The BBC is bringing a taste of the popular Springwatch TV programme to the East Midlands on Sunday June 4th. Inspired by the themes of nature, conservation and the environment visitors will be able to sample from a wide range of exhibitors and hands-on activities. Local wildlife groups will be on hand to talk about their work with creatures such as foxes, badgers, bats and dragon flies. Get close to nature Youngsters will get their chance to try feeding young goats, pond-dipping, mask making, bird watching, insect spotting and following a nature trail through the grounds of one of the East Midlands' most beautiful historic homes.  | | Learn how to make a bat box |
Entertainers and story-tellers will be visiting the site to inspire visitors both young and old. Organisations whose work will be featured include Derwent Into Gardening, the mid-Derbyshire Badger Group, Derby Hedgehog Rescue, Normanton Regeneration (who run the BBC Radio Derby allotment), Groundwork Cresswell and the RSPB. Derbyshire Probation Service will be demonstrating how they build bat and bird boxes which are given away to local wildlife projects. Live broadcast BBC Radio Derby will be broadcasting live from the event and there is a chance to quiz the experts at a Gardeners Question Time as well as browse the Springwatch website on the BBC Bus. The setting for Springwatch is Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire, the ancestral home of the poet Lord Byron. The Abbey lies on the main A60 Nottingham to Mansfield road, close to junctions 26 and 27 of the M1. Entry - which includes access to the historic house and gardens - is free. There is a parking charge of £3 per vehicle. Springwatch is open between 11am and 5pm. Access Please note: Wheelchair users may have problems accessing the Springwatch site. The exhibition is on meadowland to the rear of the house and the grass surface may prove difficult for some users. There is disabled parking available on the site close to the main event area. Most of Newstead Abbey's formal gardens are accessible by wheelchair. | 
