There are a wide range of exciting events taking place in Nottinghamshire’s country parks this month offering the family a great value for money day out.

They include a ‘mini-miner’ event this Saturday and a Steam Heritage Day on Sunday, both at Bestwood Country Park. At the Steam Heritage Day, people can take a look around the Bestwood Winding Engine House.

Meanwhile, on September 13 and 14, Sherwood Forest hosts the Major Oak Woodland Festival to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of being granted Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI status), with a bat walk and mini-beast day this weekend.

And at Rufford Abbey country park, Sergeant Tobias Ringwood of The Notts and Derby Regiment, pays a visit on September 21, with an On the Home Front – 1940s Living History Weekend being held on September 27 and 28.

These are some of the leisure events taking place. There are also some specialist artistic workshops taking place at Rufford Craft Centre. More details of all events and activities can be found on the county council website: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson. People can also sign up to the Email Me service to find out more details about forthcoming events.

Bestwood Country Park, Park Road, Bestwood Village, Nottingham
‘Mini-Miners’ Saturday
6 September, 10am – 12pm, Free event. In addition to our usual activities for children at the Dynamo House, under fives can ‘tunnel for coal’ and older ones can join in the hunt for mining objects around the site. For more information contact Bestwood Heritage Development Officers on 0115 976 2422.
Steam Heritage Day

7 September , 11am – 4pm Free event This popular event now in its second year aims to give youngsters a chance to see ‘living steam’ in action and experience the ‘smell’ and ‘sounds’ of a bygone era. Take a ride on a miniature steam traction engine (small donations to specified charities welcome) or learn about barn engines and miniature steam engines. Listen to the miniature fairground organ or take a pony ride. Enjoy tasty light refreshments from the community run Dynamo House Café or take a free tour of the restored Bestwood Winding Engine House.

Bestwood Village Poppy Walk
13 September, 2pm – 5pm Free entry, £2.50 or £1.50 for concessions for the tea. A contemplative ‘Poppy Walk’, followed by a traditional 1914 tea and performance by actor Becky Matter, who will be sharing the hidden stories of Gedling Armed Forces families, village life and loss during the Great War. Booking is essential as numbers are limited – call Gedling Borough Council on 0115 901 3715. The event is in partnership with Bestwood Village WI, Gedling Borough Council and Friends of Bestwood Country Park. The walks are suitable for all ages. Come suitably dressed for the weather and with robust footwear for walking.

Wednesday Health Walk
17 September , 10:30am Free event Would you like to improve your fitness whilst making new friends in lovely countryside surroundings? Then wellbeing walks are for you! Long proven to be one of the best forms of exercise to improve body and mind, this series of invigorating yet gentle, 90 minute walks are designed to do both. So join us – you don’t have to book, just turn up. Plus they are free events so you can even bring along friends and family! Meet at the Winding Engine House Car Park. For further information contact Sue McDonald: 0115 9753782. Due to the terrain and the nature of some events good mobility may be required. Please telephone in advance to discuss your needs. Under 18s should be accompanied by an adult.

The Wind Up Mining Heritage Bus Tour
21 September, 10am – 5pm Free event Leaving from the DH Lawrence Heritage Centre at Eastwood the tour will call at various Nottinghamshire coalmining heritage sites including Brinsley Headstocks, Pleasley Colliery site (refreshment stop), Clipstone headstocks, Papplewick Pumping Station (to view the former Linby Colliery Robey winding engine in steam), on to Bestwood Winding Engine House (refreshment stop) and finally back to Eastwood. Places are limited on what promises to be a popular event. Advanced booking necessary by contacting the Heritage Development Officers at Bestwood WEH on 0115 9762422 or [email protected]

Swan Canaries
27 September 7.00pm Tickets £5 Arletty Theatre’s musical tale of Polly Barton, a shell-filler at Chilwell. The ‘Canary Girls’ sing their way through adversity until the terrible day war comes to Chilwell. Celebrate the bravery of the Canary Girls of World War I. Be prepared to join in the singing! Places will be limited. To book in advance contact [email protected] or call 0115 976 2422

Rufford Abbey Country Park, Ollerton, Nottinghamshire
Yoga In The Park
7 September, 10am – 11am Cost £6. £3 car parking charge. Come and experience Yoga in the great outdoors, on the beautiful lawns of Rufford Abbey Country Park with yogadawn. In the event of wet weather, classes will be held in the atmospheric Undercroft. This is a mixed ability class with beginners very welcome. Please bring a yoga mat or exercise mat and layers of clothing, vest, t-shirt, sweatshirt with jogging bottoms are recommended. To book your place contact: Dawn 07941 206952. [email protected] or for information on other sessions visit www.yogadawn.me.uk
Meet outside the Savile Restaurant at 9.45am

Brass Band Sunday – Blidworth Band
7 September, 2pm – 4pm Cost £3 car parking charge. There is no finer way to spend a Sunday afternoon than to relax and listen to a traditional brass band. The final band in this year’s ‘Brass Band Sunday’ programme is the Blidworth Band who will be performing in the Coach House courtyard against the impressive backdrop of the Jacobean wing of the Abbey. Please bring a chair (some chairs will be provided) relax, make yourself comfortable and listen to the band. Please note: in the event of wet weather the performance will go ahead in the Rufford Marquee. Suitable for wheelchair users.

Rufford Art Society Sale
7 September, 10:30am – 4pm Cost £3 car parking charge. Following on from successful exhibitions throughout the year the talented Rufford Art Society’s members are holding a sale of their work under cover in the marquee at Rufford Abbey Country Park. There will be a wide range of items including paintings, prints, felt work, ceramics and jewellery for sale, so please come along and support this local group of artists.

Funky, Fun Needle Felting
13 September, 10am – 1pm Cost £30 Needle felting is easy and addictive. Use a variety of techniques in a fun workshop suitable for all. For full programme and booking advice please visit the Rufford Craft Centre page of Nottinghamshire County Council’s website, www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

Upholstery for Beginners
13 September, 10am – 4:30pm Cost £65 plus materials used (approx £10). Bring your own chair and fabric and learn the craft of traditional upholstery. For full programme and booking advice please visit the Rufford Craft Centre page of Nottinghamshire County Council’s website, www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

Mosaics and Textiles
20 September, 10:30am – 4:30pm Cost £60 Create dynamic, beautiful mosaics in this unique workshop, use simple but effective techniques. For full programme and booking advice please visit the Rufford Craft Centre page of Nottinghamshire County Council’s website, www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

Nottingham Ukulele Orchestra
20 September, 2pm – 4pm Cost£3 car parking charge. Please come along and help us give the very popular Nottingham Ukulele Orchestra a warm welcome for their first ever engagement at Rufford Abbey Country Park taking place against the impressive backdrop of the Jacobean wing of the Abbey. Please bring a chair (some chairs will be provided) relax, make yourself comfortable and listen to the orchestra. Please note: in the event of wet weather the performance will go ahead in the Rufford marquee. Suitable for wheelchair users.

Tobias Ringwood – WW1 Recruiting Sergeant
21 September, 11am – 4pm Cost £3 car parking charge. Take a step back in time to 1914. Britain has gone to war and is enlarging its armies. Remember ‘Your Country Needs You’. In the Courtyard at Rufford Abbey Country Park, Sergeant Tobias Ringwood of The Notts and Derby Regiment is waiting to convince you to enlist. He will show you the latest weapons in use by our forces and also some enemy equipment captured by his Regiment. Let the Sergeant persuade you that an army life is the life for you. Suitable for wheelchair users.

On the Home Front – 1940s Living History Weekend
27 September – 28 September, 11am – 4:30pm Free event, £5 car parking. Music, song, dance, fashion show, entertainments, “air raid”, military displays and living history, civilian life, vehicles and much more!

Beautiful Bowls and Colourful Curves Glass Art
28 September, 10:30am – 4pm Cost £62. This is your chance to create a unique sculptural form, dish or bowl using images and colours that inspire you.

Sherwood Forest Country Park, near Edwinstowe
During 2014 Sherwood Forest is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee – it is 60 years since this amazingly wildlife rich area was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. In recognition of this anniversary we are running a series of events throughout the year celebrating the area’s diversity and introducing you to some of Sherwood’s natural treasures and conservation awards.

Bat Walk, 6 September
8:30pm – 9:30pm Cost £5 per person. Did you know that a Pipistrelle Bat can devour over 3,000 midges a night and baby bats cling to their mothers when mum flies in search of food? Join a Ranger on this evening walk to learn more about the bats of Sherwood Forest and their association with the world famous Ancient Oaks. This event will involve a gentle stroll of approximately 1.5 miles and finishes in the dark. Please bring a low powered torch and insect repellent is recommended. Places are limited so pre-booking is essential on 01623 823202.

Mini-Beast Day
7 September , 11am – 4pm Cost £3 car parking charge. Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve is world famous for its ancient oaks but did you know over 1,500 different invertebrates and 250 species of spiders have also been recorded on site. Why not come along to this event and get involved with a mini-beast hunt under the guidance of the ranger staff and local experts Trevor and Dilys Pendleton. All equipment will be provided and guidance given to identifying insects found on the day. Don’t forget your camera and please wear suitable clothing and footwear as those nettles really can sting! Suitable for wheelchair users

Major Oak Woodland Festival
13 September – 14 September
11am – 4pm Cost £3 car parking charge Join us for the first Major Oak Woodland Festival taking place in the ancient and magical woodland of the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve. Come along to this two day family event which is pushchair and wheelchair friendly, and try your hand at various country crafts. Meet windsor chair makers, charcoal producers, wood turners, knife, wooden toy and furniture makers, archaeologists, conservation organisations, Friends of Groups, and of course the Wild Man of the Woods. There will also be modern day forestry machinery demonstrations. Craft items, tools courtesy of Ray Iles (The Old Tool Store), wooden turning blanks and timber will be available to purchase. Please note: the above demonstrators and activities may be subject to change. For further information call 01623 823202.

Medieval Knight Hospitalier
20 September, 12pm – 4pm Cost £3 car parking charge. Meet medieval Knight Hospitalier Justin De Frais as he rests for a while after his long journey back from the Holy Land. Listen to his tales of blood, gore and adventure!

The Legend Comes To Life
21 September, 12pm – 4pm Cost £3 car parking charge. Hear tales of daring exploits and marvel at the skills of the medieval archer in the shadow of the mighty Major Oak, where Robin himself learnt to shoot.

Nocturnal Nature
27 September, 7pm – 9pm Cost £5 per person Join our Ranger team as we investigate the night time happenings at Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve, from bats to badgers we will try to find and see those elusive creatures of the dark. This event involves a walk of approximately two miles finishing in the dark and a reasonable degree of physical fitness is required. Please bring a low powered torch. Sorry no dogs allowed and this event is not suitable for young children. Places are limited so please call 01623 823202 to book. Not suitable for wheelchair users

Outlaw Obstacle Course
28 September, 11am – 4pm. Cost £3 car parking charge. If you want to join Robin Hood and his outlaws in Sherwood you will need to prove that you can survive. Life is hard in the forest. The rangers have set up an obstacle course and you will need to navigate yourself round it and complete tasks along the way, shoot arrows at the sheriffs’ men and make it to the end, battle against the clock or just for fun, but don’t hang around or you will be caught! Not suitable for wheelchair users

The Legend Lives On!
28 September, 12pm, 2pm and 3:30pm Cost£3 car parking charge. Come along to Sherwood today and meet some of the colourful costumed characters from the Oakwood Outlaws. Be amazed as the lads and lasses demonstrate their medieval combat skills ‘up close and personal under the Major Oak’!