Carnfunnock Autumn Fest (26 Sep 09)

[eventadmin]

Carnfunnock Country Park will soon come alive with the sights, sounds and smells of autumn with its first-ever "Autumn-fest" event.

On Saturday 26th September, the Park will be a hive of activity, with a tremendous variety of stalls, workshops, demonstrations, guided walks and more throughout the afternoon.

There will be a fantastic programme of activities for the entire family. Visitors will find a wide range of seasonal, fun things to do while taking in the crisp fall air of the beautiful Larne countryside."
World of Owls will be there with some of their feathered friends while Northern Ireland Bushcraft Association (NIBA) will be demonstrating the wild foods available in Carnfunnock.

As the leaves begin to turn, there will be guided walks around the park to see the autumnal colours, and Larne Borough Council's Biodiversity Officer will demonstrate constructing homemade bird feeders.  The RSBP, Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, and Glens of Antrim Red Squirrel group will also be there, to provide information about autumnal changes to wildlife and birds.

In the walled garden there will be fantastic autumnal craft demonstrations from wood-turning to basket-weaving along plenty of autumnal "foodie" treats to try.

As if that weren't enough, Vikings will be invading Carnfunnock for the day, and there will even be a chance to learn how to sword fight!

The event runs from 1-5pm and normal car parking charges apply. For all the latest information on this event and more, visit www.larne.gov.uk or contact 028 2826 0088.

[RedLeader]

Could we get some more detailed information on what exactly the NIBA will be doing along with times etc?

[Mouldsy]

I will get  more detailed info today as we up at Carnfunnock for a photo-shoot, We will be doing fire making demo's from modern to primitive, Woodland Awareness walk for the kids, what wild foods there is at Carnfunnock this time of year and we will have a shelter of some sort constructed at our stall,
We will also have a hammock and tarp set up to show people what sort of kit we would take out with us and we are judges of the Carnfunnock conker championship, with all the other things going on it should make for a good family day out.

[kendogbaggio]

Lookin forward to this, will be a good chance to put a few faces to the names

[Paul]

Hi Folks,

We will be doing a fire demo from modern fire lighting techniques back, including bowdril demo, flint and steel etc. This will also include tinder prep and best wood id.
fire lays
Wild foods of carnfunnock
shelter building,
back woods loom
spoon carving
tarp erection (also possibly hammock as well)
wilderness awareness walk( good for kids and parents) this is a awareness quiz where kids and adults will be challenged to visualy scan a prepared route for alien objects. This will finish with an awareness talk, fun and learning all in one!
The Carnfunnock Conker championships. The NIBA have been invited to act as judges in this event.

The events will run from 1.00 - 5.00, come and see us we will be beside the shop/cafe area, remember to let us know you are on NI Wild!

Cheers

The NIBA Team

[Wolf_Larson]

Carnfunnock conker championship   

I have not done that from the school days, Ill be out looking for daddy conker to win the prize.    What is it LOL

[RedLeader]

So who's going?
I'll be there +1

[Cardnim]

I'll be there hopefully 

[Wolf_Larson]

I would not miss a conker fight.

Count me in. +2

[RedLeader]

Really sorry guys, I got my days totally mixed up for this - I thought it was today and was canoeing yesterday.
Hope it all went well!

[Mouldsy]

It went really well, There was plenty of interest shown from every-body, I think the most popular was the fire demo by Paul, Gary and Phil.

[Wolf_Larson]

Cheers for the chat lads, sorry i was late getting.

But at least i seen faces and got a wee chat.

Regards Dave

[Cardnim]

Big shout of thanks to the NIBA guys. I thought the day was well planned, well executed and certainly well attended by the public.
Thoroughly enjoyed myself

I was there till about 4:30 I think, so sorry I didnt get to see you Wolf.

Looking forward to the next meet up...

P.S. went scavaging today for flint - Im going to try some flint and steel techniques 

[Wolf_Larson]

I must have just got there about then, it wont be long before they get together again Cardnim.

Cardnim, Did you see the flint Mouldsy got of the beach, and he just used a clip from his bag to get a spark ?

[Cardnim]

Not sure, I might have saw that.
Mouldsy had a few bits of flint that I saw (and Phil) so not sure which was which.
All of them were certainly working well though