AFTER so many months of enforced closure, the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms is making up for lost time with the school holidays starting soon.

There is a full programme of events throughout July.

The main event will be the Hay Meadow Festival that will be at the centre for the first time on Saturday, July 24.

It is a family day to celebrate wildflower meadows and their wealth of wildlife. With guided meadow walks, family activities, talks and demonstrations, a bio blitz, arts ‘n crafts tent, information stands and a music stage as well as a barbecue and bar, this a the Summer day out for all the family.

In advance: £4.00 adults; £2.00 Children; £10.00 family. On the day: £5.00 adults; £3.00 children; £13.00 family. Under 5s go FREE!

Three days earlier, on Wednesday, July 21, there will be two dragonfly identification workshops aimed at beginners run by Sue Rees.

Participants will learn to identify a range of species throughout both sessions. Classroom inputs during the morning will focus on identification of damselflies (session one) and dragonflies (session two).

Following a brief lunch the afternoons will be spent outside around the centre ponds and the River Onny putting the identification skills to the test. Participants are welcome to attend both days as a series though attendance on just one day is also possible. £10 per session. Booking is essential.

During the school holiday there is The Carboniferous - When Minibeasts Rules the World event.

This will be held between Monday, July 26 and Friday, July 30 and then between Monday, August 16 and Friday, August 20.

Go back in time, feeling the heat, seeing the ferns, hearing the water and smelling the rotting vegetation to a time when minibeast ruled the world. The cost is £4 per accompanied four – 11 year old. Booking is advised.