The Buzztastic Bee-Balancing Blundershow at free Buckler’s Hard Family Conservation Awareness Day

April 11, 2024

Discover how you can play your part in protecting the environment while you enjoy fun activities, face painting and the Buzztastic Bee-Balancing Blundershow at Buckler’s Hard on Sunday 12th May.
Entry to the Family Conservation Awareness Day and the maritime village is free and displays and activities will run from 10am – 3.30pm. Now in its third year, the event provides a fun way for all the family to learn about local wildlife issues in the heart of the New Forest.

You may have heard of a flea circus but what about a bee circus? Dr Albinele brings his Buzztastic Bee-Balancing Blundershow and travelling hive to the event. Learn the waggle dance, join in with sticky ball pollination and watch out for the exterminator, while you discover how important bees really are!

Snazzy Roo Face Painting is not just for children, while a sustainability trail will lead you around Buckler’s Hard Apple Orchard and New Forest Marque member New Forest Fruit will share dried strawberry snacks.

From experts on fungus to dormice and moths, meet and chat with local woodlanders, wildlife and countryside specialists. A woodland craftsmans’ area will feature New Forest Coppice Crafts, woodland teacher Paul Brockman and Pondhead Conservation Trust. Joining them will be Matthew Gregory Tree Services and Vesper Conservation Ecology.

The Countryside Education Trust will run a quiz about Climate Change and its impact on coastal habitats. Natural England’s Marine Lead Advisor will answer questions on the Solent, together with British Divers Marine Life Rescue ­– which recently helped the Beaulieu River team to protect Hampshire’s first grey seal pup. Continuing the maritime theme will be Project Seagrass and Solent Seascape.

The RSPB and Bird Aware Solent will offer advice on how to look after our birdlife and their nesting habitats. Also keeping an eye will be Hampshire Police Countrywatch, explaining Operation Seabird and rural policing on land and sea.

Inland streams, rivers, bogs and ponds will be promoted by Freshwater Habitats Trust, while New Forest National Park Rangers and Forestry England will explain how the landscape and livestock are maintained and co-exist in the working New Forest.

All things deer related will be covered by the British Deer Society and Thornhill Deer Management, in association with Premier Wildlife Services. The New Forest Non-Native Plants Officer will also help you to identify invasive species and advise on the best way to deal with them.

New Forest artwork, books and maps will be on sale and Wild New Forest, which runs guided tours on the Beaulieu River, will share its extensive survey work and discuss educational walks and talks.

If you fancy a trip on the water during your visit, the regular River Cruise will be sailing from the jetty at the bottom of Buckler’s Hard High Street from 11am – 4.30pm. All of the family will love looking for wildlife and hearing fascinating tales. Tickets can be bought on board. For more details see https://bucklershard.co.uk/attractions/river-cruise/.

Your visit to Buckler’s Hard

While you are visiting Family Conservation Awareness Day, don’t forget that entry to Buckler’s Hard is free, with free access to:

With a paid admission ticket to Buckler’s Hard Museum, discover more about Buckler’s Hard’s maritime past and follow residents’ stories in the exhibition of village life.

Drop anchor for brunch, lunch or a delicious cream tea at The Captain’s Table. Or call into new pub Henry’s at the Master Builder’s House, named after the 18th century shipbuilder Henry Adams who once lived there.

Buckler’s Hard, in the heart of the New Forest, is accessible by foot, car, motorbike – or boat! For those arriving by car, a small parking charge contributes to the upkeep of the historic village.

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