[S]CHOOLCHILDREN have enjoyed a visit to a nature reserve to gain some inspiration on how their own local area could be developed.
Pupils from Valley School and St Begh’s School, in Whitehaven, visited Watchtree Nature Reserve at Wigton which gave them the opportunity to learn about potential future developments in the Mirehouse area.
The visitors learned about a number of different habitats and some were fortunate enough to see a family of wild deer.
The visit follows on from the recent successful Med in Sheds project in Mirehouse, and the children were accompanied by representatives from Copeland Hub, Cumbria Constabulary and Morgan Sindall.
PC Roxanna Schofield, from Copeland Hub, said: “The children seemed to have an excellent time and loved being outdoors. It was a pleasure to spend the day with them.”
The visit was funded by Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall. Mr McCall said: “It is great to be able to support initiatives that gives youngsters a positive and interesting experience, as well as a fun way to learn.
“I think, also, that by giving the young people the opportunity to share their thoughts on potential developments for the nature reserve, they are more likely to feel a sense of pride in their surroundings and less likely to get involved in anti-social behaviour.”
Gillian Johnston, from Morgan Sindall, added: “We are pleased to support this project. It was a very cold but enjoyable visit and I look forward to hearing all of the children’s ideas after the Christmas holidays.”
