Haverhill-UK – News – School’s out so keep them entertained at our parks

The school summer holidays start tomorrow but parents and grandparents don’t despair – we have a packed programme of activities at our parks, many of them are free, and what is more our parks have once again been named amongst the best in the country for cleanliness and safety.

This week is the tenth anniversary of Love Parks Week and for the fifth year running The Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds, East Town Park in Haverhill, Nowton Park and West Stow Country Park, have all been awarded The Green Flag Award for 2016/17 from the national charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Cllr Joanna Rayner, St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Heritage said: “Keeping our parks looking so clean and so great is a real team effort and my praise goes out to all of our gardeners and rangers for their hard work – the Green Flag award is recognition for their collective accomplishments.

“Now we have six weeks of school summer holidays and a great programme of park activities for your children to enjoy – and many of them are free as well. So why not pack a picnic, a football and a frisbee, set your children loose on swings and slides, let them run off some of that boundless energy, go on a nature trail, spot the flora and fauna and relax in our wonderful parks.

“Our parks are fantastic places for families to visit. They are right here on your doorstep ready for you to enjoy and what is more, you can do so with the peace of mind that once again they have been awarded Green Flag status, meaning that they are safe, clean and well looked after.”

Chairman of Bury St Edmunds Town Council Andrew Speed said: “The Town Council is delighted to provide these free events at Nowton Park this summer. With activities such as den making, laser combat, camouflage games, art and much more, there is absolutely no reason why parents or grandparents should hear the words ‘ I’m bored’ this summer.”

Abbey Gardens summer holiday events

27 July – 7.30pm – Murder on the terrace – outdoor theatre show – suitable for adults and children aged 8+. All children 12 & under must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets: £12 adults / £10 concessions. Booking recommended. https://www.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk/whats-on/event/2937/murder-on-the-terrace

30 August – 3pm and 7pm – Ratburger – outdoor theatre show based on the David Walliams book – for children aged 7+ and their families. All children 12 & under must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets: £12 adults / £10 concessions. Booking recommended. https://www.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk/whats-on/event/2946/ratburger

East Town Park summer holiday events

3 August – 11am-3pm – Picnic in the Park – in partnership with Haverhill Town Council, a day of family entertainment and activities. Free.

5 August – 8.30pm till late – Creatures of the night – Discover bats and moths – Adults £3, children free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

12 August – 1pm-3pm – The Great Big Bugs and Beasties Hunt – discover the world of bugs and beasties that live in the park – suitable for 5-12 year-olds. Under 8’s must be accompanied by an adult. £5 per child, booking essential.

19 August – 1.30pm -3.30pm – Camp fires and Den Building – suitable for 6-12 year-olds £5 per child. Booking essential

26 August – 2-4pm – Kite making workshop – suitable for 6-12 year-olds – under 8’s must be accompanied by an adult. £6 per child – booking essential

Nowton Park summer holiday events

27 July to 29 August – 11am to 4pm – Commonwealth Fun and Games – there are lots of free activities taking place at Nowton Park, paid for by Bury St Edmunds Town Council.

As well as daily games including rounders, volley ball and giant Jenga, there will also be other date specific activities including multicultural dance sessions, camouflage games, art in the park, felt making, circus skills, den building, print making, catapult building, nature boat building, laser combat, fire lighting, kite making, paper making, tag rugby, dodgeball & Uni Hock, an outdoor climbing wall and archery.

Details for all of these can be found at https://www.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk/whats-on/2016/07

West Stow Country Park summer holiday events

6 August, 13 August and 20 August – ‘Into the Wild’ Bushcraft! – A chance to experience and learn exciting outdoor skills with Bushcraft expert John Stewart. Come for a day (9am – 4pm. £25) or a family taster morning (9am -1pm. £15) or, for adults, enjoy an evening in the wild with a unique opportunity to stay over-night in the Country Park (4pm – 9.30am. £45) Explore the woodland base camp and have a go at fire-lighting, shelter-building, tracking, spoon-carving, wild food plus much more. Booking essential: For booking and more info please see www.whatsonwestsuffolk or contact the Apex 01284 758000.

4 August, 11 August , 18 August and 25 August – Activity Thursdays – Drop-in days of free have-a-go activities in the Anglo-Saxon Village – for all the family including archery, pottery, candle-making, story-telling and an archaeological mini-dig. Normal admission charges apply. Village opening times 10am – 5pm. Last entry 4pm. Activities 11am – 4pm.

20-21 August – Anglo-Saxon Village Life: Anglo-Saxon family life with costume group CHES. Demonstrations of crafts, cooking and daily life in the Anglo-Saxon Village. Normal admission charges apply. Village opening times 10am – 5pm. Last entry 4pm.

22-24 August – Summer Discovery Club – three full days of exciting creative arts and crafts in this summer club for children aged 7 – 11. Cost:£75. Places are limited, so book now by visiting or phoning West Stow 01284 728718

For further info/queries about any of the above please email weststow@stedsbc.gov.uk or phone us 01284 728718.

For more on the Green Flag scheme visit http://greenflagaward.org/

For more on Love Parks Week visit http://www.loveparks.org/home/1816