There are several terrapins resident in Danbury’s lakes, we are not sure exactly how many but as many as six have been sighted basking together in the sun, although I have only ever seen two or three at any one time.

They were dumped here twenty odd years ago as unwanted pets.

In the late 1980s early 90s there was a craze for  keeping terrapins as pets  started by a popular comic strip called “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”.  A film was also made in 1990.  Following the craze many people got tiny terrapins as pets. Baby terrapins  are very cute and no larger than a two pence piece so easy to have at home in an aquarium.  But very soon they grew and people were did not realise that their tiny pet had the potential to grow to the size of a dinner plate! As they out grew their tanks, and became to big to be cute, they were dumped in the countryside to fend for themselves.

The terrapins  originate from the southern parts of North America their Latin name is Trachemys scripta elegans   .   The craze for Ninja Turtles also hit other countries, including the States, but because their climate is more suitable for the terrapins to thrive, the pets that were dumped have multiplied so successfully that they are now considered to be an invasive species in places such as California.

You may have noticed a thin red stripe by the side of their heads? This denotes that they are Red-eared Sliders.  The “slider” part of their name refers to the way they slide off their basking area (tree or rock) back into the water with surprising stealth and lightening speed!

They are almost entirely aquatic, but they do leave the water to bask in the sunshine and to lay eggs.   I have never found any terrapin eggs on the park but that could be because they are predated.  Generally the males are smaller than the females, but neither get larger than 13inches, 33cms long.  Courtship and mating occurs under water and then the female digs a nest in the muddy/sandy bank where she will lay her eggs.  I do not believe we have warm enough summers for the terrapins to breed and I have never seen any juveniles.

They are omnivores eating both pond weed and small fish.  Younger terrapins tend to be more carnivorous and it is thought that this is necessary for them to meet their nutrient requirement. As terrapins get older they become increasingly herbivorous.  Some people believe the terrapins take the ducklings at Danbury but I have never witnessed this.  I would not consider our terrapins to be damaging to the environment or adversely affecting the food chain on the park.  In fact I think that their presence here adds to the interest and delight  of our visitors, so I do not personally see a need to exercise any control measures.

They do not hibernate over winter, but they do dig themselves in to the mud at the bottom of the lake and become dormant.  Generally when temperatures fall below 10degrees centigrade they become less active and disappear from view.  Despite the lake freezing they pop back up each Spring and can often been seen basking on the overhanging branches on sunny days.  I would be very sorry if they did not pop up after winter although they are an introduced species I like to see them basking in the sunshine and I am quite respectful of the fact that they are quite old now!

If you manage to capture a photo of them please email it  to me as I never manage to have my camera handy when I spot them!

There’s ‘egg-citement’ for all agers at Weald Country Park from 10am on Sunday 1 until Saturday 14 April, with ‘Easter Chick Trail’, a self-guided trail through the woods as visitors search for the hidden chicks, with a reward waiting for them at the visitor centre.

For the more adventurous, why not join Thorndon’s fossil hunters on their secret expedition to find the lost location of the last unknown dinosaur fossil in ‘The Lost Dinosaur’ at Thorndon Country Park at 11am on Wednesday 4 April – be sure to come in costume!

Look out for the Easter Bunny at Danbury Country Park from 10:30am on Thursday 5 April, as visitors lead themselves through the woods to the woods to complete the Easter Quiz. Budding Easter Egg hunters will also be able to paint a hen’s egg and join in the egg and spoon race to find the Easter Bunny hiding in the willow bower.

The Easter fun continues at Thorndon Country Park on Friday 6 April with ‘Easter Hopalong’, an opportunity for visitors to learn more about Easter and springtime from 10:30am. Pre-booking is essential for this event.

Take a trip back in time to the Tudors from 10am on Sunday 8 and Monday 9 April with ‘Tudors: Live’, an interactive family experience at Cressing Temple, where visitors will meet with family characters from the late 1500s and learn of their Easter pastimes. Pre-booking is essential for this event.

If the Tudors aren’t your thing, then why not back step 2,000 years in time with the ‘Iron Age Roundhouse’, where visitors will come together and meet the Chieftain’s family around a fire and learn how Ancestors lived many years ago. Try your hand as a potter and make a clay coil pot to take home (additional charges apply).

Explore the British wildlife in the picturesque Danbury Country Park at 9:30am on Saturday 7 April with ‘Young Rangers’, a club for 10 – 16 year old children with a keen interest in conservation.

Whatever your age, there’s something for all the family this Easter at your local Country Park. For full listings of events, please visit www.visitparks.co.uk.

County Councillor Jeremy Lucas, Cabinet Member for Environment and Culture said: “Our events promise families an egg-citing day out this Easter. They give youngsters the chance to have fun in our picturesque open spaces, whilst learning about the wildlife of Essex. I encourage Essex residents to take advantage of the many activities on offer in beautiful countryside locations throughout the county”.

These exciting activities form part of Danbury’s monthly Nature Club being held on the 18 April.  For children aged between 7 to 11 years there is the chance to make special crafts from natural materials collected from in and around the park. 

Andrea Gabriel, Country Park Ranger, said: “Danbury’s nature club is growing in popularity every month; this is due to the fascinating activities and the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.  I do hope the trend continues and I urge everyone to come and join us.”

Tickets cost £3 per child (adults are free).  Time: 10am–12noon.  Suitable for children aged 7 to 11.  To book or for more information please call 0845 603 7624.  Advanced booking is essential.

Danbury Country Park, Danbury, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 4AN

On Sunday 1 April visitors to Cudmore are invited to take part in ‘Snakewatch’, a unique wildlife walk in hunt of the adder.  As visitors walk around this coastal park, they will learn about the habits and life-cycle of these fascinating, but increasingly rare creatures.

In Essex adders occupy a variety of habitats including grasslands, scrubland and heathland, however the main strongholds in the county are the seawalls and marshes beside the coast.  Despite being the only venomous snake in the UK, they are not aggressive and will only attack if harassed or threatened. 

Dougal Urquhart, Site Manager and Snakewatch tour guide, said: “Early spring is the perfect time to catch adder’s basking in the sun.  During our snakewatch tour you will be taken on an expedition, where you will learn all about these amazing creatures and capture them enjoying the spring sunshine.”

Due to limited spaces booking is essential.  For more information or to book a place please call 0845 603 7624.

Cudmore Grove Country Park, Bromans Lane, East Mersea, Essex, CO5 8UE

Essex Country Parks are set to inspire a whole host of Essex astronomers and stargazers this year, with an annual programme of stargazing events, organized by the North Essex Astronomical Society.

Stargazers of all ages and experience are invited to Great Notley Country Park, where they will have the chance to see Jupiter, as well as far-off nebulae and a distant galaxy.

Entry is free of charge and visitors will have the chance to view the fascinating solar system through one of many high-powered professional telescopes.

Stargazing at Great Notley Country Park will take place from 6pm on a monthly basis and will allow for budding Essex stargazers to have a glimpse of the universe throughout the year. The next stargazing event will take place on Saturday 31 March.

County Councillor Jeremy Lucas, Cabinet Member for Environment and Culture said: “The stargazing events are an exciting addition to our Country Park event schedule. They enable our residents to take part in a countrywide activity showcasing our picturesque parks in the process.

“What better way to discover the universe than a trip to Great Notley to watch the sky in its entire splendour. These events are suitable for all ages so wrap up warm, come along and take part.”

For more information about this and other country park events, please visit www.visitparks.co.uk

An exciting day full of giant-sized family fun is to take place at Danbury Country Park and promises to be a mega sensory exploration.

‘Giants in the Park’ takes place on Sunday 1 April from 10:30am – 2:30pm, and aims to bring together the excitement and enjoyment of storytelling.

Visitors will participate in interactive storytelling as they venture through the country park with Essex Storytelling Laureate Mike Dodsworth taking part in activities designed to give residents a day in the park they’ll never forget.

There will also be a family geo-caching trail, where visitors of all ages must use GPS technology to discover the park, special activities for under 5’s and an opportunity to create your own tree giant using clay and found materials.

The event is part of a new and exciting storytelling project in Essex called Giants are Coming, which invites residents of all ages to create their own giant-sized stories and poems. The project is inspired by Sparks will Fly in Essex, a cultural celebration of the Olympics from May – July 2012.

Residents can submit their stories by post, email and online on the new website (www.giantsarecoming.co.uk). Supporting illustrations are also welcome as part of a submission.

Each submission will need to consider Sparks will Fly in 2012 and the idea that two larger-than-life Champions are due to arrive in Essex in May 2012, for something very special.  Experts in their fields, they’ve never met or competed against each other before, and this will be the first time they’ve been to Essex.   Why would they choose to come here?  What will happen when they meet? And what do you think the people of Essex will make of these enormous visitors.

Admission to Giants in the Park is free, however car parking charges apply.

County Councillor Jeremy Lucas, Cabinet Member for Environment and Culture said: “Giants in the Park is a great experience for the whole family and will ensure an exciting day out full of mystery and discovery. Take advantage of this opportunity to discover the magic of storytelling in the inspirational setting of Danbury Country Park Just one of the many country parks and open spaces well worth visiting throughout Essex.”

Mike Dodsworth, Storyteller said: “I can’t think of a better day out! A voyage of discovery through one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in Essex with a gigantic story unfolding with every step you take. This promises to be a memory making event and I hope to see you there.”

To get involved and write your own giant-themed story, please visit www.giantsarecoming.co.uk. For more information about Sparks will Fly in Essex, please visit www.sparkswillfly.org.uk.

of New Gruffalo Adventure

Playing host to yet another exciting event, Essex County Council’s Thorndon Country Park provided the wintry backdrop for the national celebratory launch of ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’ on DVD.

One of the nation’s most popular children’s books, and now a successful film franchise, the snow covered country park was the perfect backdrop for The Gruffalo experience. With a specially created trail stretching across the woodland, guests scurried along, like the beloved mouse from The Gruffalo, to take part in range of special Gruff-tivities as they encountered all manner of characters – including… the Gruffalo himself.

To mark this special occasion, Neil Bruce, Essex Country Park Ranger, fired up his chainsaw and let his passion for sculpture run wild to create a carving of the Gruffalo Child. This accompanies Neil’s previous carving of The Gruffalo character that marked a special educational event at Thorndon Country Park back in May 2011.

Demonstrating the unique and diverse learning experience that Country Parks can offer, this event gave children the opportunity to get close to nature with a range of educational, insightful and exciting activities along the way.

Just one of many themed days that Essex Country Parks holds every year, The Gruffalo experience brought the classroom outdoors for a day of learning in a safe and neutral environment that pupils can truly flourish in. Not only do pupils get to meet and experience the characters that they have read about and seen on the big screen, events like this can enhance a child’s need to connect with nature and the wider environment.

Each Gruffalo day has been specifically designed to be cross-curricular to cover many areas of Key Stage 1 like natural habitats, food chains and living things. What’s more is there are also many extension activities for teachers to bring back to the classroom to put the outdoors, indoors.

County Councillor Jeremy Lucas, Cabinet Member for Environment and Culture said: ”We’re please that the team at Magic Light Productions chose the picturesque surrounds at Thorndon Country Park as a perfect setting for the launch of their exciting new The Gruffalo’s Child DVD.

“Thorndon Country Park’s educational programme provides an excellent opportunity for pupils to learn in new and exciting environment. Thanks to our Gruffalo-themed days, your class can have a memorable learning experience”.

For more information visit www.visitparks.co.uk  

The Gruffalo’s Child is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

On 12^th February 2012, from 12.30pm - 3.30pm Thorndon Country Park & Magic Light Pictures will be hosting a Gruffalo’s Child event to celebrate the launch of the DVD, released during half term. We invite you and your family to step into the magical world of The Gruffalo’s Child for this special event.

Secretly nestled into this deep dark wood are surprises waiting to be unveiled.  Follow The Gruffalo’s Child Trail through the woods, encounter each of the characters and get much closer to nature with fun activities along the way.

A great day packed with outdoor, family fun as well as helping connect children to nature…The Gruffalo himself may even make an appearance so don’t forget your camera and come and join us!

Sunday 12th February 2012, 12.30pm – 3.30pm 

Thorndon Country Park (North)

The Avenue Brentwood CM13 3RZ

12 month fixed term contract

£16,830 - £21,519 annual salary

Full Time - 37 hours per week - occasional weekend working may be required, for which lieu time will be given.

Cressing Temple, Braintree

Once the property of the mysterious Knights Templar, Cressing Temple boasts two of the finest remaining medieval timber barns in Europe.  Another highlight of this nationally-recognised ancient monument is the beautifully reconstructed Tudor Walled Garden surrounded by its original Tudor wall.

We are looking for an inspiring gardener or horticulturist who wants to make their mark, passing on their passion and understanding of plants to people of all ages.

You will maintain and develop the Tudor walled garden as an attraction and educational resource. You will interpret the garden to the general public and groups of visitors, including schoolchildren at our popular Tudor experience days, or taking part in our reconstructions of Tudor life during school holidays.

You must understand the nomenclature of plants, know propagation techniques, vegative and non vegative, and be able to undertake a 2-3 year growing plan.  You will be expected to grow your own plants and develop seed collections to preserve varieties. You will also be expected to oversee the other smaller site gardens – the Cullen (glade) Garden, and the Visitor Centre Tea garden.

Ideally you will be currently managing or deputising for a garden that specialises in medieval/ Tudor plants or can demonstrate excellent knowledge in this area.

You will lead a small team of dedicated volunteers, and will maintain links to our Mencap learning for work programme.

Informal Enquiries: Sheila Hennings on 01376 584903

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

http://www.workingforessex.com/details.aspx?nPostingID=13029&nPostingTargetID=138715&option=52&sort=DESC&respnr=2&ID=QZUFK026203F3VBQB8M8MF60R&Resultsperpage=20&lg=UK&mask=external

From Monday 13 – Friday 17 February, farmers of all ages will be twitching to get there hands on loads of bird-themed activities – from crafting a bird feeder with recycled materials to making a splash with a build-your-own bird bath.

Fancy a challenge? Then why not put on your thinking cap, get ready to shout ‘house!’ and take part in bird bingo to test your bird knowledge, here’s a hint – don’t forget to keep those eyes peeled for sparrows, swans, ducks, hens as well as loads of other birds that visit the farm!

Visitors can roll up their sleeves and get decorating by making bird-themed bunting to celebrate how our feathered friends make the great outdoors such a great place to be. Book up on the day and get those tools at the ready as you’ll have the chance make your own wooden bird box to take home and use in your very own garden!

When visiting the Farm, don’t forget to bring binoculars as they’ll be plenty of feathered wildlife to see from the tractor and trailer ride as it takes visitors around the farm on a bird-themed safari. Get up close with all manner of feathery characters in the Marsh Farm walkthrough aviary to discover exotic birds from distant lands.

A trip to Marsh Farm is a perfect way to entertain the kids this half-term with a huge variety of themed activities taking place. Marsh Farm is open daily throughout the 2012 season with loads of other great activities and special events lined-up.

County Councillor Jeremy Lucas, Cabinet Member for Environment and Culture said: “Marsh Farm is a great experience for children and the whole family and our Busy Birds Week will ensure an exciting day out for all during half term. Take advantage of this local farm attraction, just one of the many country parks and open spaces well worth visiting throughout Essex”.

For more information visit www.marshfarm.co.uk