Forest of Bowland National Landscape

Pendle Summer Adventures Blog 
By Alison Cross – Outdoor Learning Officer - The Ernest Cook Trust

The Outdoor Learning project is led by the Outdoor Learning Officer, who is employed through the Ernest Cook Trust. ECT was founded as an educational trust by Ernest Cook, grandson of Thomas Cook (the travel agent), in 1952. The head office is based on the Fairford Estate in Gloucestershire. ECT's vision is inspiring young people to achieve better education and life outcomes by learning from the land. In order to increase this reach they have begun to partner with a range of organisations in different parts of the UK, hence their involvement with the Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership (PHLP). The Outdoor Learning Officer will provide a key role in broadening learning aspects of the PHLP, providing additional family activities and formal education methods to engage with the PHLP community.

I have had a great summer, exploring the local area, running family events and taking advantage of the lovely weather we have had. I am not a Lancastrian (home is originally Cheshire), so getting to know the local stories, wildlife, heritage and people of Pendle Hill has been really important.

Leading on from Cathy's blog, my first trip up Pendle Hill was more recent. The Pendle Hill Landscape team took me up in June. It was one of those beautiful clear days, and you could see for miles from the summit. Being able to see the Yorkshire Dales and Darwen Tower (which I have since been up), was spectacular. Of course I stopped many times on the way up to catch my breath and take in the views. I have since been up in the famous mist, where the new footpaths have helped me find my way to the trig point. Being able to hear fellow walkers, but not see them, was quiet eerie. The surprising moment is when people appear out of the mist just a few meters in front and you are able to say "oh we must be keen to walk up here in this weather!"

Summit back in June, during the path restoration work

I have had lots of meetings with the landscape partners, local teachers and community groups over the summer. This has provided me with ideas for the next four years of outdoor learning. To kick start the project I delivered some free family nature events at Spring Wood near Whalley and Victoria Park in Nelson. Thanks to all who attended with their children and grandchildren (and big kids too), over the six sessions.

At the start of August the children were inspired by natural art, such as Andy Goldsworthy's creations. (Do look him up, there are a few of his pieces nearby within the natural landscape.) We made our own land art work such as faces, houses and even a jungle. Hopefully these children have since made more land art in their own wild space. It is a lovely activity to do all year round.



Land art smiley face, inspired by Andy Goldworthy

The second event theme was minibeasts. For this we were joined by Emily from the Ribble Rivers Trust (one of our partners). She kindly brought along some water invertebrates, and these fascinated children and adults. We all loved watching the freshwater shrimps whizzing across the water surface. The underwater world is fascinating, as is the woody world. Children found lots of insects including woodlice, which interestingly have lots of colloquial names, such as billybuttons (do let me know what you call a woodlouse). Children then created some wonderful alien insects using natural resources and clay.

Looking at water invertebrates with the Ribble Rivers Trust



Minibeast creations from natural resources and clay,
one is a caterpillar, the other is a new species

Woodlice regional nicknames in the UK

Our last session was den building, we had a great attendance. Small and big dens were created, and I had the joy of pouring water over them to test if they were waterproof. Luckily most of them were. I hope the families became inspired to make their own dens at home and in local wild spaces. Just remember to return the wood to its natural habitat (take down the big dens), as it might be a billybuttons house.



Mini den building for little clay people the children made

Now the summer holidays are over, I am busy thinking about schools, planning Little Saplings sessions for under 5s, and many other outdoor learning opportunities as part of the landscape partnership scheme.

Our next Free Family Nature Events will be in October half term, follow us on our Facebook page or keep an eye on our website for the dates and details. We also have a big event on Saturday 6^th October 'Meet you at the top', suitable for families and people of all ages. Look out for posters and more info.

I hope you have all had a great summer (with or without little humans at your feet). I look forward to meeting more people either up the hill on October 6^th, at our future family events or just out and about in the Pendle hill area. Now, where did my pet billybutton go?