Pupils from nine primary schools in Monmouthshire, Newport
Woodland walks, narrow boat trips and a variety of science-based experiments were rounded off with a picnic lunch on the canal bank at Goytre Wharf
The special workshops, which ran for three days, were organised jointly by the Forgotten Landscapes Partnership and the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre as part of an on-going programme of events marking the canal’s 200th anniversary.
The Canal and River Trust (formerly British Waterways)) laid on a bridge-building exercise and a study of water-loving invertebrates while Keep Wales Tidy challenged pupils to consider the impact of litter on the environment.
Monmouthshire County Council’s countryside team and the Forestry Commission focused on wildlife habitats as part of an hour-long woodland walk and volunteers from Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Trust provided information about the canal, past and present, on boat trips in the ‘Edith-Elizabeth’.
“It’s a very special experience to move silently and slowly along a canal on the same eye-level as the ducks! “ said one Trust member.
Forgotten Landscapes Education and Interpretation Officer Ceri Cadwallader said: ‘We’ve had great feedback from both the children and their teachers. It’s great to see so many children enjoying the waterway during its anniversary year.’
There were divided opinions, of course, on the best activity of the day. Seven-year-old Carys from Llanfair Kilgeddin insisted it was ‘building a home for a hedgehog,’ while schoolmate Max thought it was definitely the boat trip – his first.
“It’s been a wonderful opportunity for all of them,” said teacher Mrs Sara Scriven. “They’ve learnt about everything from animal habitats and safety issues to how boats float!”
The activity days were possible thanks to all of the organisations who gave up their time to get involved, and also thanks to support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
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