A NEW nature walk has been opened at a Winchester Primary School by Springwatch presenter Megan McCubbin.
The walk, at Winnall Primary School, was opened by the Springwatch presenter on Wednesday, April 30, during a special event.
It is a result of a “Sound of Biodiversity” collaboration between the school and Wonderseekers, the charity which runs the Winchester Science Centre, and the University of Surrey’s Institute for Sustainability.
The project, which was recognised by the John Connell Soundscape Awards, saw a selection of the now year six pupils explore nature and the sounds found in the wild by constructing a soundscape, with the idea for the nature garden, named the Woodland Walk, evolving out of the project.
Megan and the pupils opened the garden by planting some new plants and posing for photos.
Megan said: “It is really nice to open the Woodland Walk. It is an opportunity for the kids to reconnect with nature. To see the smiles on the kids' faces was really lovely. It is really exciting.”
The Springwatch host said that the Woodland Walk would allow the pupils to reconnect with nature, saying, “I think we are all born with this connection to the world around us. All children have a memory of being curious about nature, and this will help them reconnect with that.”
Sally Peckett, head teacher of Winnall Primary School, said the walk is the result of “such a fantastic partnership” the school has with the Winchester Science Centre.
She continued: “They have done so much for us. But this time, working with our Year Sixes and their love of nature, it has had a huge impact on the whole school. The children have access to this at playtime and lunchtime, and it is a mindfulness area as well. So, it is available to them to sit on the bench and listen to the sounds of nature.
“We were not aware that the project was up for an award, so that is a massive achievement. That will have pride of place in our reception area, and it will be a legacy that our Year Sixes can leave behind as they go onto secondary school.”
Jo Hennessy, director of experiences at Wonderseekers, said: “It is really good (that the Woodland Walk is open). The whole point of the project was that it was funded by UK Research and Innovation and Arts and Humanities Research Council. It was to find ways we can raise public engagement with research, how we can improve that.
“This was just the first project we have done with the school – we have a really strong relationship with them. But it is not the only relationship we have. Now we have this lovely nature walk, we are listening more to children at Winchester Science Centre on everything we do.”
