Enjoying the great outdoors!

With an improvement in the weather - it has been good to get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.

I visited the Isle of Grain yesterday for a stroll around a section of woodland in Grain Coastal Park.

Grain Coastal Park is a great place to visit with many different types of walk offered - walks to suit all preferences.

The nearest public toilet is in Lower Stoke (Grain Road).

Enjoy!
 

The Dutch Raid and more!

With the 350th anniversary of the 1667 Dutch Raid on the River Medway being commemorated in June, don’t miss monthly guided walks at Grain Coastal Park (and take a look at some of the damage caused to the village church by raiding Dutch seamen).

In the company of volunteer Michael Dale (a member of the Friends of Grain Coastal Park), pictured above, the walks offer the opportunity to get out and about in the fresh air and to learn more about our local history.

There's lots to explore at Grain Coastal Park - enjoy!

  

Seeing old Friends at Grain Coastal Park

I visited Grain Coastal Park last weekend and bumped into my old volunteering colleague Michael Dale.

Michael is now a leading-light in the park’s Friends group – a group of volunteers (mainly residents from the Isle of Grain) who spend many hours each week working hard looking after this increasingly popular and vast open space.

The Friends of Grain Coastal Park group has gone from strength to strength since it was created back in January 2012, following a successful community project undertaken by the Kent Wildlife Trust throughout 2011, in collaboration with St. James, Isle of Grain, Parish Council.  Those early project sessions were lots of fun and very interesting.

Michael and his volunteer colleagues have spent considerable time creating many great walks for visitors to enjoy.  In the noticeboard at the main car park (at the end of High Street, ME3 0BS) you will find a detailed map of the park showing all the walks.

If you’re looking to burn off some Christmas calories this weekend or during the festive period, or would simply like to get out of the house and enjoy fresh air and great views of the Essex coast and Isle of Sheppey – pop along to Grain Coastal Park.

  

Guided tours of Grain Coastal Park

My old friend Michael Dale, who served as Police Officer on the Hoo Peninsula from 1966 to 1992, is very busy these days organising guided tours of our fabulous Grain Coastal Park.

Having been involved with the Friends of Grain Coastal Park in their formative period, it’s great to see that so many improvements have now been made to enhance and improve the foreshore and surrounding countryside.

The guided tours are an excellent way to learn more about the history of Grain and its fascinating military past.

Last year the guided tours attracted 165 people - well done Michael and to everyone else involved.

  

Volunteer at Grain Coastal Park (Sunday 16 February 2014)

The next opportunity to volunteer at Grain Coastal Park will be on Sunday 16 February.

The Friends of Grain Coastal Park will meet at 10am at The Pavilion Car Park (Pintail Close, Isle of Grain, ME3 0DW).

Find out more about the work of The Friends of Grain Coastal Park by clicking here.

  

Village Voices for the Isle of Grain (Issue 1)

The very first edition of Grain Village Voices has been produced and is now available online. This new bi-monthly publication is produced in partnership with St. James, Isle of Grain, Parish Council. Take a look by clicking the image below, which will take you to the editions page on the Village Voices website - then click ‘Issue 1’.

This edition includes reports and news from the Parish Council, a detailed update about the excellent work undertaken by The Friends of the Isle of Grain Coastal Park, an item from Glenn McWatt (Vicar of Grain with Stoke), exciting news about the coming Showin’ Grain pantomime and lots more local and parish information.

Take a look at the Village Voices website by clicking here.

Let’s keep it local - let’s support our excellent community mags!
  

Take a trip to Grain Coastal Park

If you’d like to experience our dramatic local landscape, you’re definitely spoilt for choice on the Hoo Peninsula.

The much improved Grain Coastal Park is a great place to begin and it’s perfect for appreciating some of the history and character of the Hoo Peninsula.

Enthusiastic volunteers have undertaken huge amounts of improvement work over the last couple of years, firstly as part of a Kent Wildlife Trust project and then in the form of the Friends of Grain Coastal Park volunteer group - set up specifically to promote and improve the park. The site is owned by the St. James Isle of Grain Parish Council.

I had a great time at Grain on Sunday afternoon, walking from one end of the park to the other, exploring many new and existing walks, paths and seating / viewing areas. The place is looking stunning and volunteers have done a remarkable job.

Take a look at the Friends of Grain Coastal Park website by clicking here. You’ll find details of organised walks planned for May, June and July - led by volunteer and local Parish Councillor Michael Dale.

Enjoy!

  

Get involved at Grain Coastal Park

I've had many happy times volunteering on the Isle of Grain with the very successful Friends of Grain Coastal Park group.

They're a great bunch and are completely devoted to making sure the parkland can be enjoyed by everyone.

The Friends group meet every month and the next volunteering session is this Sunday (19 May), from 10am. Take a look at the poster below to find out more.

 
If all this sounds a little too strenuous for you, please pop over to Grain for a leisurely stroll around Grain Coastal Park and enjoy one of the most dramatic foreshores in the area.

You won't be disappointed!

The website for the Friends of Grain Coastal Park can be viewed by clicking here.
 

Pride in Medway, and pride in the Hoo Peninsula!

It’s really great to see two local groups nominated for Pride in Medway awards this year. And, both have been nominated within the ‘Green Champion’ category.

Well done to the Hoo Clean Up volunteers, who litter pick in Hoo every month, and to the Friends of Grain Coastal Park, who have carried out many environmental improvements at Grain Coastal Park.

I know both groups very well, and they deserve recognition for the excellent work they undertake on behalf of their communities.

The next Hoo Clean Up will take place on Saturday 23 February. If you’d like to get involved - they will meet at 9.30am in Hoo Village Square (the raised platform area). The Hoo Clean Ups are usually held on the last Saturday of each month. More information can be obtained by phoning the Clean Up Co-Ordinator Michael Pearce on 07919 693 095.

The Friends of Grain Coastal Park usually meet on the third Sunday of the month, at 10am, and they set out from St. James Pavilion, Pintail Close, Isle of Grain, ME3 0DW. To find out more about what they’re up to, get in touch by sending an email here.

  

Good luck to the Hoo Clean Up volunteers and the Friends of Grain Coastal Park - hopefully you'll get through to the final stage of the Pride in Medway awards!

  

Get your hands dirty at Grain Coastal Park!

The Friends of Grain Coastal Park meet every month at Grain foreshore, regardless of weather conditions, to improve facilities and the local environment of Grain Coastal Park.

The dedicated team of local volunteers have worked hard to formalise walking routes, establish seating areas and generally make the place look more attractive to visitors and local residents - and they have done a fantastic job!

I recently met up with Jacqie Valentine (below), from the Friends group, who was keen to promote the last opportunity of the year to lend a hand. The session will begin at 10am tomorrow (Sunday 18 November) - meeting at St. James Pavilion, Pintail Close, Isle of Grain, ME3 0DW.

I’ll add more information about their 2013 activity dates soon, but they normally meet on the third Sunday of each month. In the meantime - well done to all those involved with the Friends of Grain Costal Park group for being nominated for a Pride in Medway Award!
 

Volunteering at Grain Coastal Park (Sunday 20 May 2012)

The next volunteering activity day at Grain Coastal Park is this Sunday (20 May), from 10am.

Click the poster below to find out more.

To find out more about the Friends of Grain Coastal Park, or to get involved with volunteering, come along on Sunday - you’ll be made very welcome.

Let's hope it doesn't rain!

  

Volunteering at Grain Coastal Park (Sunday 15 April 2012)

The next volunteering activity day at Grain Coastal Park is this Sunday (15 April), from 10am.

Click the poster below to find out more.

Those who come along to lend a hand will spend time clearing and cutting back a wooded walk - adding to the growing number of walks now available within the park.

To find out more about the Friends of Grain Coastal Park, or to get involved with volunteering, come along on Sunday - you’ll be made very welcome.

Let's hope it doesn't rain!