Spring into Kingcombe

Spring is here

Dorset Wildlife Trust is celebrating the arrival of spring with a big volunteer day for all on its Kingcombe Meadows reserve.  Part of a year of events to celebrate DWT’s 50th Anniversary, ‘Spring into Kingcombe’ will be a chance to help wake up this flagship reserve for the new season, with practical tasks around the 300 acre site, and a home-made lunch at the Kingcombe Centre.   

Kingcombe Meadows, which hosted Simon King’s BBC Springwatch team last year, is a unique timewarp nestling in a beautiful and unspoilt valley in deepest west Dorset.  With its ancient green lanes and flower meadows, it is a riot of colour and birdsong in spring and early summer, thanks to generations of traditional farming practices, now continued by Dorset Wildlife Trust.   The day will include the chance to take an expert-guided walk and to sample the home-made produce of the Kingcombe Centre, run by Dorset Wildlife Trust as a centre of excellence in environmental education and sustainable living practices.

Farmed by generations of the Wallbridge family, Kingcombe Meadows was bought by Dorset Wildlife Trust 1987, following its Silver Jubilee Appeal, and is now recognised as one of the best wildlife reserves in the country.   Speaking during Springwatch filming last year, Simon King said: “Kingcombe feels unchanged, full of history and natural legacy, and all alongside man.  I thank the people of Dorset for looking after their natural heritage.”

Get involved

Debbie Watkins, West Dorset Manager at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “This is a year of celebration for Dorset Wildlife Trust so we would love to invite everybody to get involved with the life of one of our biggest and best reserves. There is a lot to do, so come for an hour or come for the day - everybody is welcome!”

 ‘Spring into Kingcombe’ is at Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Kingcombe Centre, near Toller Porcorum on Saturday 12th March from 10am to 3pm, with optional guided walk until 4.30 pm.  Grid ref: SY 555992.  Suitable for all ages, but children must be accompanied.  Free event, with light lunch included.  Booking essential on 01300 321329.

For more information about Kingcombe Meadows, click here.