 14, Sat 20 and Sun 28
• August: Sat 3, Sun 11, Sat 17, Sun 25, Sat 31