Hello JPRs!Welcome to the new look JPR Newsletter,we hope you all had a great autumn andenjoyed the brilliant colours on display inthe parks in Swansea. Did you see the trees change colour anddrop their leaves? These are exciting times,the temperatures are starting to drop andeveryone is getting ready for Christmas. Wemay even see some winter snow.

In this newsletter we have a couple of newfeatures, including ‘Jeff’s Corner’ and Draigthe Dragon’s health and fitness tips.

Garden bird feeding adviceOn Saturday 14 November, 12 Junior ParkRangers came to our event and made somebrilliant birdfeeders to help the birds who visit their

gardens throughout winter. There isn’t much naturalfood for birds to eat around at this time of year so whynot follow some of the tips below to attract them andto help them out this winter?

What to feed?Sunflower seeds are one of the most popularchoices and attract many different types ofbirds. You can also buy special seed mixto attract different birds. Just scatter yourchosen mix on a bird table, put some in ahanging feeder or add some mix with lardand put it in the feeder described below.

How to feed?Birds are either ground feeders, which ‘peck’ foodfrom the ground and bird tables such as robins anddoves, or hanging feeders, such as tits and finches. So inorder to attract a wide variety of birds you shouldpreferably have both hanging feeders and flat surfaces. With all feeders remember to keep them topped up becauseyour birds will come to rely on them in the cold weather.Remember to keep your feeders away from animalssuch as cats!

How to make a simple lard feeder? � Firstly, find a log.

� Then ask an adult to drill large holes into the wood.

� Stuff the log full of bird seed mixed together with lard.

� Drill another small hole through the top of the pieceof wood and thread string through it.

� Tie the feeder to a well protected tree or other areawhere you can see it!

ContentsWelcome JPRs......................................1

Nature News .........................................1

Draig’s Sports Ideas...............................2

Events ...................................................2

Jeff’s Corner .........................................3

Fun & Games ..................................3&4

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2 Junior Park Rangers Newsletter Winter 2009 www.swansea.gov.uk/jpr

9 January Indoor bulb planting and pot decoration Ty'r Blodau, Singleton Park 10.00am - 12.00pm

13 February Sport and games Discovery Centre, Brynmill Park 10.00am - 12.00pm

16 February Bird watching Ty'r Blodau, Singleton Park 10.00am - 12.00pm

18 February Sport and games Discovery Centre, Brynmill Park 10.00am - 12.00pm

All of the above events are free, but booking is essential.Please ask an adult to book your place. Call 01792 635485 or email juniorparkrangers@swansea.gov.uk.

Winter Events...

Draig’s TipsIt may be cold outside but winter

needn't be the unhealthiesttime of year for you and yourfamily.

Here are five ways to make sureyou can keep healthy and fit, no

matter what the weather's like.

1. Get lots of sleep2. Drink more milk

You are muchmore likely to get acold in winter. Milkand dairy productssuch as cheese &yogurt are greatsources of protein, vitamins and calcium . Try to go for semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, rather than full fat, and low-fat yoghurts.

3. Have a hearty breakfast Winter is the perfect season for porridge. Eat awarm bowlful on a cold morning.

4. Eat more fruit and vegetablesWhen it’s cold and darkoutside it can betempting to fill up onunhealthy comfortfood. Keep your diethealthy and includefive portions of fruitand vegetables a day.If you find yourself craving a sugary treat, try a juicy clementine or satsuma, or sweet dried fruits such as dates and raisins instead.

5. Keep active!Try new activities for the whole family.

Don’t use the cold winter months as an excuse to stay in and lounge. Instead, get out and try a new activity; maybe a bracing winter walk on the beach or in the park You’ll feel great.

JokesWhat do elves learn at school?The elf -abet.What do snowmen eat for breakfast?Frosties.What Christmas Carol is a favourite ofparents? Silent night.What do you get when you cross a snowmanand a vampire? Frostbite.

In the Autumn newsletter we asked you tosend us your ideas for the names for thecygnets to win a £40 Nandos voucher. Thewinner was Ben Jones. Ben thought weshould name the Cygnets Luke, Yoda, Anakinand Leia. Ben is clearly a big Star Wars fan.

CompetitionResults

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Junior Park Rangers Newsletter Winter 2009 www.swansea.gov.uk/jpr 3

Hi, I’m Jeffrey Richards. I work as the head gardener in the Botanical Gardens inSingleton Park. I have worked in the Parks section for 30 years.

Top TipsIt’s getting cold and windy, but you can still do some fun things with plants inside and outside. Here are some ideas:

� Grow mustard, cress and mung beans.

� Grow a tree from seeds. You can collect these in Singleton Park.

� Check your pond for wildlife and clean all the leaves out of the pond. (Get an adult to help you with this).

� Pot a plant from the garden. Find a Begonia or a Geranium, place it in a four-inch pot and bring it into your house. Watch it flower through until spring.

Jeff’s Corner

Help Santa findthe chimney! a b c

Can you spot where Birt is? Send us thecorrect answer and we’ll draw thewinner out of a hat. The winner willreceive a £45 Nandos family voucher.You’ll find where to send the entries onpage 4.

Where’sBirt?

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9 Designprint

4 Junior Park Rangers Newsletter Winter 2009 www.swansea.gov.uk/jpr

www.swansea.gov.uk/jpr

Junior Park Rangers ClubCity and County of Swansea, Parks Development, Room 211, Penllergaer Offices, Penllergaer, Swansea, SA4 9GJ

01792 635485 juniorparkrangers@swansea.gov.uk

If you require this newsletter in another format please contactMarketing Services on 01792 635478.

All details correct at time of going to print

Colourin Santa

moreFun & GamesChristmas Crafts

Winter Wordsearch

Make your own reindeerParents – why not make one each year to see howyour child’s feet and hands have grown?

Equipment � Brown and orange paper

� Pencil

� Scissors

� Glue

� Googly eyes (optional) or black and whitepaper or even a black felt tip.

� Red paper for nose

Method� Trace around your

foot using brownpaper and cut theshape out. This will bethe reindeer's head.

� Trace around your handsusing tan paper and cut these shapes out.

These two will be the reindeer's antlers.

� Glue the handprint "antlers" to thetop of the reindeer.

� Add a bright red paper nose, apaper (or drawn) mouth, andgoogly eyes (or paper eyes) to thereindeer's head.

SANTAADFPSL

QRERWJRGTNI

HZNESOEUPOY

OSIEUYICEWZ

LCAYTQNFNMX

LOQXNXDUTAC

YLUHPRESENT

IDZAYWEPGUV

OKOSTARJHJB

SNOWFLAKEMN

SANTA

SNOWMAN

REINDEER

SNOWFLAKE

PRESENT

TREE

HOLLY

COLD

ICE

STAR

Holly Hunt! Just for fun… how many holly sprigscan you find hidden in this news letter?

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