THE FRIENDS OF THE WICK COUNTRY PARK (FoWCP)
Who are we?
We are a very friendly group of volunteers who work enthusiastically alongside the staff from Basildon Borough Council, with the purpose of meeting the aims and objectives listed below. The Friends of the Wick Country Park organisation was first formed as the Park was created, and first met as a group in 2005. At present there is a committee of five enthusiastic people who give as much time as they can, working alongside the Council's representatives, to further develop the WCP and to encourage the community to enjoy its facilities and the diversity of its wildlife habitats. We are always pleased to welcome new members, including new Committee Members.The 'Friends' organise events that aim to see the Park enjoyed by as many people as possible. Each of our events and projects is planned to support one or more of these objectives. Our ethos is to provide free events, many of which include a quiz that requires the children to search the event arena looking for clues. There is often a related craft activity and refreshments are provided in the pavilion. At some events charities and businesses are invited to run stalls.
A plea for help ......
We still have a chronic shortage of active supporters to plan and run our events. Unless we attract significant additional support to manage the Future Events Programme, we are likely to continue to adopt a 'low profile' well into 2022. If you have enjoyed our past events, or have ideas for future different events, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do volunteer to help to make them happen! Please visit the Volunteering page to read about ways in which you can become involved with the Friends' group, or contact us for more insight into what would be involved.Aims and Objectives
Our Constitution lists our Objectives as:Annual Reports ....
What better way to summarise what the Friends Group is all about? Please read our recent annual Chair's Reports - for 2020 and 2021, for 2019, for 2018, for 2017, for 2016 and for 2015.Our 'Skylarks' Archive
We produce a quarterly newsletter - called The Skylark - for all registered members of The Friends of The Wick Country Park. Back-numbers of the publication are available as an archive on this website, and collectively they provide a blow-by-blow account of the Development of the Park and of the activities of the Friends Group. To access this archive please click here (Updated on Monday, 25-Sep-2023 21:12:50 BST ).Grants and Projects
As well as organising events at the Park, we also seek financial backing for more significant developments. Please click here to read about some of our past projects. (Updated on Wednesday, 06-Apr-2022 22:31:20 BST )Why not become a member?
Please click here to read more about the benefits of membership and to download a membership form.Downloadable Information Leaflet
You can download our one-page summary leaflet about the Wick Country Park here. Our grateful thanks to staff at the Wickford branch of Temme English Estate Agents, who sponsored the printing of, and delivered, the original version of this leaflet.Some Pictures from our Archives - Some of our Events and Projects
Our biggest event has been Paws in the Park. This event was a fun dog-show, held at the beginning of June. It was always very popular, and one year it attracted 700 people and nearly as many dogs! Sadly, Paws has been suspended since 2019 due to a shortage of volunteers to organise and run it.
Nature Quest in August was a nature discovery day aimed at families and included very popular pond-dipping and bug-hunting activities. Sadly, Nature Quest has been suspended since 2019 due to a shortage of volunteers to organise and run it.
The annual Kite Festival was usually held in the middle of September and was a great attraction for all ages. Everyone loved to see the huge kites soaring in the sky over the lake. Instructions and materials were provided so anyone could make their own kite, which was guaranteed to fly. Sadly, The Kite Festival has been suspended since 2019 due to a shortage of volunteers to organise and run it .
The 'Friends' also applied for grants and held fund-raising events such as Quiz nights. With money raised we have purchased 5 picnic tables to encourage people to stay longer, two notice boards (to inform the public of what is going on in the park), 3 large gazebos (to provide shelter from the sun/rain), 11 rustic benches, 2 owl boxes, and nature investigating equipment (such as sweep nets, magnifying pots and clipboards)
Supported by grants from Veolia Pitsea Marshes Trust and the Diamond Jubilee Celebration Grant the 'Friends' have been able to reline the dipping pond. This work enabled it to support a wider range of animals and plants and also be ready for organised groups of youngsters to pond dip.
