Ian Johnston, Chair of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust presented the group with their award on Saturday 14th April 2018 at Rushcliffe Country Park where the group meet and compiled their nature led activity yearbook to submit towards the award.

Ian stated:

Geoff East, one of the group’s leaders commented, "We are all very proud to receive this award on behalf of the group. Laura, Sarah, Sharon and I always enjoy choosing the monthly themes, getting some of our ideas from the great feedback we receive from the children. We just want the children to enjoy the sessions and seeing smiles on their faces is enough of a reward. We have been fortunate to win this award, much thanks to the work that Sarah put in to produce our yearbook, as we are sure that everyone who gets involved in Wildlife Watch nationally does an equally fantastic job for their groups."

The announcement of the award earlier in the year said;

“This year, the winner of the Wildlife Watch Group of the Year Award is Rushcliffe Wildlife Watch Group from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. Well done Rushcliffe!  This fantastic group is really led by the children – they spent lots of time outdoors (a must for a Watch group!) and lots of their members have won Hedgehog Awards this year by helping wildlife in their area.

Their group has a knitted hedgehog mascot called Mr Hedgehog. The children take it in turns to take Mr Hedgehog on adventures, completing his diary over the course of the year. In 2017 they made treats for the birds, built a minibeast hotel, picked litter, went on a fungi hunt… and that was just a few of their sessions!”

Judge Ellie Bottomley said: “A fun, creative and enthusiastic group who impressed me with their hedgehog diary of wild adventures which carried on outside of group activities!”

Judge Ben Cook said: "This group is really led by what the children want to do. A good mix of fun and learning: great!"

The Rushcliffe Wildlife Watch Group meets every second Saturday of the month throughout the year (except August) at the Education Room in Rushcliffe Country Park – whatever the weather. After an introduction indoors most of the activities take place outdoors and the Park has lots of wildlife to explore.

The group, which is the junior section of the Wildlife Trusts, is aimed at children aged from 8-13, although there is no strict age restriction at the Rushcliffe group, as there are some younger siblings that enjoy the sessions very much and the group always welcomes new members.

The next session is Saturday 12th May, 11:00 – 13:00 and the theme is 'Wiggly Worms’! The group has a special visit from The Urban Worm and will be finding out all about these fascinating and important creatures, and even having a go at worm charming and making a wormery. Meet at the education room in Rushcliffe Country Park Visitor Centre, Mere Way, Ruddington NG 11 6JS.

For further information, contact Geoff East on 07804 297041/ Geast@nottswt.co.uk.