Percy the Park Keeper joins the attractions at Moors Valley (Apr 2014)
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest near Ringwood, opened a new family trail on 5 April based on the classic children’s tales of ‘Percy the Park Keeper’.
The engaging stories of Percy the Park Keeper revolve around the adventures of a kind-hearted park keeper, and his many animal friends, including a badger, owl, fox, rabbit, hedgehog and lots of mice. They are a firm favourite with children and parents alike, and instantly recognisable from both the books and the Percy the Park Keeper animated television series.
This is the first time that permission has been given for Percy and his friends to be featured in this way and the fun trail has been especially created to link Nick Butterworth’s beautifully illustrated stories to the immediate surroundings of the Park. Heading into the woods, meandering around the lake and skirting the steam railway, trail participants will enjoy a glorious country walk as they follow a special trail card packed with fun outdoor activities. To complement the trail Moors Valley has also launched an online competition* for one lucky family to follow in Percy’s footsteps and become a Park Keeper for the day – go to www.moors-valley.co.uk/percy to enter.
Nick Butterworth is thrilled that Percy is joining the many attractions at Moors Valley Country Park. “I’m delighted to see that my old pal Percy the Park Keeper will be helping lots of new young friends to find out more about the natural world,” he said. “Well done to everyone involved with the Moors Valley project. Just listen for a moment . . . Can you hear it? It’s the sound of applause – coming from Percy and all his animal chums, from the deer to the minibeasts! They know that things are going to be a bit better for them because of what you have done”.
Education Ranger Emma Reeks said “Everyone loves the friendly characters in Nick’s wonderful stories and we are looking forward to bringing them to life at Moors Valley. We hope this fun family trail will also help show visitors what our Rangers do to look after our Park for the enjoyment of both people and wildlife.”
Percy the Park Keeper trail cards are available from the Visitor Centre, cost £2 each and feature a variety of interesting activities including making an animal home, bird spotting and finding minibeasts. The trail will appeal particularly to younger children and opens daily from 5th April until 28th September 2014.
For further details visit the website www.moors-valley.co.uk/events or contact the Rangers on 01425 470721.
ENDS
Word count: 400
Editors’ Notes:
A selection of Nick Butterworth illustrations are available to use alongside this press release.
Please refer to the download on the right and request images from Amanda at Phoenix-2, amanda@phoenix-2.co.uk
Required illustration credit: Reprinted by permission from HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. © <insert year of publication> Nick Butterworth
* The online competition will offer the chance for a family of four to be Park Keepers for the day, in addition to receiving an annual season ticket for Moors Valley and a wheelbarrow full of goodies.
[Download not found]