The Singleton Environment Centre opened at the end of May 2008 and provides a full and imaginative programme of activities catering for people of all ages from both the local community and visitors to Ashford.

Come along to the Open Day on Saturday 2 August from 10am to 4pm. The event will include pond-dipping, home composting demonstrations, guided walks in the nearby community woodland and practical conservation tasks.

Visitors will also be able to make bird boxes and 'bug boxes' to take homes, join a 'fun with fabrics' workshop and take part in face painting and nail painting sessions. Admission is free.

The centre serves as a local attraction and environmental education resource for local primary schools and a growing number of environmental groups and projects in the borough.

As well as being a focus for environmental activity, the centre will be a venue for arts, entertainment and community events, alternative health and fitness classes, rooms for hire and a café and bistro, Footprints, run by Singleton residents Neville Robinson and Caroline Shier.

The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) run the centre on behalf of Ashford Borough Council.

Ashford Borough Council is grateful to the Ashford Community Woodland Group who have actively supported this project since its inception. Both Ashford Borough Council and BTCV look forward to continuing working closely with the group now the centre is up and running.

The following organisations have contributed towards the project:

• Ashford Borough Council
• Ashford Community Woodland Group
• Barwick
• Biffaward
• Channel Corridor Partnership
• Communities and Local Government
• Hillreed Homes
• Heritage Lottery Fund
• Kent County Council
• Redrow Homes
• Rail Link Countryside Initiative (RLCI)

Progress Photos