A February full of fun...
Free events to be held this month
You can explore the unique heritage in and around Chatelherault Country Park at some free, family-friendly events this month.
The programme – A Celebration of the Land – focuses on connecting communities in Hamilton, Larkhall and Quarter.
All of the events celebrate the landscape and cultural heritage, and include workshops, traditional music and song, garland making, walks, sculpture and folk tradition.
It is all part of the Make Your Way arts, heritage and active travel project from the Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership.
Ross Wylie, Make Your Way project officer, said: “These events are a playful range of activities inspired by the unique natural and local heritage of Chatelherault, and by the fantastic enthusiasm of local groups.
“Come along to any or all of the events over the weekend and experience the pathways into Chatelherault like never before. There is a lot on offer to inspire and engage in this unmatchable landscape.”
There will be three events on Saturday, February 24, surrounding the wassail of Larkhall and Quarter.
A ‘wassail’ involves traditional music, song and a toast to celebrate the coming of spring.
A workshop will take place from 11am to 12.30pm at Quarter Bowling Club where you can make decorative walking sticks and spring garlands as well as learn wassail songs. Hot drinks will be provided. Then a wassail walk will leave the bowling club at 12.30pm and arrive in Larkhall at 2pm, stopping on the way on the Green Bridge trail at Chatelherault for hot drinks and apple turnovers.
It all concludes from 2pm to 4pm at the Applebank Inn, Millheugh, where you can enjoy traditional music, songs and hot apple wassail.
Further events will take place on Sunday, February 25.
An arboreal walk will begin at Duke’s Monument, Barncluith, and last from 1pm to 5pm.
Explore the trails and woodland with your own map and warm yourself by a fire pit with a hot drink.
A workshop will be held at the Green Bridge in Chatelherault Country Park from 11.30am to 1.30pm, where you can create a totem and get dressed up in green foliage.
And from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, the Green Bridge will host a ‘human symphony’ performance event that uses ready-made instruments, noise makers and people’s voices to celebrate the vitality and growth of the coming spring.
You can also go to a ‘Spring Forward Workshop’ in the car park behind Covan Burn at the top of Old Avon Road, Hamilton, between 2pm and 3.30pm.
People can make a ‘ball of sunlight’ to celebrate spring, using recycled materials, between 2pm and 3pm. Then from 3pm to 3.30pm, a walk will leave Covan Burn and head to the firepit at Duke’s Monument.
All events are free. Register interest by calling Ross Wylie at 0141 237 8592, or click ‘attending’ on the Facebook events at www.facebook.com/ Clydeandavonvalley.