The Lochcarron community put on yet another great programme of Green Health activities over the summer of 2021. The Lochcarron area has several outdoor sites suitable for events for local people of all ages. Kirkton Woods, the Smithy Centre (with the community wood next door) and the village itself which is ideal for shoreside walks.
The popular volunteer days at Kirkton Community Woodland welcomed some new faces. Thanks to volunteers Greg, Toby and Gwen who assisted local historian Paul Swan to uncover one of the ruined cottages along the heritage trail. There was much excitement as more of the foundation stones were revealed from the vegetation. If you’d like join in the fun – there’s always plenty of jobs to do for a few hours of being outdoors and meeting new folk with jobs to fit all abilities.
There was a great turnout at our Summer Activities program funded by Green Health “Think Health Think Nature”. Over twenty children attend our outdoor activities up at Kirkton Community Woodland. Our younger pupils were eagerly involved in identifying Mini beasts, providing a luxurious new home within the “Bug Hotel” , pond dipping & endless hours of fun with wheelbarrows.
A note to all parents out there wondering what to get their children for Christmas this year – A Wheelbarrow! As for our older children, they immersed themselves in everything survival. From making shelters, navigation, foraging (blackberries, wild raspberries), using a Kelly kettle and 101 uses an old pair of tights can have in a survival situation. We promised to hand back children wet and tired and we certainly delivered some drenched looking specimens who surprisingly turned up for more the next day.
Every week the Lochcarron Nursery Class are in the local community woodland at the Smithy Centre. The woodland area includes sheltered woods, a small open grass area, a willow tunnel and a kitchen garden area given over to the nursery children. Their time is spent with song, group games and sharing ideas for the day ahead. Nature based activities form the basis of the day including arts and crafts with natural materials playing in the mud kitchen, going on bug hunts and helping build the bug hotel which requires serious consideration.
The children’s confidence in using the woodland space has increased over the sessions, and they are starting to introduce their own ideas for activities in the woods. They have also been able to explore nature and see the gradual change from summer into autumn over the weeks. We hope that these sessions can be extended to continue throughout the academic year.
After a break during the peak of Covid restrictions the Wellness Walks were able to meet up again and start enjoying the gentle walks and warm company of friends, that in some cases, they hadn’t seen for nearly a year.
There is considerable interest and demand to continue all these well-being activities over the months ahead. “Everyone involved wants more!” Kristine MacKenzie, Local Development Officer
These events were made possible through the High Life Highland LEADER funded Green Health Events project