Visitors learn to make Christmas decorations with traditional materials at the Axe Wetlands field studies centre

More than 60 people learnt how to make Christmas decorations from natural materials during a special course at the Axe Estuary Wetlands.

They were shown how to handcraft wreathes on a woven willow base at a special workshop in the field studies base.

Countryside education ranger Meg Knowles and volunteer Liz Chilcott helped people to create the traditional festive works of art.

Organisers billed the session as the perfect antidote to the heady commercialism of the modern Christmas, and there was a real sense of old-fashioned festive spirit in the air as people of all ages joined together using a variety of natural materials gathered from the nature reserve to make their wreaths.

Festive visitors to the Wetlands were warmed by mulled wine and mince pies, served by volunteer wardens manning the Wetlands information centre, which was open during the event.

People can drop into the centre every Saturday during the winter months, between 10 am and 4 pm for a friendly chat with wardens about recent wildlife sightings on the Wetlands nature reserves and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.

The Axe Estuary Wetlands, like other Local Nature Reserves in East Devon, are open to everyone – see the district council webpage at http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/countryside or call the Countryside team on 01395 517557 for more details. The events guide for 2013 will be available early next year and people should contact the team to add their name to the mailing list.