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NATURE TREAT FOR WEAVERHAM SCHOOL CHILDREN AS OWLEY WOOD REPAYS OLD FAVOURPUPILS at the Weaverham schools are in for a nature treat thanks to the launch of a new Education Pack encouraging teachers to bring classes to local beauty spot Owley Wood. The Pack was commissioned by community group the Friends of Owley Wood with the support of The Mersey Forest. The community group wants to repay the area's schools for their help in rescuing the previously rundown Owley Wood a decade ago, and for assisting in its transformation into the thriving natural resource it has become. The Friends' now hope that the Education Pack will inspire future generations about Owley Wood in order to secure the long-term future of the site. The launch of the Owley Wood Education Pack was held at Owley Wood Scout Hall, located on Owley Wood Road, and was attended by over 20 people, including teachers from Weaverham Forest Primary School, Wallerscote Community School, The Russett School and St. Bedes Catholic Primary School. As well as formally receiving the new Packs, the teachers were given a special tour of the Wood to identify some of the plants and wildlife that reside within the site by Virginia Hunt, the environmental educationalist who wrote and designed the Pack. Ms Hunt became involved in the project thanks to leading environmental organisation The Mersey Forest, who support the Friends' group in many of their activities, including the production of the Education Pack. The Friends' were originally inspired to create the Education Pack after reading a similar publication written by Ms Hunt for the Marshall's Arm Local Management Group. The Mersey Forest's Community Contracting Initiative helped the Friends of Owley Wood to bring the idea to life, by identifying sources of funding available to the group and helping them to apply. As a result the Friends' secured funding from Awards for All and local chemical manufacturing company, INEOS Chlor through the landfill tax credits scheme. The Mersey Forest Team then contacted Ms Hunt and liaised with her throughout the writing and designing of the Pack, and coordinated the final printing. The Education Pack includes animal and plant identification charts, tips on collecting freshwater wildlife, ideas for outdoor activities and historical maps of the site, supplied by Weaverham Historical Society. The Pack also features helpful information for teachers on conducting risk assessments and advice on related online teaching resources. Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest, said: "We're really pleased to support the Friends of Owley Wood with this innovative Education Pack. Enabling people young and old to get involved with and learn more about their local woodland is one of the main goals of The Mersey Forest, so we're delighted to be involved in such a great project." Noel Woodhead, Chair of the Friends of Owley Wood, said: "Over 10 years ago Owley Wood was rescued from dereliction by local volunteers that included large numbers of enthusiastic schoolchildren. In producing this pack we hope to re-establish Owley Wood's vital link with local pupils." "The Friends of Owley Wood and I are passionate about the Wood," said Virginia Hunt, writer and designer of the Education Pack. "The information in this Pack is intended to pass this passion on to the teachers, and in turn the children, of the Weaverham schools." Eileen Livesey, teacher at St. Bedes Catholic Primary School, said: "We're extremely grateful to the Friends of Owley Wood for this Education Pack. Owley Wood is on the doorstep of the school and we're really looking forward to getting out and using the Pack with the children." The Mersey Forest are set to continue to support the Friends of Owley Wood in developing their education work, by funding special environmental teacher training sessions. If schools outside of Weaverham wish to take of advantage of the new Education Pack by borrowing a copy from the Friends of Owley Wood, they are welcome to call Noel Woodhead on 01606 852 960 or to email owley.wood@virgin.net. The Friends of Owley Wood hold regular woodland task days and other activities, and are always keen for newcomers to get involved. To come along and join in or to find out more, call Noel Woodhead on the above number. ENDS Editor
Notes
For
further information please contact: or Noel
Woodhead, Friends of Owley Wood
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