A summer of free events and where to go this autumn 2023

This summer Essex residents were able to enjoy a series of free* events and trails in the great outdoors at the Essex Country Parks thanks to the Essex Year of Numbers.

The sessions included ‘Read, Count and Explore’ which saw Essex Library Service, the team at Talk, Listen and Cuddle (TLC), and Adult Community Learning (ACL) join Essex Outdoors Education Rangers to provide free crafts and story times which were enjoyed by approximately 450 people across four parks. Attendees could also sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge.

‘Read and Count with Me Under a Tree’ bags were launched at the events. Funded by the Essex Year of Numbers, the bags are now available for parents and young families to borrow at the Essex Country Parks and Essex Libraries, to encourage numeracy and literacy in green spaces.

Lovers of nature and natural play were in luck this summer with the Essex Country Parks Animal Mysteries summer trail (also funded by the Essex Year of Numbers) which was enjoyed by around 4,000 children and Wild Wednesdays, another free* event delivered by the Essex Outdoors Education Ranger team at Danbury Country Park.

These sessions received incredible feedback and were enjoyed by over 1,100 people during the month of August.

With thanks to Colchester Zoo who supplied an Animal Experience as a prize for the Animal Mysteries trails.

*car parking charges applied