Cat charity to host teddy bear picnic for children

Children aged under five will be able to show off their fluffy friend in a Teddy Bear Parade before getting crafty decorating bear masks at the centre in Lewes Road, Chelwood Gate.

There will also be storytime, a guess the name of the bear competition and a chance for young explorers to take part in a bear hunt around the nature trail.

The event will take place on Wednesday May 18 from 10am until 11am and costs £2.50 per child to include a drink, biscuit and certificate.

Families can enjoy their own picnic afterwards or buy a special Teddy Bear Picnic box from the onsite café from 12pm. Activities will be held indoors if wet, so rain won’t stop play.

Cats Protection’s Visitor Centre Manager Dee McDonald said: “We love welcoming young visitors to the centre, and this time we will be really keen to meet their soft toy friends too.

“Our centre is in the heart of the Ashdown Forest, home to the most famous bear of all – Winnie the Pooh – so it’s the perfect spot for children to have a morning of fun with their favourite teddy. “

Cats Protection’s National Cat Centre is open every day from 10am - 4pm and is the perfect free day out for all the family, with café, children’s play area and nature trail.

And no trip is complete without visiting some of the cats in the care of Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre. The largest of its kind in the UK, the centre has around 150 cats and kittens looking for a new home – pop in and say hello!

The National Cat Centre is situated in Chelwood Gate, on the A275 between Wych Cross and Danehill.

To find it using a SatNav, please use the postcode RH17 7DE, or for a map and directions please visit www.cats.org.uk/find-us/find-the-ncc

To book a place at the Teddy Bear’s Picnic, please email Nicky at [email protected] or call 01825 741 370.