Countryside rangers are inviting people to celebrate the coming of spring at a special event at the Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve next month.

They will be leading a guided walk on Thursday 19 March, 2015, showcasing the many different plants, birds, insects and animals which can be found in the valley's 150 acres of woodland and meadows.

The walk is free and takes place from 10am to 12pm. All ages are welcome though children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please bring suitable clothing and footwear.

Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure and Communities, Councillor Elias Mattu, said: "Spring is a lovely time of year, as we start to come out of the dark days of winter and nature comes back to life. This guided ramble around the beautiful Smestow Valley will give you a chance to get up close and personal with a wide range of flora and fauna."

The Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve is owned and maintained by Wolverhampton City Council. It follows a south westerly route from Oxley to Wightwick along the disused Wolverhampton to Kingswinford and Stourbridge railway line. Passenger trains ran for just 7 years from 1925 to 1932, though a goods service continued until 1965 when Dr Beeching axed the route.

The event is free and for more information, please call 01902 552351 or log on to the Type=links;Linkid=5584;Title=Smestow Valley's Facebook page;Target=_blank;.

  • released: Wednesday 25 February, 2015