Earlier this morning (Friday 18th July) pupils from Llangynidr Community Primary School took delivery of their very own National Park visitor leaflets – ‘A Pond for all Seasons’- at a special event held at the school.
Carol Williams, Tourism Growth Officer for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Justine Wheatley from Arts Alive presented the children with the newly produced leaflets which were created by the children during a series of workshops held throughout the year.
Working with officers and volunteers from the Canal and River Trust, the National Park Authority, Canal Legacy Group and Arts Alive, the 24 school children started the project in Autumn 2013 which helped them undertake species identification and pond dipping, as well as experience the canal and Llangynidr pond in all four seasons.
The initiative is part of Rural Alliances, which is funded by the EU’s Interreg IVB NWE programme, and delivered by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and the Canal Legacy Group. The project appointed creative writer Michael Church and illustrator Rachel Best from Arts Alive to help the children illustrate the wildlife and fauna that they saw in and around the pond at locks 66-68, as well as capture their thoughts and feelings of the canal and its history.
Their drawings and emotions have now been captured in the new leaflet ‘A Pond for all Seasons’ which aims to inspire other 7-10 year olds who are visiting or holidaying along the canal.
Presenting the children with their leaflets Carol Williams said, “Not only is this leaflet a great contribution to the community of Llangynidr, but it should be applauded for the way it’s captured the hearts and minds of children, as well as their spirit of adventure. We think it’s what living in a National Park is all about. Rural Alliance funding has made this all possible and I am very grateful to the volunteers and officers who put so much time and effort into creating this project which will serve the Llangynidr Community and its visitors for many years to come.
Mrs Karen Jenkins, Head Teacher at Llangynidr Community Primary School said: “This has been a wonderful opportunity for our pupils and to see all their hard work come to fruition in this leaflet is just so inspiring. The children have had a fantastic time during the creative process and are delighted to see the fruits of the labour now rewarded. Contributing to the visitors leaflet is a great privilege and an ideal opportunity to develop their literacy skills in such an innovative and fun way.”
Cllr Jeff Holmes, Member for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, who is also a Board Member of the Canal and River Trust said: “This has been a wonderful project from start to finish. There’s nothing that compares to taking a classroom outside to learn. The children have been able to engage in the canal’s historical legacy and experience the fauna and wildlife that inhabits it. This leaflet is just the perfect tool to educate and inspire our smaller visitors.”
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