It’s early on a Monday morning in March. The birds are singing, the bees are buzzing, and there’s not a cloud in the sky! I could be anywhere right? Yeah sure…Until the peace is shattered by the babble of around 40 kids from Borestone Primary School heading in my direction, all excited and ready to help clean up their local community. The day had finally arrived for the Spring Clean at the Hillview Community Centre in Cultenhove, my first organised event.
The kids got all kitted out with tabards and black bags, and armed with litter pickers they tackled the litter around the community centre.
In only one hour, with some help from a few volunteers at Cultenhove Opportunities, the group managed to fill around seventeen bags with rubbish of all shapes and sizes.
The children were very enthusiastic and happy to be making a difference to the local environment, and were very knowledgeable about the consequences of dropping litter. I was very pleased with their efforts.
Me, COP Volunteers and Scott (Apprentice Ranger)
Borestone Primary School Primary 2's and members of the eco-group
I even wrote an article about the day and had it published in the Stirling Observer newspaper!
Stirling Observer story
Later that week, I worked with 50 primary 7’s from Braehead Primary School to plant their Woodland Trust Jubilee Tree Pack in the playground. We managed to plant around 70 hawthorn, holly and rose saplings and one very special Royal Oak sapling. With the help of Scott, our apprentice ranger, I demonstrated the proper way to plant the trees and how to care for them. The children were then let loose with spades and watering cans.
Planting the Royal Oak
Since then I have attended several BTCV training courses, such as Working with Multicultural Communities, Leadership Skills and Funding and Fundraising.
Last week I spent some quality time with my fellow NC Trainee Amanda. We spent Tuesday and Wednesday out bug hunting and preparing for our bugs ‘n’ beasties stall on Thursday at the COP Easter Family Fun Day in Cultenhove. We collected our bugs from a variety of sites and habitats and identified them back at the BTCV office. Our favourite specimens included ground beetles, a small tortoiseshell butterfly and two caterpillars of the Drinker Moth.
Drinker Moth Caterpillar
The fun day was an excellent experience for both of us and the stall was enjoyed by both children and adults alike. Take a look at our fabulous marquee!
Our fabulous Bugs 'n' Beasties Marquee
Community Engagement at its finest!
We even managed to convert one little boy from wanting a pet cat or dog to instead wanting pet ants, stick insects and butterflies!
Kate and Amanda – converting people into bug lovers one kid at a time! Soon we shall take over the world!!! Mwuhahahahahaha! ….. Only kidding!…Maybe! 🙂
We are looking forward to hosting more bug stalls together in the very near future!
Until then……stay tuned for more fantabulous blog posts from the Natural Communities trainees!
Enjoy!