An autumn celebration of Ryde’s Appley Park on 8th October was bathed in sunshine from start to finish.
With hundreds of people attending, the green area of Appley saw residents taking part in activities such as tree climbing, ink making using oak galls with Ryde Arts, story-telling and nature crafts.
The first activity of the day was a Fungus Foray around the park led by Colin Pope of the Isle of Wight Natural History and Archaeological Society.
Natural history experts Bird Aware Solent and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust were on hand throughout the day. The star of the day was a baby hedgehog brought to the park by Save our Hedgehogs Isle of Wight.
Appley Tower Players
On the seafront Appley Tower was open and the Appley Tower Players performed ‘Where there’s a Will there’s a way”.
The day also saw an exhibition of local young people’s work created for the Tour of Britain help at Ryde Rowing Club.
Clay sculptures
An Appley Park Sculpture Trail was created on the day with event-goers using clay and natural materials to create faces on tree trunks. With over 40 faces made, locals are urged to head back into the top of the park to see how many faces they can spot.
Fox: Appley Day is all about enjoying our beautiful green space
Friends of Appley organised the day, Abi Fox from the organisation said,
“The support from our local community has – as always – been brilliant. 2nd Ryde Sea Scouts helped out and we were thrilled to have Oakfield CE Primary School with us.
“Appley Day is all about enjoying our beautiful green space – to see people exploring parts of the park that were new to them and enjoying the activities on a sunny autumn day was very special.
“We’d like to say thanks to Ryde Town Council and Ryde Business Association for their support.”
Friends of Appley are looking for new members to join the group. If you have a love of the natural environment and would like to volunteer to support the park and local community please message via the Facebook page or message via the website.
News shared by Abi on behalf of Friends of Appley. Ed
