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A fun day of getting close to wildlife at Kinver Edge, with free activities and walks all day

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Saturday 19th May, 9am until 11pm

Find us at the war memorial by the Ranger’s Yard, Comber Road, sat-nav DY7 6HU. Free lay-by parking.

This Saturday, Kinver Edge will be hosting a day of free wildlife activities and guided walks for the whole family, so that you can get up close to nature.

In the morning there will be a bird-ringing catching our feathered friends, and all afternoon you can have a go at pond-dipping in our Ranger’s Yard. All day there will be a pop-up laboratory where you can check-out creepy crawlies that we’ve caught under microscopes, and handle at the amazing natural artefacts on our nature table (like snake skins, deer skulls and live moths!). Throughout the day there will be free guided walks, from reptile rambles looking for snakes to bird song strolls: all free, just drop in and have a go. In the evening stray up late to listen to bats with our detector equipment and hunt for moths with mega moth-traps.

There’s no need to book on to any of the walks, just turn up on the day at the Ranger’s Yard.

Helen Selkirk, Visitor Experience Officer for Kinver Edge says:

‘How often do you get to hold a blue-tit, or see a wild snake? We know that our visitors already love the wildlife of Kinver Edge, and now they have a chance to get that bit closer. Find out what is flying above your head at night, and buzzing in the heather! It’s also a great chance to meet the Ranger here and ask about our conservation work.’

Snowbound sleigh’s £5,000 takes Rotary Club’s recent charity collections total to £15,000

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Despite being hit by the pre Christmas deluge of snow which forced the cancellation of four nights’ Santa tours, Kinver Rotary Club’s Christmas sleigh raised more than £5,000 for needy causes in Kinver, Wollaston, Enville and Wall Heath.

Fortunately the club was able to visit its newest locations – Doulton Brook in Wollaston and Aldi at Kingswinford/Pensnett before the snows arrived, so mitigating the deficit on the annual collection.

Club President Clive Corbett says: “Although it is sad that the weather left us no option but to disappoint many children on the four routes we were unable to undertake, the joy that we gave to so many is a great thing and the real essence of Kinver Rotary’s work.”

Members began the sleigh tours in the knowledge that their fund raising activities over the preceding weeks had raised more than £11,000.

Final figures from the 10k Sheepwalks Shocker reveal that Action Heart received £6,600 with a further £307 going to Kinver Fitness Collective from the associated 2k family event while the annual Children in Need quiz hosted by Voice of the Balls Alan Dedicoat netted £1,125 .

The club’s harvest auction put £1,273 into its general charity account,  a whisky tasting evening raised £752 for the Place2B charity and a music evening organised by the club’s international committee resulted in £982 being earmarked for overseas charitable works.

Clive Corbett  adds:  “We hope anybody who views Rotary as a movement for elderly gentlemen who merely meet and eat will change their opinions as they realise we support a wide variety of deserving causes while, at the same time, having great enjoyment from all we do.”

If you enjoy organising or taking part in events to assist those less fortunate than most, quizzing, listening to music, appreciating good whiskeys or merely enjoying some fine fellowship with like-minded people contact Kinver Rotary Club  membership secretary Tom Bryson on  07541 449807.

Christmas at Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses

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Visit Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses this December for a cosy Christmas and explore by candlelight these curious homes carved out of rock. Father Christmas will be here to welcome little visitors, and mulled wine will be warming on the range.

Join us inside the Rock Houses from 11-3pm on Saturday 2nd, Sunday 3rd, Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th December for a cosy Christmas celebration. Explore the winding woods and crisp heathland of Kinver Edge with a free festive-themed family trail whilst taking in the spectacular views from the Hill Fort. Step inside the atmospheric rock houses, twinkling by candlelight and decked with boughs of holly and Ivy from Kinver Edge, whilst indulging in a cup of mulled wine warming on the range. Then why not pay a visit to Father Christmas in the magical cave grotto and be sure to tell him what’s on your Christmas list this year. You never know, he might have a little gift already waiting for you. Then warm up with seasonal treats in our tearoom or treat yourself to a little something in our shop.

Normal admission charges apply, free entry for NT members. Visits to Father Christmas cost £3 per child. There is no need to book, just drop in.

For more information contact us on:

01384 872553

Or visit our website:

https://nationaltrust.org.uk/kinver-edge-and-the-rock-houses

World Mental Health Day 10th October 2017

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As I’m sure you’re aware Gav Bache, a much loved and well-respected resident of Kinver, recently took his own life.

What this highlights is that mental health is something we should all watch out for. It’s something that should be taken seriously, and if you feel you’re suffering, something you should seek help with.

Life is full of ups and downs, this is natural, but often it can get overwhelming. It can begin to affect our friendships, our work and our relationships.

Don’t feel you have to suffer in silence. There is no stigma to feeling down, and no shame in reaching out to someone.

World Mental Health Day 10th October 2017

Mental health is a worldwide problem. On the 10th October, World Mental Health Day aims to highlight the issues, and more importantly, provide help for those that need it.

Mind is the UK charity that provides help and support to anyone experiencing mental health problems, and they have branches locally.

Check out their website for information about World Mental Health Day here: https://www.mind.org.uk/get-involved/world-mental-health-day/

You can also call them on weekdays 9am – 6pm : 0300 123 3393

Exercise can help

Have you heard of Forest Bathing? Me neither until I researched this article.

It’s the simple practice of taking a short walk through a forest, and it has been shown to help people with anxiety.

Where better to do that than Kinver?

We have miles of walks through some stunning countryside and as well as giving us time to reflect, it also helps keep us fit.

Want work up more of a sweat?

Kinver Fitness Collective is a group of people who meet regularly to run, ride and walk around the area.

There are no fitness level requirements, all are welcome.

Check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/425676594241257/

Talk to someone

Kinver also has a network of people who are there for you in your time of need.

When he heard of the passing of Gav, Brian Ashmead sent me the following:

With the passing of our dear and much loved friend Gav it has focused my mind on how vulnerable we all are to the pressures of this world that we live in with the ever present threat of terrorism, the terrible tragedy of Grenfell Tower, Brexit, making ends meet , worries about passing exams , affording to live, getting a job, the NHS, the terrible murder in Stourbridge etc, in our busy lives we don’t have the time to look  around us and see the signs in our friends and acquaintances that they may need some help, some advice, someone to listen to or a just a hug.

If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to or you your selves want some reassurance then please contact us and we will try and help, there are no guarantees and there are no obligations

I and six other Kinver people are members of Stourbridge Street Pastors we patrol the street of Stourbridge on a Saturday night looking to help anyone who needs us, we don’t Judge, we don’t preach, we don’t recruit for the church ,we don’t discriminate and above all we try and show a genuine love to all. Sometimes we get abused and we get rejected but that is life and we carry on.

In Kinver, “Churches Together” provides the same service to our community, they have the same philosophy as Street Pastors and they will not try and make you attend church but they will provide guidance on who to contact to resolve your current problems and a friendly, loving chat if you need one.

Our help is open to all ages, all beliefs and all races and it is completly free and impartial

St Peter’s Church         stpeterskinver.org.uk

Rev Karen Stanton       kaz@thestantons.me.uk   01384-8725556

Methodist Church        kinvermethodistchurch.co.uk

Rev. Peter Knight        minister@kinbvermethodistchurch.co.uk   01384 860382

St Mary’s Church  Enville

Rev. Martin Soar  msoar@oshsch.com   07952 610677

These are your churches , they are for everyone in Kinver  whether you attend or not.

 

YoungMinds

Younger people can have very different issues that cause them anxiety and depression, and there is help available for them, too.

The YoungMinds website provides advice and assistance for young adults and children: https://youngminds.org.uk/

They also have a helpline: 0808 802 5544

Mental Health Foundation

If you want to learn more about mental health, and find more hints and tips on looking after yourself, then the Mental Health Foundation website has lots of information:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

You can also text TIPS to 70300 and they’ll send you free tips on good mental health.

What to do if you suspect a friend is suffering

It’s hard to know when a friend or relative is having issues with mental health, but we can all help by simply taking time to listen.

We can also be considerate in our actions.

Anxiety and depression is not just sadness. It’s not just about “cheering up.”

If you think someone needs help, check out this web page:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/supporting-someone-mental-health-problem

Don’t suffer in silence

Above all, never think that you are alone.

You are not.

Kinver is a great community with many people who are willing to help.