Oxford’s sound of summer.
12 July 2010
Nature-inspired music will accompany this year’s summer buzz at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve (NNR) on Saturday 24 July, 12:00 – 17:00 as part of the ‘Sounds like Summer’ music and nature festival.
The event’s music and family-friendly activities will celebrate the nature at Aston Rowant NNR and the International Year of Biodiversity 2010. Visitors can also rise to the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad challenge to discover more about wildlife in this stunning setting as part of the Discovering Places Open Weekend 2010.
The fantastic line-up of local musicians will cover a range of styles including folk, blues, soul, jazz and alternative. Family-friendly activities include:
Nature Walks.
Dance and drumming workshops.
Face painting.
A musical tour of the site with the Green Man.
The ‘Sounds Like Summer’ event has been organised by Natural England and the Chilterns Conservation Board, with support from Oxfordshire County Council, Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust, ARocha UK and Starlight Community Project.
Famous for its red kites, Aston Rowant NNR is positioned on the north-western scarp of the Chiltern Hills, within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Festival goers will be treated to the spectacular views across the Vale of Oxford, and will be surrounded by the wildflowers that cover the chalk grassland and support an abundance of butterflies.
Jenny Crook, Natural England’s education specialist says “The beauty of the Reserve offers an amazing venue for this popular festival. It’s sights, sounds and smells add up to an unforgettable natural experience. Over 1,000 people came to the festival last year and we hope to see even more people this year as we’re also celebrating the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, which promotes the importance of protecting a wide range of species across the UK and around the world.”
Cathy Rose, Activities and Learning Officer, Chilterns Conservation Board says: Aston Rowant NNR is a very special part of the protected landscape of the Chilterns AONB. Butterflies and flowers are out in full force in the summer and there will be plenty of experts who can answer visitor’s questions about the wildlife and habitats of this site.”
Visitors can bring a picnic or enjoy the offerings from a variety of food stalls. Free coaches are leaving from around Oxford and parking will be in the Cowleaze Wood car park opposite the nature reserve. To find out more, please contact Jenny Crook on 01844 351833 or visit the Natural England Website: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/regions/south_east/events
More details:
Location – Aston Rowant NNR, J6 M40, signposted from A40 nr Stokenchurch, opposite Cowleaze Wood car park, OX49 5HX.
£2 for adults payable on booking for those on coaches, or on the gate for all other visitors.
Coach places are limited – To reserve your place contact Sue Funge at Starlight Community Project on 01865 778514 (Office hours only, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).
ENDS
For further information, please contact Jenny Crook on 01844 351833 email jenny.crook@naturalengland.org.uk, or Antony Hart from Natural England’s communications team on 0300 060 4072 email antony.hart@naturalengland.org.uk.
Notes to Editors:
Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. See: www.naturalengland.org.uk
.National Nature Reserves give the public a chance to experience at first hand a wide variety of wildlife. Designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) by Natural England, they are internationally significant and safeguarded under European law.
Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve is managed by Natural England. Details of all the events can be found on the Natural England website, which is also a good place to find out about the organisation and other wildlife sites to visit across to country. The reserve also hosts school visits throughout the year and has a free Environmental Education Pack to download
Aston Rowant NNR sits on the steep west-facing scarp of the Chilterns. It comprises flower-rich chalk grassland together with beech woodland and juniper scrub. A number of scarce plants can be seen at the reserve, including Chiltern gentian and a wide variety of orchids. The site is also home to many species of butterfly such as the silver-spotted skipper and chalkhill blue. The reserve's diverse habitats support a variety of bird life and Aston Rowant is renowned as one of the best places in England to see red kites. The summer months are the best time to visit for butterflies and flowers.
The International Year of Biodiversity, in 2010, is to celebrate the diversity of life on Earth, including every plant, animal and micro-organism. In the UK, IYB has over 200 partners ranging from universities, media organisations and museums to theatre companies and artists. They have come together to promote the understanding of biodiversity during the International Year of Biodiversity. This is a chance to learn more about the rich tapestry of life around you, discover why it’s important for a healthy environment and get involved in monitoring and conserving your local wildlife.
The Conservation Board was set up following the passing of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, 2000, to conserve and enhance the natural beauty and increase awareness and understanding of the Chilterns Chilterns AONB. The Board, which also aims to foster the social and economic well being of local communities, is supported by all local authorities in the area and by the Countryside Agency, the National Trust and The Chiltern Society.
For more information about the Chilterns AONB or the Chilterns Conservation Board, phone 01844 355500, email: office@chilternsaonb.org, website www.chilternsaonb.org
.Discovering Places is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, a major engagement programme for London 2012. The Cultural Olympiad will enable people, especially young people, around the UK to experience London 2012 in their town or street and to increase participation and capacity in cultural activity. It aims to harness the power of the Games to inspire creativity across all forms of culture. The programme will showcase the local environment and encourage people to engage through a series of events and projects in the lead up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
