Sue Godfrey Nature Park Fete: Sunshine, Wildlife and Wader Wanging


 

We were delighted to welcome more than 150 people at Sue Godfrey Nature Park for this year’s fete. There was sunshine, a rescued jay supervising proceedings, homemade cake that sold out, and, naturally, a fiercely contested game of wader wanging.

 
From the moment the gazebos went up, the park was buzzing. Visitors tried their hand at knot-tying with Alf, got creative with nature-inspired badge making, learnt about the historic Deptford Ragged School and took home seedlings and seeds to grow themselves.           

 

    Out in the park, there was plenty to discover. Although the first wildflower walk of the day was a little quiet, our surveys recorded more than 50 species in flower, including woad, goat’s-beard, hoary mustard and horseradish. The warm weather also brought out plenty of butterflies, with sightings including small copper, brown argus and green hairstreak.

 

One of the day’s biggest attractions wasn’t on the programme at all. A rescued jay spent much of the fete perched on a buggy, calmly watching visitors come and go as if overseeing the whole event. Nicknamed “Jay-Z”, he quickly became a favourite with visitors and volunteers alike.

Bug hunting was as popular as ever, with young explorers enthusiastically searching for mini-beasts around the park. Later in the afternoon, Paddy gathered children and adults beneath the trees for stories and music before somehow finding himself leading a trail of followers back to the raffle draw. Comparisons to the Pied Piper were unavoidable.

      

 

     

Back at the Creekside gazebo, the homemade cakes, brownies and savoury treats proved as popular as ever. By the end of the afternoon there was little left but crumbs.

Of course, no Sue Godfrey fete would be complete without the legendary Wader Wanging Championship. Competitors young and old stepped up to test their throwing skills, with some impressively accurate attempts and plenty of laughter from the sidelines.

 

The day finished with our raffle draw before volunteers packed away, compared notes on their favourite moments and finally put their feet up after a busy but brilliant day.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered, baked, donated, ran activities, bought raffle tickets or simply came along and spent the day with us.

We’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year. Until then, enjoy the photos and our highlights reel from a brilliant day at the park.

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Remembering Jill Goddard >

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