We are pleased to announce the launch of the Thames Chase Plan, our 4th since Thames Chase Community Forest was established in 1990. Our refreshed plan is a strategic document that sets out the vision and objectives of the Thames Chase Trust over the next 10 years (2025-2035) for the benefit of people, nature, and climate. Thank you to our inspiring speakers, valued partners and supporters that joined us today for the launch at the Forest Centre. If you would like to learn more and read the plan in full please click here: lnkd.in/e_fyTT9U Summary documents are also on display at the Thames Chase Visitor Centre reception area. #thameschase @CommForests @ForestryComm @DefraGovUK

🗓7th August - FREE Children's Event at Thames Chase 🕙10.30am-2.30pm 🎨Join us at the Thames Chase Forest Centre on Friday 7th August and get creative making your entry for the Thames Chase Children's Art and Sculpture Competition. We will have lots of different art supplies on hand to make your unique entry. Suitable for ages 4-16 years. 🦋This activity is self led and requires an adult attendance at all times. Entries will be judged in 3 categories: Ages 4-6, 7-10, 11-16 years All entries will then be displayed at the Forest Centre from the 31st August-10th September. *Winners will be voted for on 30th August. Each winner will receive a £20 art bundle. 📍Thames Chase, Pike Lane, Upminster RM14 3NS

Stop scrolling! Check out this fabulous Painted Lady Butterfly spotted by our Programmes Manager. #thameschase #ForestryEngland

Join the Thames Chase Quillers on 7th July for a seaside themed quilling workshop. No experience necessary and all equipment will be provided. Spaces are filling up already, hit the link to book! buytickets.at/thameschase/17…

Thanks to everyone who joined the Thames Chase Quillers earlier this week for our adult quilling workshop! There were 8 new quillers who did very well at making a strawberry plant. Our next workshop takes place on 7th July, 10.30am-12pm and will be based on a seaside theme. Places are limited so book early via the link: buytickets.at/thameschase/17… #thameschase #crafts

It's Great Big Green Week! With more than a million people taking part in 2025, this year is set to be bigger and better than before. At Thames Chase, we have our three regular group volunteering sessions this week, as well as our weekly Wellbeing & Tree Walks. If you're interested in joining us, all information is available on our website and social media, or you can get in touch at enquiries@thameschase.org.uk to find out more. Get out and do something for nature, making where we live and the natural world, a better place! #ThamesChase #GBGW

🗓 Sunday 14th June ⏰ 10.30am-12pm 🤖 Get ahead for Fathers Day at our Bug and Bee Bots - Robot Bug Hotel Making Workshop! Bring along your Dad, Step Dad, Grandad, or other special adult to work with you to create and decorate a bug and bee hotel in the shape of a Robot. A sustainable themed event using reused materials including wood, metal and much more to make a unique robot to take home and offer nesting and hibernation places for invertebrates, especially solitary bees and other important insects. Suitable for all ages - children and adults. Suggested age 6 Cost £12 is per robot kit with one adult per child taking part. Book online: buytickets.at/thameschase/22… Thames Chase, Pike Lane RM14 3NS

🎉10th Anniversary - Thames Chase Art & Sculpture Exhibition 🗓️31st August - 10th September ⏲️10am-4pm - Free Entry 🖌️Join us at the Thames Chase Forest Centre for this years Art & Sculpture Exhibition, showcasing the work of local artists.

Spotted in the Thames Chase Community Tree Nursery our June plant of the month is called Fox-and-cubs, an odd name for a beautiful orange flower, but there you go! Also known as Golden Mouse Ear and Red Daisy, these perennials are hardy and enjoy full sun or partial shade. #thameschase

With thanks to our Programmes Manager we are starting off the week with this cute buff-tailed bumble bee! Spotted at Eastbrookend Country Park. Being one of the most common bumblebee species doesn't make this little bee any less appealing to us. The buff-tailed bumblebee queen is one of the earliest to emerge after winter in the UK, although down here in the south they can be winter active if conditions are warm! Look out for the white tail with a narrow buff band between the abdomen and tail. This species has a short tongue, so loves brambles, apple trees, hawthorn and a variety of other flowering plants like trefoil and peonies. #thameschase @lbbdcouncil @BDParkRangers

It's Great Big Green Week! With more than a million people taking part in 2025, this year is set to be bigger and better than before. At Thames Chase, we have our three regular group volunteering sessions this week, as well as our weekly Wellbeing & Tree Walks. If you're interested in joining us, all information is available on social media, or you can get in touch at enquiries@thameschase.org.uk to find out more. Get out and do something for nature, making where we live and the natural world, a better place! #GBGW #ThamesChase

Take a break and join us for a Wellbeing and Tree Walk every Thursday at Thames Chase. No booking required just turn up and pay at the Visitor Centre reception. #thameschase #wellbeing

Volunteers’ Week is back! It’s time to celebrate all things volunteering! Our volunteers give so much to our organisation, without them we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. Thank you to each and every one of you. Anyone can volunteer as we have a wide variety of opportunities and can usually match your interests regardless of background or experience. We just ask for a few hours each week or a commitment to support planned activities. If you would like to find out more about all the aspects of volunteering available at Thames Chase get in touch: enquiries@thameschase.org.uk or call us on 01708 642970 #VolunteersWeek #ThamesChase

Keep your eyes peeled for the beautiful Bee Orchid spotted outside the Thames Chase Forest Centre. #thameschase @CommForests

Make a day of it at Thames Chase! Come along to our monthly Sunday Market from 10am. Explore the woodland, play areas and unique stalls. #thameschase

As part of the England’s Community Forest network of 15 forests earlier this year we celebrated planting the 10 millionth tree of the Trees for Climate scheme at De La Salle Secondary School, Basildon Essex. The school was seeking support to help develop a large open space within their school grounds. The main aims were to create an outdoor learning space, create varied habitats to attract wildlife through the addition of a pond, and habitat piles. Food growing, a fire circle for socialising and reflection and to create an orchard, hedgerows and copses of woodland throughout the garden. Thames Chase Conservation Volunteers, along with staff from the local Tractor CNH New Holland Plant joined staff and pupils to plant a selection of fruit trees, the 10th Millionth Tree was an Apple Tree planted with the help of students. We look forward to this area flourishing and becoming a space for students to enjoy! #thameschase #TreesforClimate @CommForests

🗓Saturday 6th June ⏰10.30am-12.30pm 🦋Join Ruth from Butterfly Bay at the Thames Chase Forest Centre. Perfect for adults looking to try something new, enjoy a mindful morning, or spend quality time getting creative in a beautiful natural setting. No experience needed, just bring your imagination. All materials will be provided including an array of colours to chose from to create your floral pendant, framed with a silver coloured bezel (chain included) £25 per person, ages 12 Click the link to book: buytickets.at/thameschase/22…

Tickets still available for this event on Sunday at Thames Chase, click the link to book: buytickets.at/thameschase/20…

It's Wildlife Wednesday! Sharing a great find by our Senior Programmes Officer Becky, who spotted the lackey moth (Malacosoma neustria) recently at Cely Woods. The caterpillars are known for their striking colours. They form silken tents to regulate their temperature. Sunbathing on the outside and taking shelter inside the tent. They feed mainly on trees and shrubs from within their tents. As the feed and grow bigger they disperse from the tent and pupate in the ground and in time metamorphosise into the adult moth. #thameschase @CommForests

This year’s Langtons Summer Concert takes place on Sunday 7 June, with classical & popular music performed by Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra. Sponsored by West & Coe Funeral Directors, Elm Site Services & Mullis & Peake LLP Solicitors. Read more at orlo.uk/e0zYx