A community group in South Leeds is looking for keen volunteers who are interested in taking a ‘Walk on the Wide Side’ over the next few months.
The Friends of Skelton Grange are running a series of volunteer days and training events to create a new nature trail at Skelton Grange Environment Centre in Stourton.
This will include opportunities in traditional skills such as hedge laying, coppicing and planting to improve the wildlife area, as well as carpentry and artistic opportunities to create a pond dipping area, a giant mosaic sundial and even a musical play area with recycled instruments.
The project will launch on Friday 27th January with volunteers building a living tunnel by planting long rods of willow and weaving them together. The willow will root itself into the earth and grow fresh shoots and leaves, allowing visitors to experience, and go inside, a living artwork.
The group received a £26,000 grant from Groundwork UK and The Big Lottery to develop an exciting self-guided nature and discovery trail on the site at Skelton Grange Environment Centre.
Volunteer Elly Robinson said:
“The year-long project has been designed with seasons in mind, to allow volunteers to learn new skills, meet like-minded individuals and be a part of something that will benefit many people in the local surrounding community.
“Once complete, the trail can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, giving people a chance to embrace a natural environment in an industrial corner of the city.”
If you are interested in taking part, or for any further information, please contact the centre to book your free place on 0113 2430815, or email skelton@btcv.org.uk. Alternatively check out the website www.skeltongrange.org.uk.
