which aimed to promote sustainable lifestyles and inspire the next generation.
Organised by Dove Workshop in partnership with Cwmdulais Uchaf Communities First and Maesmarchog, Blaendulais, Creunant Primary Schools and Ysgol Gymraeg Blaendulais, the main aim was to give children a practical experience to learn about environmental issues. The day took the shape of four interactive workshops; bee-house building, bird feeder making, vegetable bake tasting, and the story of the famous Banwen Weather Log.
Lead by Andrew and some of the Sarn Helen Garden Team, the bee-house making offered the children an opportunity to get involved with the construction of a simple home for individual bees and at the same time to learn about their importance to the pollination of plants and flowers. Groundwork (Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot) run a very hands-on session where the children made bird feeders from old pop bottles, promoting the benefits of re-use, rather than recycle. Cwmdulais Uchaf's Denise and Sarah facilitated a discussion about seasonal vegetables, coupled with a tasting of veg bake and apple muffins (they didn't get a muffin without trying the vegetables!). Finally, and with the support of my lovely assistant Shane, I held perhaps the most mentally interactive workshop, where they were challenged to consider all that goes in to the production of a pizza, from the ingredients and people, to the energy and natural resources. This workshop was finished off by introducing each group to the magical Banwen weather-forecasting log. Although that's another story...
A note of praise must be given for the children themselves, for they behaved impeccably and participated with enthusiasm, energy and intrepidness, bravely trying anything put before them. They also impressed with their knowledge on the subjects, knowing far more about power stations and pollen than I ever did at 7 and 8 years of age.
In my humble opinion the day was a tremendous success, in terms of organisation and participation, and early reports are that the children thoroughly enjoyed. Whilst the day was always about promoting local sustainability and environmental issues, a big outcome has to be the sustaining and strengthening of relationships, and in particular the working connections between so many organisations. Mutual support, good communication and a willingness to make things happen are the ingredients of the best examples of working in partnership. To see it happen with such consensus is indeed an achievement in itself.
DC
