THE BLOXIDGE TALLYGRAPH

Junior eco-warriors from Lower Farm and Abbey schools join organisers and teachers in exploring the new conservation area, undaunted by the rain! (Pictures: Stuart Williams)

Dateline: 12 Feb 2010 

Adventurous youngsters and their parents are being invited to volunteer for a fun family learning day taking place in a Bloxwich park later this month.  Budding eco-warriors will have the chance to discover local plants and wildlife and enjoy bulb planting, bird watching, and bug hunting.

The Friends of Bloxwich Parks group, with the support of Walsall Council and The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country, have been working tirelessly to develop a conservation area at King George V playing fields for use by both the local community and schools.

The Big Lottery Fund has financed the project to the tune of £9,000, and Walsall Housing Group has also contributed towards the costs of tools and equipment while Bloxwich, Leamore and Blakenall Retailers Traders Partnership has advised on accessing funding.

The next family learning day is on Friday 19 February from 11am to 2pm.  Projects in progress include a nature meadow, puddle clay pond and wildlife area. Future projects include a picnic/study area and storytelling section.

Sydney Gorman, chairman of the friends group, said: "These are exciting and ambitious projects which are just what the park and the people of Bloxwich need. Several schools already use the nature reserve as part of ongoing work to encourage them to find out more about the great outdoors and the wildlife which inhabits the borough's parks and open spaces.”

Youngsters from Lower Farm Primary School ready for adventure

Stuart Baker is headteacher of Lower Farm Primary School in Bloxwich which already uses the nature reserve and has its own eco-council of five to eleven-year-olds who are interested in looking after the environment around their school. Presently they are trying to encourage other pupils to walk or cycle to school, make use of their own nature trail and save energy at home and at school.

Mr Baker said: "This will be a brilliant chance for the children at Lower Farm Primary School to explore nature and wildlife in their local environment as part of our Creative Curriculum work. 

Abbey School students, keen to study the local wildlife

For more information on the friends group call Kate Frost on 01922 405102 or see the noticeboard at the playing fields and the Friends of Bloxwich Parks page here on The Bloxidge Tallygraph.

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