Welcome To Haddo!

Hi everyone, and welcome to my first blog as the new VSO at Haddo House and Country Park. 

Previous office at RSPB Fowlsheugh
- slightly different to Haddo!

I’ve been in the job for nearly two weeks now- mostly spent getting to know all the other people who work in and around the park, house and estate and doing a lot of background reading to catch up on the regeneration project.

I’m not completely new to the area around Haddo- I’ve been up here since 2011 when I moved up to work for the RSPB on their North East Coast reserves, mostly based at Loch of Strathbeg up near Crimond but also working on the seabird colonies at Troup Head and Fowlsheugh.

Before that, I’ve worked for various nature and wildlife charities, doing everything from counting dolphins with Whale & Dolphin Conservation at Spey Bay, to talking about sharks at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth

Will be getting very familiar with this
view over the next few months!

I also spent three years with the English Osprey re-introduction project down at Rutland Water, so I’m looking forward to seeing a couple of them over Haddo lake in the spring. In the meantime, I’ve been getting more familiar with the autumn (winter?) wildlife around the park- Bullfinch and Water Rail by the lake and finally a single Red Squirrel (which have been very elusive every other time I’ve visited Haddo…) on my drive in yesterday morning.

The main part of my job will be working on the next phase of the regeneration project. This means developing the ‘people’ side of the park, encouraging more visitors, working with local schools and helping to run more and better events.

I’m also aiming to start some volunteer projects in and around the park and the house, including gardening, work parties and running regular mammal and bird surveys.

If you’d like to get involved with any of that (or if you just want to say hello and have a chat about Haddo) then I’m in the portacabin usually Monday to Friday and my door’s always open (unlocked anyway, the rain gets in if I leave it open). If I’m not there you can email me on haddovso@btconnect.com, leave a comment on this blog or contact me via Twitter www.twitter.com/Wild_NEScot

Diana Spencer,

Visitor Services Officer

Haddo House & Country Park

Last Blog by Seasonal VSO

It's been a wonderful summer at Haddo, I couldn't have asked for better weather.  I think I've only had a jacket on two or three times all summer "Amazing, what a difference from the last couple of years".  However, summer is nearly over and so is my time at Haddo, I have enjoyed working here over the summer and I've enjoyed meeting everyone. 

Thanks to everyone that has made me feel welcome.  A special thank you to Peter Fraser who has been very supportive throughout my time at Haddo and to the landscape services team (Jim, Audrey & Melanie) who have not only made me feel very welcome but, have also been very helpful. They have done a great job maintaining the park over what has been a very busy summer.  Not an easy task I might add, as they also help to maintain several areas outwith the park e.g. Ellon, Tarves, Methlick, Balmedie to name but few and the railway line that connects them. 
 

Early Years Conference

 

The Early Years Conference on Saturday the 7th Sept was a great success.  A big thank you to Caroline Crawford for organising that.  The weather held out and everyone seemed to enjoy the taster events held in the afternoon.  Hopefully, everyone will have left feeling inspired, and with a few ideas for their own outdoor learning activities.

 

Coming Events

 

BushcraftUK will be at Haddo from 12th Sept to 15th Sept 

The NE Scotland members of BushcraftUK are staying down at Haddo Country Park from Thursday 12th Sept  to Sunday 15th Sept.

 

They are planning on holding a few demonstrations for some of their newer members but would like to invite any members of the public that are interested, to come along and join them.  The best time to do this would be between 1 - 4pm on Sat 14th Sep as this will be when most of their experts will be available for demonstrations.

 

The following topics will be covered:

 

Fire lighting techniques

Knots

Camp craft

Purse nets

Tinder's (natural & man made)

Bushcraft tools

Interested parties should meet at the porta-cabin in the Haddo car park at 1pm on Sat 14th Sep

 

Aberdeenshire’s Unsolved Crime and Mystery Festival

Could you be a double agent?
Fancy helping out this festival?

Aberdeenshire’s Unsolved Crime and Mystery Festival is looking for volunteers to help out with this year’s Spy event which will be held at Haddo Country Park on Saturday 19^th and Sunday 20^th October.

We are looking for volunteers to act as double agents in Haddo Country Park. For this there will be a requirement to attend a short training session in the afternoon on Saturday 21 September in the Park (Time to be arranged).

If you are interested in getting some events experience or would just love to get involved then please call the VSO on Tel: 01651 851815  or email haddovso@btconnect.com

Alternatively contact emma@pi-communications.co.uk or call 07977134614.

HADDO REGENERATION PROJECT – UPDATED  August 2013

CHAP construction is now on-site with their main office base within the old shop opposite the car park.  The project has commenced with expected completion towards the end of 2013. 

The CHAP team are working on the restoration of the Pheasantry and installation of a new toilet block within the Pheasantry.  This work may take a number of weeks to complete. We apologise for any inconvenience but would ask visitors to make use of the toilets within the NTS stable block, near the car park or the porta-loos by the Pheasantry .

CHAP are also working on the restoration, refurbishment and creation of a number of components throughout the park e.g. new adventure play area in the old gravel pit, shelter by the weir and the reinstatement of a new cascade bridge. In addition to this several monuments are under-going refurbishments e.g. Waterloo obelisk, urn monument, and deer statues.

Resurfacing of footpaths is almost complete and the development of a new car park and walk at Craigie wood are close to completion.  When complete this walk will enable visitors to enter the existing park via the gates at the top left hand corner of the deer park wall or at the new cascade bridge

Please be aware that there are a number of other activities around the park, including some tree felling and the restoration & refurbishment of the Avenue Bridge & Golden Gates.  In the interest of public safety, the main Avenue Bridge remains closed to the public. However, the Kelly Bridge is open and provides access to the Golden Gates and the path around the lake.  We ask for your patience whilst these activities take place and hope that you will enjoy seeing the changes around Haddo during 2013. 

For more information please do not hesitate to pop into the temporary office on the car park and have a chat or contact the VSO on 01651 851815 or email Haddovso@btconnect.com

Goodbye from me, and Keep enjoying Haddo

Wild Flowers, Butterflies & Bees

A leisurely stroll through Haddo at the moment will reveal a stunning array of wild flowers, currently in bloom throughout the park.  The wild flower meadow and wild flower strips are teeming with wildlife, including numerous species of, bees, damselflies, butterflies and moths.  The diverse range of wildflowers at Haddo, provide a vital habitat and food source for much of our native wildlife.

 

Left: Carder bee on knapweed



Right: Red tailed bumble bee on knapweed

Summer Has Arrived

Summer Has Arrived

Well I think I can safely say that summer has arrived.  It is a miracle the sun is still shining here at Haddo “Wooohooo". The park has been very busy and everyone is enjoying this fabulous weather we have been experiencing. There have been picnics a plenty, barbeques sizzling and despite the on-going works, everyone seems to be having a fabulous time.  But remember folks to slip, slap, slop on that sun cream!!!

First blog by Teresa, Haddo's VSO for the summer.

Hello everyone, my name is Teresa and excluding the Haddo regeneration update; posted on the 16th June, this is my first blog as the seasonal Visitor Services Officer (VSO) for Haddo House and Country Park.  

I can't believe this is the start of my fourth week at Haddo; the time has really flown by.  My temporary office is in the porta-cabin situated in the main car park of the country park.  A huge thank you to all the staff and regular visitors to Haddo that have taken time out of their busy schedules to pop into the porta-cabin and introduce themselves.  I have enjoyed meeting everyone and surely appreciate everyone making me feel very welcome. 

Update On The Restoration & Regeneration Project at Haddo



CHAP Office



CHAP Construction

CHAP construction is now on-site with their main office base within the old shop opposite the car park.  The project has commenced with expected completion towards the end of 2013.