Golden Vally nature reserve

GOLDEN VALLEY NATURE RESERVE

Golden Valley Nature Reserve in Wick is a beautiful woodland walk that not a lot of people know about. It’s got some incredible views of the quarry (that’s mostly been filled with water) and the valley. The valley used to be full of industrial activity, mining ochre and iron. But now it’s an 8.8-hectare haven for wildlife, with mature woodland and a natural green corridor.

Parking at Wick Village Hall is no longer available, so there are very limited places to park, so if you drive to the area, always park considerately and legally. If there is nowhere safe or legal to park, please come back another time. The main entrance of the walk is at the end of Golden Valley Road. There are a couple of trails to explore at Golden Valley Nature Reserve: • The Red Ochre Trail (1.35 miles) is fully accessible to wheelchairs and easy to walk. Just off the path, deposits of glittering red ochre which still coat some of the derelict structures of the old ochre works glitter red in the sunlight (warning: it can stain clothes). After a little walk, you will come to the picturesque old weir and a small waterfall cascading down into a deep pool. A haven for wildlife, you might even spot some crayfish! In the summer, the water level can get very low, so it may be suitable for your pup to splash around. But in the cooler months, the stream can get very fast and deep (up to 10 foot), so please use caution and make sure your pup is under control and doesn’t go in the river. We were lucky enough to visit in summer where Bella and other dogs got a chance to splash in the water. Leaving the weir, continue on the Red Ochre Trail following the circular, marked route back to the bridge, passing the outdoor classroom on the way.

• The Raven’s Rock Trail is very steep and rocky (wear trainers or good shoes), but it has the rewarding views of the Wick Quarry and the Cotswold Hills. Simply follow the Red Ochre Trail, and when you reach the weir, walk up the steps to go on to The Raven’s Rock Trail. We would highly recommend dogs on a lead when climbing the steep Raven’s Rock Trail as there are sheer edges just off the path. When you’re sure your pup is safely on a lead, continue uphill, where you will see spectacular views of the quarry lake. You can follow this trail around to take you past Folly Arch and through fields before it starts to loop back around.

Dogs are asked to be on a lead, as the reserve is a former ochre processing industrial site and as a result, there are some hidden metal corrugated sheets and metal spikes on site. Although we have removed much of the metal work, each year the Friends Group seem to uncover more dangerous items. The second reason is to try and prevent dogs from entering the river. Again, hidden metalwork can be found in the river bed, as the factory once spanned the River Boyd. Another reason is that the results of river surveys in the reserve have indicated a drop in the number of aquatic invertebrates present. OVER 30’s DANCE PARTY at the superb BAWA Club, Filton on the FIRST Friday of EVERY MONTH (except No Dance in JAN or AUG and the APRIL DANCE is on FRI 14th) It’s The Ideal Night Out For The 30 * 40 * 50 * 60 Age Range. Come and Dance Amongst A Friendly Lively Crowd. Enjoy A Good Mix of Music, Dancing Thru’ the Decades including some Motown and Soul Favourites. Club times are 9 ‘til 1 (last entry 11pm) – Very Smart Casual NO Tee Shirts or Trainers & Gents are Required To Wear Collared Shirts. Dance adm £8

For more Info call 07860578708 or go to www.mingles.co.uk Facebook: Luv2mingle

Make your own ginger and mint syrup beforehand, then use to make this easy whisky cocktail Juicy watermelon, lime and mint come together in this fruity cocktail recipe

What you need

• 25g Pack mint • 5cm Ginger, sliced • 200g Caster sugar • 2 tbsp Single malt whisky • 250ml Prosecco • Fresh mint, to serve

How to make

• First, make a ginger and mint syrup. • Put the mint, ginger and sugar in a pan with 200ml water • Heat gently, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved • Bring to the boil, then immediately take off the heat • Leave to steep for at least 30 mins, then strain and discard the mint and ginger (you’ll have about 250ml — the rest keeps, chilled, for up to 1 week) • To make the julep, divide 2 tbsp syrup and the whisky between 2 flutes • Top up with 125ml prosecco each.

Garnish with extra fresh mint to serve What you need

• 120ml White rum • Juice of 3 limes • 200g watermelon (flesh only) • 1 tbsp Granulated sugar • Fresh mint (optional) • Watermelon wedges, to serve

How to make

• Mash the raspberries with the lime juice and stir in the chopped mint • Pour into 2 cocktail glasses and top up with the non-alcoholic G&T • Decorate each glass with a sprig of mint and a slice of lime

Has your property gone up in price?

Ingredients Method

• 300g Penne • 1 red onion, finely chopped • 10-12 Sundried tomatoes in oil, chopped, plus 1 tbsp oil from the jar • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 30g Wild rocket • Zest and juice of 1⁄2 lemon (optional) Cook the pasta according to the pack instructions While the pasta is cooking, fry the onion in the oil from the sundried tomatoes for 5 mins or until softened

Put the onion into a food processor with the garlic, sundried tomatoes and half the rocket, and blitz to make a paste Drain the pasta, reserving 200ml of the cooking water

Fold the sundried tomato paste into the pasta, along with the rest of the rocket and the lemon zest and juice, if using Gradually add the cooking water from the pasta until everything is combined and the pasta is coated with a light, silky sauce and season to taste