Go Wild for a Free Cuppa!

We love working with The Wild Watch team. To celebrate the National Lottery’s 25th anniversary, they’re offering a free cuppa – and a good excuse to take a walk on the wild side…

The Wild Watch, which is supported by National Lottery funding, is offering a free cuppa alongside your chance to hit the jackpot on Saturday 23 November.

The citizen science project in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has carried out the AONB’s biggest ever wildlife survey with local wildlife lovers, with support by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

100 free e-vouchers are available to use in cafes across Pateley Bridge, and The Wild Watch is encouraging people to try one of the family-friendly wildlife walks the team have created – the Kingfisher, Packhorse and Curlew Trails.

Alice Crosby, The Wild Watch Project Officer, said: “To receive the free voucher we’re encouraging people to get their walking boots on! You really can’t beat a good walk in nature, followed by a restorative cuppa. It isn’t compulsory to do one of our walks, but we hope the free drink will be an incentive to head into Nidderdale, get some fresh air, and spot some of the wildlife our project is working to protect. We want people to get outdoors and fall in love with our countryside and wildlife. Ultimately, the best way for people to be custodians of our countryside is to get outdoors and get enthused.”

The Kingfisher Trail, the Curlew Trail, and the Packhorse Trail offer accessible three to four mile walks along the River Nidd, in Darley and Pateley Bridge. Taking in moorlands, rivers and rolling hills, each guide – which is available to download on the Wild Watch website – features a wildlife spotter and fun facts and even a word search for children for when you’re warming up over a cuppa. The guides flag easy parking, shopping, and eating points for families.

The project is one of hundreds of National Lottery-funded projects offering a free drink to celebrate the 25^th birthday of the National Lottery. The free drink is to say #ThanksToYou for contributing to good causes by playing the lottery, including The Wild Watch.

Cafés in Pateley Bridge accepting the voucher in exchange for a free hot or cold non-alcoholic drink are Cocoa Joe’s, Just Delicious, Old Granary, The Old Bakehouse and The Pancake House but please visit the Nidderdale AONB website for the most up to date list.

Alice added: “For those who use the voucher as an excuse for a day out and nature walk, we’d love people to tweet pictures of their walk to @thewildwatch and show off our beautiful countryside.”

Since The National Lottery’s first draw took place on 19 November 1994, more than £40 billion has been raised for good causes in the areas of arts, sport, heritage and community.

To claim one of the 100 free drinks, you’ll need to take your lottery ticket into the participating café with the voucher, which can be download from the Nidderdale AONB website: https://nidderdaleaonb.org.uk/event/the-national-lottery-thankstoyou-offer/. Terms and conditions apply.