This summer more than 300 primary schoolchildren from across Wealden are delving into the natural world of the Cuckoo Trail through a series of free art workshops.
The workshops are being delivered by Prowse & Co Ltd, which was commissioned by Wealden District Council.
The initiative is part of an Arts and Heritage outreach programme linked to the Cuckoo Trail and being delivered as part of Wealden’s allocation from the government’s Shared Prosperity Fund from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The creative workshops, which are designed to educate and inspire young minds, are based on a new Cuckoo Trail activity booklet. This educates children about the wildlife and vegetation along the Cuckoo Trail, explaining its evolution from a busy railway line to the popular greenway it is today.
Schools have been able to choose from several workshop options including Nest Building and Flower Pressing; Drawing with Ink; and Creating a Cuckoo Trail Collage. Children then use twigs, leaves and flowers collected from the Cuckoo Trail to produce their own wildlife or landscape art pieces, replica birds’ nests or drawings of those who lived and worked along the former railway line.
Children’s book illustrator and art facilitator Giulia Casarotto has collaborated with Prowse & Co. Ltd to create the new children’s activity booklet and deliver the workshops, which are planned to be rolled out to older Wealden residents too.
Councillor Kelvin Williams, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat), and lead councillor for Public Health, Wellbeing and Asset Management, said, “The Cuckoo Trail is a treasured part of our community, popular with walkers, cyclists, horse riders and accessible to everyone including scooter and wheelchair users.
“By engaging children in these workshops, we hope to foster a respect for nature and local heritage, whilst encouraging families to explore and enjoy the outdoors this summer. The best part is, it’s all free for everyone.”
Also planned for the summer is a new Augmented Reality Cuckoo Trail Experience, which will bring characters from the children’s activity booklet to life, offering an interactive and educational adventure for local families and visitors.
For more information, please visit https://www.explorewealden.co.uk/explore-our-nature/cuckoo-trail-art-workbook-p2186171
Notes to Editors:
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus