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Whispers Of Chalk Stream

Vole Picnic

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‘A revelation of what lies beneath with, in and throughout the environment.’

‘The vole picnic was beautifully curated combining information, image, play activities - creative and scientific.’

‘Another splendid evening so relaxing informative and joyful.’

Summer Evening view

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What a view! The Vole Picnic provided the ideal opportunity to celebrate our beautiful chalk stream and wonderful wildlife.


On Wednesday 12th June Attention2place extended an invitation to pause with chalk stream on a  summer evening and come along to Bishop’s Sutton Village Hall as part of the Whispers of Chalk  Stream project. 


The village hall provided the perfect setting, and the weather was kind. We were  delighted to be joined by village residents and visitors from beyond the village to join in the fun!

Chalk Stream Displays

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Chalk stream displays from the evening

Trail Camera

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Helen Clarke and Ian Diver welcomed participants and shared footage from their trail camera surveys. They thanked the various landowners (in particular the Mills and Pettit-Mills family) for kind permission to access the chalk stream

Fun and Relaxation!

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Although signs of water voles have been found in the village, the creatures themselves continue to evade our wildlife cameras. So, for now, we designed our own …

Creating Vole Puppets

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The Bishop’s Sutton vole community!

A Story Of Small Beauties

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Inspired by the ‘The Joy Bringers’ by Karin Celestine, Sharon shared a tale of finding the small,  everyday beauties in the Bishop’s Sutton locality.

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The Joy Bringers, a tale of the turning year

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Tales of Bishop’s Sutton

Fun In The Evening Sun

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Story themed activities occupied the young at heart.


A chalk stream treasure hunt, roll a vole game and vole photo frame fun.

A Sunset Picnic

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Thank you to all contributors and participants – what an entertaining and enjoyable evening! 


What did the participants learn? 

How wonderful the wildlife is down by the chalk stream; it’s alive with life. 

Otters are here in Bishop’s Sutton. 

About nature and about all the small mammals that live in the stream 

The animals and wildlife in and around stream 

There were more species than I knew of living in the village. I've learnt new names of flora and fauna. 

Community unity 

More than one type of duck in the stream. 

I am over-awed by the reach and depth of the project. The chalk stream has taken on a new life for me. 

The chalk stream is now a metaphor for how life could be lived better by us all!!! 


What new actions will you take for wildlife?

Use Inaturalist with my primary school. 

Take photos for INaturalist 

Plant wildflowers and leave a wild patch in the garden 

Looking out for more wildlife and enjoying our chalk stream 

Stop and pause to appreciate and learn what plants and animals I shared my village with. 

To appreciate the small things! 

Pay more attention to the different species around us. 

The trail camera footage over the course of this project has revealed astonishing still and video images of heron/ water rail/ otter / vole/egret / so many amazing residents. 


Any other comments

Winter Spring and Summer ‘Watches’ at the chalk stream in Bishop’s Sutton. 

Brilliant enthusiastic people in a fun friendly environment 

Lovely event - thank you 

Had an amazing, very interesting evening 

Very tasty scones 

The community attending enjoyed hospitality- of delicious treats, summer fruits and drinks. The treasure hunt was a lot of fun with prompts and provocaWons to make us all connect, make  observations and to wonder at the very small and bigger life along the chalk stream.

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